This is some very basic information about benefits. There are many rules and conditions to most benefits and they can and do change. It is always worth getting independent advice about what benefits you may be entitled to, and help filling in the form, or about appealing against a decision. You can get this either from a Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB), or from another advice service.
You may be entitled to several benefits at the same time.
If your application for a benefit is turned down you can appeal against this decision. Again, get advice on the best way to do this.
You can claim housing benefit if you pay rent and are on a low income. Apply to Leeds City Council. The amount you get will depend on your income (and your partner’s income if you have one), your savings, the number of children that live with you, any other people in the household, whether someone in your family is ill or has a disability.
You can claim council tax benefit if you are on a low income and pay council tax.
If you live on your own or just with children, your Council Tax bill should be reduced by 25%. There can be reductions in council tax in respect of people with disabilities, and exemptions for people living in certain types of properties (e.g. student halls of residence).
To claim these benefits contact Leeds City Council General Enquiries on _0845 127 0113 or_247 7247 Mon-Thurs 8.30am-5pm (closed Wednesday between 3pm-4pm); Fri 8.30am-4.30pm.
You may be able to claim Income Support if you are aged between 16 and 60, on a low income and not in full-time paid work. Tops up your household’s income to a level that the law says is enough for you to live on. You can get Income Support if you are incapable of work and in certain other circumstances. It is a “passport” to other benefits.
If you cannot work because of ill-health or a disability you may be able to claim Incapacity Benefit. It is usually paid based on the National Insurance Contributions you have been paid or credited. (Note: As from October 2008, Employment and Support Allowance will replace Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid on the grounds of incapacity, for new claimants
A tax-free benefit for children and adults who need help with personal care, or have difficulties walking because they are physically or mentally disabled. You can get it whether or not you work and it is not usually affected by any savings or income you may have.
DLA is made up of a mobility component (if you cannot walk or need help walking around) and a care component (if you need help looking after yourself). Each has different rates of payment depending on how your disability affects you. You need to be under 65 to claim DLA.
A tax-free benefit for people aged 65 or over who need help with personal care because they are physically or mentally disabled. The amount you get depends on how much your disability affects you. There are two rates of payment, the Higher Rate and the Lower Rate.
If you are available and actively looking for (seeking) work you can claim Jobseeker’s Allowance. If you have paid enough national insurance contributions in the past you may be able to get contribution-based JSA. If your income and savings are below a certain level you may be able to claim income-based JSA.
This is paid to you once you reach the age of 60 (women) or 65 (men) based on National Insurance contributions. (Note: The state pension age for women will gradually increase from 2010 so that by 2020 it will be 65.)
To claim these benefits you can contact JobCentre Plus on_0800 055 6688 or_0800 023 4888 (textphone). Mon-Fri 8am-6pm You can also apply online at www.dwpl.gov.uk/eservice
You can claim Carer’s Allowance if you are aged 16 or over and spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a person getting Attendance Allowance or Disability Allowance (at the middle or highest rate for personal care).
To claim Carers Allowance contact the Carer’s Allowance Unit on_01253 856123 or_01772 562202 (text phone). Mon-Thurs 9am-5pm, Fri 9am- 4.30pm.
This benefit is for low or middle-income families who have children. Nine out of ten families with children qualify. How much you get depends on a number of things including your income, how many children you have, and if a child is disabled.
If you are in work but on low pay, you can apply for WTC to top up your earnings. There are various conditions relating to hours worked, health, disability and children. Can include payments towards child care costs.
Pension Credit (PC)
For people aged 60 or over. It is similar to Income Support but is more generous with regard to assessing your income and savings. There are no restrictions on the hours you can work but income from any work you do will be taken into account when calculating your eligibility or how much you receive.
To find out more about how to claim Tax Credit’s contact the Inland Revenue on_0845 300 3900 or_0845 300 3909 (textphone)
If you receive Income Support, Income-based Job-seeker’s Allowance or in some circumstances, Tax Credits you are entitled to :
There are no prescriptions charges for people aged over 60, under 16 or under 19 in full time education, or for people who suffer from one of a very few specific chronic health problems.
If you have to pay for your prescriptions, you may be able to reduce the cost by buying a pre-payment certificate. Application forms for this are available at chemists.
If you obtain your medication from the hospital pharmacy there are no prescription costs.
Pregnant women or women with a child under 12 months of age can apply for a certificate to exempt them from prescription and dental charges.
If you do not get automatic help or exemption from charges you may qualify for help under the NHS low-income scheme. To apply you need to complete form HC1 available from local benefits offices, NHS hospitals, GPs, dentists, opticians, pharmacists or, for copies of HC1(SC), local authority care homes. They are also available from the Health Literature Line of the Department of Health on_0870 155 5455.
These grants are to help you get back on your feet in the community, after you’ve been, for example, in hospital, residential care or prison. You could get a grant to buy things like furniture, bedding, clothes and carpets. You could also get a grant if you’re at risk of going into hospital because you haven’t got the things you need to cope at home. You may be eligible for a grant if you are getting any of the following - Income Support, income-based Job Seekers Allowance or Pension Credit.
An interest-free loan intended to help you spread the cost of one-off expenses that you are unable to pay such as furniture, household items, clothing or footwear. You may be eligible for a loan if you are getting any of the following - Income Support, income-based Job Seekers Allowance or Pension Credit.
An interest-free loan that may be available to anyone whether or not they get benefit, who need help to meet expenses in an emergency or as a consequence of a disaster.
Going into hospital usually means your benefits are reduced, sometimes quickly, sometimes over a longer period. This can make it difficult for you to pay your rent and other bills, so you may want to get some advice. The law says that you as claimant are responsible for letting the Benefits Agency know that you are in hospital.
If you are claiming benefits due to being incapable of work it is still possible to do what the DWP call Permitted Work and still be viewed as incapable of work. There are strict rules governing how much you can earn and how long you can work for. Income from Permitted Work can affect benefits such as Income Support and Housing Benefit. Get advice from the Benefits agency or an advice agency before deciding to do any Permitted Work. (See also details on Disability Alliance website www.disabilityalliance.org)
You are allowed to do voluntary work if you are getting incapacity benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, National Insurance Credits or Income Support because of incapacity for work. You must not be paid for the work other than expenses reasonably incurred by you in connection with that work. There is no limit to the number of hours you can volunteer. If you are getting Income Support on grounds other than incapacity you can still do voluntary work but this must be for less than 16 hours a week. If you are signing on, working as a volunteer could help you show that you are actively seeking work. But you still need to show the Job Centre that you are available for work.
You can find details of your nearest Job Centre by calling JobCentre Plus on_0800 055 6688 or_0800 023 4888 (textphone) Mon-Fri 8am-6pm
Advice and support on how and where to claim these and other benefits can be found on the CAB’s website: www.adviceguide.org.uk/nbw/index/life/benefits