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Thursday, 5 November 2009

Money, tax and benefits

Money, tax and benefits

Income Support

If you can't be available for full-time work and don't have enough money to live on, you may be able to get Income Support benefit. Whether you qualify or not and how much you get depends on your circumstances.

Who is eligible?

You may be able to get Income Support if you're aged 16 to 59 and any of the following apply:

  • you're a lone parent
  • you're registered sick or disabled
  • you're a student and either a lone parent or disabled
  • you're caring for someone who's sick or elderly
  • you’re pregnant and your baby is due within the next 11 weeks, or you have given birth recently and your baby was born within the last 15 weeks

and the following apply:

  • you don't have savings of £16,000 or more
  • you're not working, or work on average less than 16 hours a week

You may also be entitled to Income Support if you have a low income and:

  • you're sick and your Statutory Sick Pay is less than the amount of Income Support you would be entitled to
  • you or your partner or civil partner are not working because of parental leave
  • you're on paternity leave

Between 2010 and 2020 the maximum age up to which men and women will be able to receive working age benefits will rise in line with the increase in women’s State Pension age from 60 to 65.

Changes to Income Support for lone parents

There are changes to Income Support that may affect your entitlement if you're receiving it because you're a lone parent. You can find more details by following the link below.

Where to get advice

To find out if you qualify for Income Support, contact your local Jobcentre Plus office or benefits office.

If you prefer, you can talk to an adviser at the Citizens Advice Bureau.

Who isn't eligible?

If you work on average more than 16 hours a week, or have a partner or civil partner who works on average 24 hours a week or more you can't usually claim Income Support.

How much do you get?

The amount of Income Support you may get varies according to your individual circumstances. Some factors that can affect how much you'll get include:

  • your age
  • if you live alone or as a couple
  • age and income of non-dependants living with you
  • disability - including disability of dependants
  • if you're caring for someone
  • any savings over £6,000 you or your partner or civil partner have
  • any earnings you or your partner or civil partner have

How it's paid

Income Support is paid directly into your bank, building society, Post Office® or National Savings account that accepts Direct Payment.

But you can get cheque payments cashable at a Post Office®  if you're unable to open or manage an account.

From April 2009 Jobcentre Plus are introducing changes to the day and how often you are paid Income Support. The changes could move the day you are paid, this day will be determined by your National Insurance number. The changes also mean you will be paid at least every two weeks. For more information follow the link below.

Effect on other financial help

If you're entitled to Income Support, you automatically qualify for:

  • free dental care
  • free prescriptions
  • free school meals
  • Housing Benefit
  • Council Tax Benefit

How to claim

Call 0800 055 6688 (8.00 am - 6.00 pm Monday to Friday). A textphone service is available if you have a speech or hearing impairment 0800 023 4888.

Or you can claim online, below.

Callback

After you've first spoken to an officer they'll call you back to book an appointment for you to see a financial assessor and personal adviser.

The financial assessor will check you've given all the information to support your claim before your work-focused interview with a personal adviser who'll help you find work.

What to do if your circumstances change

Tell your Jobcentre Plus office or benefits office as soon as any of the following apply:

  • you go into or come out of hospital
  • someone you get benefit for goes into or comes out of hospital
  • you go into a care home
  • you go abroad to live or as a visitor
  • you start working, or your working hours change, even if it is voluntary work
  • you gain capital (including savings and investments) for example property is left to you

How to appeal

If you're refused Income Support or think your benefit has been calculated wrongly, you can ask the office that dealt with your claim to reconsider the decision.

If you're still unhappy with the outcome, you can appeal by filling in leaflet GL24 'If you think our decision is wrong'.

Employment and Support Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) was introduced on 27 October 2008. It replaced Incapacity Benefit and Income Support, paid because of an illness or disability, for new customers only. It has been designed to help you achieve your full potential and help you to gain independence from benefits.

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