Benefits
What are benefits?
The Department for Work and Pensions
The welfare benefits system
Jobseeker’s allowance
Students and JSA
Income support
Students and income support
Full-time students and income support
Incapacity benefit
Housing benefit
Students and housing benefit
Council tax benefit
Working tax credit
Child tax credit
Child benefit
Carer’s allowance
Disability living allowance
Changes of circumstances
Further information
[1]
Benefits
[2]
What are benefits?
Benefits are forms of financial support paid by the state to individuals in need.
Who can receive them?
To receive benefits you have to meet certain conditions.
For more information about who can claim benefits visit www.dwp.gov.uk
[3]
The Department for Work and Pensions
The main government department that deals with benefits is the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
They have local offices that are sometimes combined with Jobcentre Plus.
These offices deal with queries and applications for benefits.
For further information visit www.dwp.gov.uk
[4]
The welfare benefits system
The welfare benefits system changes regularly.
This brief guide gives a quick outline of the main benefits available. It is not a complete guide to each benefit.
Always check the official sources for the latest information www.dwp.gov.uk or www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
[5]
Jobseeker’s allowance
Jobseeker's allowance (JSA) is a benefit for people who are unemployed and are required to be available for work.
JSA is the equivalent of what was previously known as unemployment benefit or the dole.
To get JSA you must:
• be capable of work, available for work and actively looking for work
• be 18 years old or over and under pension age
• have a valid jobseeker's agreement
• not be in certain kinds of education.
How do I claim it?
Contact your local jobcentre or Jobcentre Plus office. You will need to complete
a form, provide certain documentation and attend an interview.
For more information visit www.dwp.gov.uk or www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
[6]
Students and JSA
Most full-time students cannot claim jobseeker’s allowance.
But in certain circumstances students can claim jobseeker’s allowance.
• If a student is one of a couple, both studying full-time and looking after a child. JSA may be claimed during the summer vacation if one of the couple is actively seeking work during the summer.
• If a student stops studying full-time in order to care for someone who is ill.
• If you are studying part-time and you are actively seeking work, you may be able to get JSA. This will also depend on the number of hours you study.
For further advice consult a student welfare officer, the local jobcentre, Jobcentre Plus office or local DWP office.
For more information visit www.dwp.gov.uk or www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
[7]
Income support
Income support is a benefit payable to people aged from 16 to 60 on a low income.
Who can get it?
People aged from 16 to 59 who are not available for work such as:
• lone parents
• sick or disabled
• unable to work because you are caring for someone
• registered blind.
People whose partner works more than 24 hours per week cannot usually get income support.
If they work less than 24 hours per week their earnings affect the amount of income support paid to you.
Savings over £3,000 may affect how much income support you get.
How do I claim it?
Contact your local jobcentre, Jobcentre Plus office or local DWP office.
You will have to complete a form and provide certain documents.
For more information visit www.dwp.gov.uk or www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
[8]
Students and income support
Students under 19 cannot normally claim income support if they are in education. This means studying more than 12 hours per week up to ‘A’ level standard.
However, if you are under 19 you may be able to claim income support if:
• you are responsible for
a child
• you have a disability
• you are an orphan, or living away from your parents for reasons of safety
or because they cannot support you.
• you are a refugee learning English for up to 9 months
• you are aged 18 and have recently left local authority care.
For further advice consult a student welfare officer, the local jobcentre, Jobcentre Plus office or local DWP office.
For more information visit www.dwp.gov.uk or www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
[9]
Full-time students and income support
Students in full-time study aged over 19 or studying above ‘A’ level cannot normally get income support.
However, if you are over 19 you may be able to get income support if you are:
• disabled – qualify
for a disability premium
• a single parent or a single foster parent
• a refugee learning English for up to 9 months
• from abroad and your money has been temporarily disrupted.
For further advice you should consult a student welfare officer or your local jobcentre, Jobcentre Plus office or DWP office.
For more information visit www.dwp.gov.uk or www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
[10]
Incapacity benefit
If you are unable to work because of illness or disability you can claim incapacity benefit. Usually you must have paid enough National Insurance contributions to be eligible.
• If you are aged 20 or less and you have been unable to work for 28 weeks due to ill health, you can claim incapacity benefit in youth regardless of how much National Insurance you have paid.
• If you are aged between 21 and 25, were in full-time education for at least three months before age 20 and have now left, you can also claim incapacity benefit in youth if you have been unable to work for 28 weeks.
• If you have not paid enough National Insurance you may be able to claim income support instead.
How do I claim?
To make a claim contact your local jobcentre, Jobcentre Plus or DWP office.
You will need to complete a form and provide relevant documents. You may be asked to attend a work-focused interview.
For more information visit www.dwp.gov.uk or www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
[11]
Housing benefit
Housing benefit is payable to people on a low income who rent their home.
If you are receiving jobseeker’s allowance, income support or are on a low income you may be entitled to claim housing benefit.
Who can claim?
• You must have savings of less than £16,000.
• You must be the person liable to pay rent.
• You must not be renting from a close relative.
How do I claim?
Apply to your local council. You will have to complete a form and provide relevant
documents.
How much housing benefit will I receive?
This depends on your rent and your income and any possible deductions. The maximum
is your full rent.
For more information visit www.dwp.gov.uk or www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
[12]
Students and housing benefit
Most students in full-time education cannot claim housing benefit.
However, you may be entitled if:
• you are receiving income
support or income based jobseeker’s allowance
• you are under 19 and on a non-advanced course, eg below ‘A’
level
• disabled – qualify for a disability premium
• a single parent or a single foster parent.
Students cannot claim housing benefit if they are living in accommodation provided by the educational establishment such as halls of residence.
For more information visit www.dwp.gov.uk or www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
[13]
Council tax benefit
Council tax benefit is payable to people who are liable for council tax and are on a low income.
Who can claim?
• If you are receiving income support or income-based jobseeker’s
allowance.
• If you are on a low income and you have savings of less than £16,000.
Students who live with other students are exempt from council tax and therefore not entitled to benefit.
How do I claim?
Apply to your local council. You will have to complete a form and provide relevant
documents.
How much will I receive?
This depends on your council tax liability and your income. Savings between
£3,000 and £16,000 will reduce the amount of benefit you receive.
For more information contact your local council, visit www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/Local councils
[14]
Working tax credit
If you are working but on low pay you may be able to claim working tax credit (WTC) to top up your income. You can also claim if you are self-employed.
You can claim if:
• you are a single parent
• you pay for childcare
• someone in your household is disabled
• you are over 50
you may receive extra.
How do I claim?
You can get an application form from your local Jobcentre Plus office.
Or phone 0845 300 3900 or textphone 0845 300 3909.
You can apply online at www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk
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Child tax credit
Child tax credit is a means-tested allowance for parents and carers of children or young people who are still in full-time education.
If you are responsible for a child and your household income is no more than £58,000 a year (£66,000 if you have a child under one year) you can claim child tax credit.
You must be over 16 years old to claim.
How do I claim?
To claim phone the Tax Credits Helpline: 0845 3003 900 or textphone 0845 3003
909.
You can apply online at www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk
[16]
Child benefit
Child benefit is paid to people who have responsibility for a child.
A child is:
• someone under 16
• someone under 19 in full-time education
• someone under 18 who has left school and has and registered for work
or training with the Careers or Connexions Service.
How much will I receive?
How much you receive depends on how many children you have.
How do I claim?
Complete a form available from your local DWP office or Child Benefit office
www.hmrc.gov.uk/child benefit/contactus.htm
Also you can phone 0845 302 1444 or textphone 0845 302 1474.
Or claim online at www.dwp.gov.uk
[17]
Disability living allowance
Disability living allowance (DLA) is payable to people aged under 65 who have difficulty taking care of themselves or who have trouble getting around (mobility).
• You can claim in your own right if you are aged 16 or over.
• If you are under 16 year old someone else can claim for disability living allowance for you.
How much will I get?
There are several different amounts for mobility and care. Depending on your
circumstances you may receive a combination of these amounts.
How do I apply?
Contact your local DWP office or Jobcentre Plus to obtain an application form.
You can download a claim form from www.dwp.gov.uk[18]
Carer’s allowance
Carer’s allowance is a benefit paid to a person who gives regular care to someone who is ill or disabled at home.
• The person you are caring for must be receiving attendance allowance or constant attendance allowance or the middle or higher rate of disability living allowance.
• You can claim carer’s allowance if you are over 16 years of age.
• You must spend more than 35 hours a week looking after the disabled person.
How do I claim?
Complete form DS700 which is available from local DWP office.
Or it can be downloaded from www.dwp.gov.uk [19]
Changes of circumstances
If your circumstances change, such as the amount of money you earn goes up or down you must inform the relevant benefit office.
These changes may affect the amount of benefit you are entitled to.
Benefit fraud
If you give false or misleading information, or fail to report a change of circumstances
that could affect your benefit entitlement, you may be committing benefit fraud.
• If you are paid more benefit than you are entitled to you may have to repay it.
• Your circumstances can be checked at any time while you are claiming.
• Benefit fraud is a criminal offence and you can be prosecuted or asked to pay a penalty.
• If you are being investigated for benefit fraud, your benefit may be suspended.
• Always make sure that the information you provide for benefit claims is accurate and correct.
• If your circumstances change remember to inform the office that pays your benefit.
• If you are unsure whether a change has to be reported ask the office that pays your benefit. Further information
For more information visit:
Direct Gov www.direct.gov.uk
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) www.dwp.gov.uk
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) www.hmrc.gov.uk
Jobcentre Plus www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau www.adviceguide.org.uk
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