Benefits check-up

There are thousands of people in the UK who are eligible for benefits but simple don't realise they qualify. Depending on your circumstances you may be able to claim the following benefits to help maximize income. The following links will help you complete your benefits check-up.

Changes to tax credits from April 2003

Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)

Are you capable of working, but out of work or working less than 16 hours a week? You may be entitled to claim Job Seekers Allowance. The requirements of claiming this benefit are that you must be actively seeking employment, attending the job centre every 2 weeks and have made sufficient national insurance contributions in the past. Contact your local job centre as soon as you become unemployed to see if you qualify for this benefit.

Income Support

Income Support is based on your level of income, it subsidises people aged 16-60 who are on low incomes. You can't claim this benefit if any of the following apply:

The amount of income support depends on your individual circumstances, for more information and to apply for income support contact your local benefits office. If your income reduces, claim immediately as you may lose money if you don't.

Working Tax Credit

This benefit,formally Working Family Tax Credit (WFTC) is for people who are working at least 30-hours a week but on a low income. Working tax credit can also be claimed if you are responsible for a child and the benefits can be used to cover childcare costs. As with other benefits the amount you get will depend on your circumstances. To apply for working tax credit you need to complete a TC600 form, available online www.hmrc.gov.uk/tax credits or from HM Revenue and Customs centres.

Child Tax Credit

If you have at least one child under 16 at the beginning of the tax year, you could be eligible for Child Tax Credit. Your child tax credit is based on the following:

You can't claim child tax credit if you earn more than £58,000 a year. You can apply for child tax credit online.

Child Benefit

This benefit is provided for each child you have and isn't means-tested. Child benefit can be received if you are raising a child under the age of 16 or if they are 19 and in full time education. Even if you aren't the parent of the child, but are responsible for them, you will still be entitled to child benefit. For details on claiming this benefit contact your child benefit office.

Incapacity Benefit

There are 3 types of incapacity benefit that determine how much benefit you can get; all amounts depend on your individual circumstances. Incapacity benefit can be claimed if you aren't able to receive statutory sick pay from your employer or you are out of work. The types of incapacity benefit are:

Disability Living Allowance

Disability Living Allowance or DLA is offered to those who have mobility restrictions to help those who require help getting around. Anyone after 5 years old and up to the retirement age can receive disability living allowance. You must have required help for at least 3 months and are likely to need it for a further 6months, in order to claim. The amount you would receive largely depends on how much your disability affects your day-to-day life.

Carers Allowance

Carers allowance can be claimed by anyone who is caring for a family member or friend for at least 35 hours per week. The person you care for must be receiving or in the process of claiming disability living allowance. Please note claiming carers allowance may reduce the amount of benefits received by the person you are caring for.

Council Tax Benefit

Council tax benefit contributes to the cost of council tax for those living in mortgaged or rented properties. The benefit is for those who are on a low income or in circumstances where a person living with you cannot afford to contribute towards the council tax. This is known as 'second adult rebate' and can only be claimed if the person living with you isn't your partner. If you are already claiming some form of benefit you will also be given a form to claim council tax benefit. For more details contact your local council.

Housing benefit

If you are on a low income or reclaiming other benefits, you could be eligible for housing benefit. The benefit can cover all or some of the rent or mortgage depending on your circumstances.You may not be able to claim housing benefit if you have over £16,000 in savings, you are in full time education or living with a friend/relative and are paying rent. To see if your entitled to claim housing benefit you need to obtain a form from your local benefits office.

Pension Credit

Designed to offer those over the age of 60 a guaranteed income, Pensions Credit could provide at least £109.45per week. It also rewards the over 65's if they have saved toward their retirement. Anyone aged 60 or over and live in Great Britain are entitled to Pension Credit. You can apply for your pension credits 4 months before your 60th birthday. You can apply for pension credits by calling the Pension Credit Application Line on 0800 99 1234 or visit www.thepensionservice.gov.uk

State Pension

A State Pension is payable to women aged 60 plus men aged 65 +. The single persons allowance is currently £75.50 a week and the married couple's allowance is £120.70 per week (although both partners may be entitled to a single persons pension). To qualify you need to have paid enough national insurance contributions throughout your working life. To give you a rough idea, you need to have earned a gross salary equal to that of a basic pension for most of your working life.

State Second Pension

Depending on your individual circumstances, you may be entitled to State Second Pension also called the Additional State Pension and formerly the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme. As its name suggests, State Second Pension is paid in addition to the basic State Pension. Up to April 2002 this benefit was based on your National Insurance contributions and your level of earnings as an employee. On 6 April 2002, the State Second Pension reformed SERPS to provide amore generous additional State Pension for low and moderate earners, and to extend access to include certain carers and people with long-term illness or disability.

For more advice on Pension Benefits visit the Pension Service website

If you are claiming one of the above benefits you may be entitled to more benefits contact your local Citizens Advice Bureaux for more advice.

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