Loserville guide to Benefits & Tax Credits – Quick before Cleggy & Cam cut em!

Ok, so this writer has never been to the job centre or civic centre to claim any benefits I have been entitled to. I recently went on a finance course which taught me that I actually was entitled to certain benefits in the UK. I don’t know what it was before, maybe shame, maybe fear of going to the office, maybe the thought that I would get a job too quickly to make it worthwhile. Anyhoo I learnt some jazzy things and here they are distilled for you…

Income support:

You must be aged 16-60 and meet one of the conditions for eligibility such as being a lone parent or carer. You can work part time up to 16 hours a week on Income support. How to claim: call Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 66 88.

Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance (IBJSA):

Is to provide a minimum  level of income for basic living expenses if you do not qualify for Income support. You must demonstrate you are capable of and seeking work and not have more than £16000 in savings capital. How to claim: call Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 66 88.

Working Tax Credit:

You may qualify if you are on a low income, the amount depends on how many hours you work, the level of income, whether you have a disability and whether you have children. You  may qualify if you: work 16 hours a week and are either: responsible for a child, have a disability, over 50 returning to work or are over 25 or over and work at least 30 hours a week.

Council Tax Benefit:

If you qualify for any of the above you normally get 100% of the council tax paid. How to claim: ask your local authority Housing benefit office for a claim form and return it.

Housing Benefit:

If you get any of the above benefits you should qualify for 100% of the Housing Benefit. How to claim: ask your local authority Housing benefit office for a claim form and return it.

DWP Social Fund:

The Discretionary Social fund can provide loans and grants usually to people on other benefits listed above.

More information can be found by contacting/visiting:

Direct.gov.uk: http://www.direct.gov.uk

Citizens’ Advice: 020 7833 2181 http://www.adviceguide.org.uk