BENEFITS 1 Eastbourne Citizens Advice Bureau Financial Literacy
BENEFITS
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2 What are Benefits? Benefits are forms of financial support
paid by the state to individuals in need. Who can receive them?
Each benefit has its own eligibility criteria which decides who can
claim.
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BENEFITS 3 The Department for Work and Pensions The main
government department which deals with benefits is the Department
for Work and Pensions (DWP). They have local offices which are
sometimes combined with jobcentreplus. These offices deal with
queries and applications for benefits. For further information
visit www.dwp.gov.uk
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BENEFITS 4 Welfare Benefits system changes regularly. This
brief guide contains information which is applicable from March
2013. It is intended to give 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.
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BENEFITS 5 Jobseekers 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. Who can get it? People
who work less than 16 hours per week You cannot usually get JSA if
you are aged under 18 or over the state pension age. You must be
available for work, be actively seeking work, have a valid
jobseeker's agreement you must also attend the jobcentre to sign
regularly. You must not be under 19 and in education. How do I
claim it? You can complete the application online or over the
telephone (visit www.gov.uk for details). You will need to provide
certain documentation and attend an interview.www.gov.uk How much
is it? From April 2013 Under 25 56.80 ; 25+ 71.70 weekly. There are
additional amounts depending on your household (these amounts are
changed each year check for the latest figures) Further information
Visit www.gov.ukwww.gov.uk
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BENEFITS 6 STUDENTS AND JSA Most full-time students cannot
claim Jobseekers Allowance. In certain circumstances Jobseekers
allowance can be claimed: If you are single and responsible for a
child; If a student is one of a couple, both studying full-time and
looking after a child they may claim JSA during summer vacation if
one of the couple is actively seeking work during the summer. If
you are waiting to back to your course having taken approved time
out because of an illness or caring responsibility which has now
come to an end. 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 you should
consult a student welfare officer or your local jobcentre or DWP
office.
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BENEFITS 7 INCOME SUPPORT Income support is a benefit payable
to people aged from 16 to State Pension Age who are on a low
income. Who can get it? People aged from 16 to the State Pension
Age who are not available for work such as: lone parents, unable to
work because you are caring for someone, or 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 6000 affect how much income support you get. How do I claim
it? You can complete the application online or over the telephone
(visit www.gov.uk for details). You will need to provide certain
documentation and attend an interview. How much is it? From April
2013 18-24 56.80per week ; 25+ 71.70 per week. There are additional
amounts depending on your household (these amounts are changed each
year check for the latest figures)www.gov.uk Further information
Visit www.gov.ukwww.gov.uk
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BENEFITS 8 STUDENTS AND INCOME SUPPORT Students under 20 cannot
normally claim Income Support if they are in relevant education.
This means studying more than 12 hours per week up to A level
standard. However, you can claim Income Support if: you are
responsible for a child you have no parents, or you are 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 you should consult a student welfare officer or your
local jobcentre or DWP office.
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BENEFITS 9 STUDENTS AND INCOME SUPPORT (continued) Students in
full time study aged over 19 or studying above A level cannot
normally get Income Support. However, you may be able to get Income
Support if you are: A single parent or a single foster parent of a
child under 7 If, aged under 21, you have no parents, or you are
living away from your parents for reasons of safety or because they
cannot support you. 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 or DWP office.
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BENEFITS 10 EMPLOYMENT & SUPPORT ALLOWANCE If you are
unable to work because of illness or disability you may be able to
claim Employment & Support Allowance (ESA). This used to be
known as Incapacity Benefit. Who can get it? If you are aged 16 or
over and are under state pension age You have limited capability
for work You are not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay You are
ordinarily resident in the UK You can't get ESA if you or your
partner are getting Income Support, income-based Jobseekers
Allowance or Pension Credit. How do I claim? An initial claim for
ESA will usually be made by telephoning Jobcentre Plus. You usually
have to prove you cannot work by sending in medical certificates to
the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Most people will have a
face-to-face medical assessment with a healthcare professional to
decide if they satisfy the limited capability for work assessment
Further information visit www.gov.ukwww.gov.uk
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BENEFITS 11 HOUSING BENEFIT Housing Benefit is payable to
people living in the UK on a low income to help them pay their
rent. If you are receiving Jobseekers allowance, Income Support or
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 how much rent you pay, what
income you have coming in and where you live. It can also depend on
the total amount you get from all benefits. This is known as the
Benefit cap
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BENEFITS 12 Most students in full time education cannot claim
housing benefit. However, you may be entitled if: You are receiving
income support, income based jobseekers allowance or income based
Employment Support Allowance. You are under 19 and on a
non-advanced course I.e. below A Level Disabled qualify for a
disability premium A single parent or a single foster parent One of
a couple, both of whom are full-time students, responsible for a
child Students who qualify, can usually claim Housing Benefit even
if they rent their accommodation from their educational
establishment. STUDENTS AND HOUSING BENEFIT
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BENEFITS 13 COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION Council Tax Reduction is a
benefit for people on a low income to help them pay council tax. It
is paid by your local authority. If you are entitled to Council Tax
Benefit, your council tax bill is reduced. Who can claim? You must
be aged 18 or over, liable for council tax and your income must be
low enough You must have savings of less than 16,000. Most students
don't have to pay council tax, but there are a few situations in
which a student may be liable to pay. A student who is liable for
council tax can't usually get council tax 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
6,000 and 16,000 will reduce the amount of benefit you
receive.
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BENEFITS 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 need to be working a specified number of hours.
You can claim if you are self-employed. You may receive extra if:
you are a single parent you pay for childcare someone in your
household is disabled youre over 60 How do I claim? To apply for
Working Tax Credit, contact the tax credit helpline for an
application pack. The helpline number is 0345 300 3900. You can
also find out more info by visiting www.gov.ukwww.gov.uk
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BENEFITS 15 CHILD TAX CREDIT Child Tax Credit is a means tested
benefit for people with children, whether they are in or out of
work. You can get Child Tax Credit if your income is low enough and
you are responsible for at least one qualifying child. You do not
need to have a very low income to get some help from Child Tax
Credit, so most people with children get the credit The amount of
Child Tax Credit you get will depend on your circumstances and your
income You must be over 16 years old to claim. How do I claim? To
apply for Child Tax Credit, contact the tax credit helpline for an
application pack. The helpline number is 0345 300 3900 You can also
find out more info by visiting www.gov.ukwww.gov.uk
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BENEFITS 16 UNIVERSAL CREDIT (UC) Universal Credit (UC) is a
new benefit that will eventually replace many existing benefits and
tax credits. It is a single benefit that will be paid to you if
your income falls below a certain level. UC is means tested, so
payment will depend on other money your household has coming in.
The higher your income is, the less Universal Credit you'll get You
can claim if your income falls below a certain level and you:- Are
aged between 18 and the age that you can claim pension credit. Are
working - either employed or self-employed Are unemployed Are sick
or disabled Are caring for children or someone whos disabled
Housing Benefit Have savings under 16000.
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BENEFITS 17 What will it replace? Universal Credit will
eventually replace the following means-tested benefits and tax
credits: Income Support Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Child Tax
Credit Working Tax Credit Housing Benefit Some Social Fund payments
When will it be introduced? It will be introduced gradually for new
claims from October 2013. It's expected that UC will cover all
claims in England by 2017.
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BENEFITS 18 STUDENTS AND UNIVERSAL CREDIT Students will only
normally be able to claim UC if they: have dependent children are a
foster parent are a disabled student and meet certain requirements
have a partner whos entitled to UC have reached the age for Pension
Credit and have a partner whos entitled to UC are in non-advanced
education, aged 21 or under at the end of the academic year and
have no parental support
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BENEFITS 19 CHILD BENEFIT Child Benefit is paid to people who
have responsibility for a child. A child is: Someone under 16
Someone under 20 in full-time education Someone aged 16-17 who has
left school and has and registered for work or training with a
qualifying body such as the Careers or Connexions Service How much
will I receive? 20.30 per week for the 1st child 13.40 per week for
each additional child (as April 2013) With effect from January
2013, Child Benefit will still continue to be paid to everyone, but
if you're a higher-income family, you'll have to pay extra tax if
you choose to keep getting it. The extra tax you pay will
effectively cancel out some or all of your Child Benefit How do I
claim? Complete an application form which you can get from the
Child Benefit Office, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) Enquiry Centres
or Jobcentre Plus offices. The Child Benefit Office number is 0845
302 1444 You can download this form from the HMRC website at
www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit.www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit.
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BENEFITS 20 DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE Disability Living
Allowance (DLA) is payable to people aged under 65 who have
personal care needs or difficulty with walking (also called
mobility) because of either a physical or mental disability. DLA
has two parts, the care component and the mobility component 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?
Telephone the Benefit Enquiry Line run by the DWP on 0800 88 22 00,
You can also make a claim for DLA online at the Directgov website
at: www.gov.uk. You can also download a claim form from the
Directgov website to print off and fill in using a pen. Please note
that Personal Independence Payments ( PIP) will be gradually be
replacing DLA. This will happen on a phased basis when introduced
from April 2013 onwards.
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BENEFITS 21 PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENTS (PIP) Personal
Independence Payment (PIP) is intended to help with the extra costs
of having a long-term health condition or disability. You can get
PIP whether you are in or out of work. This will start to replace
Disability Living Allowance from April 2013 PIP will be made up of
two parts - a daily living component and a mobility component. You
could be entitled to both components. Within each component,
therell be a standard rate and an enhanced rate. Who can claim? You
can get PIP if you have a long-term health condition or disability
and are aged between 16 and 64 There are no particular health
conditions or disabilities that give you automatic entitlement to
PIP. A decision will be made about whether you get PIP depending on
your personal circumstances. How do I claim? In order to qualify
for either component, you'll need to be assessed by a healthcare
professional and score a certain number of points
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BENEFITS 22 CARERS ALLOWANCE Carers allowance is a benefit paid
to people who give regular care to someone who is ill or disabled
in their own 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 Carers
allowance if you are over 16 years of age and you are not in full
time education. You must spend more than 35 hours a week looking
after the disabled person. Basic allowance as at April 2013 is
59.75 per week How do I claim? You can claim online at:
www.gov.uk/carers, also by phoning the Carer's Allowance Unit on
0845 608 4321. You can collect claim form from local benefit
offices.www.gov.uk/carers
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BENEFITS 23 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.