Accord Group customer magazine Summer 2016 11
OUR A-Z OF BENEFITS
Visit gov. uk / browse / benefits
ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE
Benefit paid to disabled people who need constant care at home. Contact the DWP Attendance Allowance Service Centre on 0345 605 6055.
BENEFIT CAP
Limit on the total amount of certain benefits you can get if you are of working age. It will only affect you if you’ re getting Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
CHILD & WORKING TAX CREDITS
Child Tax Credits are paid to people who have low income and are responsible for a child or children under 16, or under 20 if they remain in full time education. Working Tax Credits are paid to people who are working with a low income. You are eligible if you’ re:
n 25, single, work more than 30 hours per week and earn below a certain amount n 25, in a couple and you work 24 hours or more, with at least one of you working 16 hours, and earn below a certain amount n Between 16-24 and have children or a qualifying disability and earn below a certain amount.
DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE( DLA)
You can claim if you need help with care or mobility costs. How much you get depends on how much help you need. For 16-64 year olds DLA is being phased out and replaced with PIP.
EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE
Paid to people who are unable to work due to illness. You need to provide a sick note to claim, and you will have to attend a Work Capability Assessment.
HOUSING BENEFIT
Paid to people on low income to help with rent and housing costs. The amount awarded is based on your income, how many bedrooms you need, and if you have any non-dependent adults living with you. You may still be entitled to Housing Benefit even if you start work.
INCOME SUPPORT
Paid to people who have no or low income. You may be entitled if you are: n Between 16 and State Pension age n Pregnant or a lone parent with a child under 5 n A carer n A student n Sick or disabled.
JOBSEEKER’ S ALLOWANCE
Paid to people who are under State Pension age, unemployed or working less than 16 hours, available and looking for work.
PENSION CREDIT
Paid to people who have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, and have income below the amount the government says you need to live on. This is called Guarantee Credit. If you have reached the qualifying age, and have savings or a private pension, you may qualify for Savings Credit, if your total income is below a certain amount.
PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENTS( PIP)
This is paid to people between 16 and 64 who have a long-term health condition, which affects aspects of their daily living and mobility. You will have an assessment with a health care professional to decide how your daily living activities and mobility are affected by your disability.
UNIVERSAL CREDIT
This new benefit is gradually replacing Housing Benefit, Job Seeker’ s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support and Child and Working Tax Credits. It will be paid direct to you in a single monthly payment and you will then be responsible for payment of your own rent. How much you get is based on your circumstances and income. There is no limit on how many hours you can work and the amount of UC you receive goes up and down, depending how much you have earned. You can claim Universal Credit online when it goes live in your area. Visit gov. uk / universal-credit. Call the Universal Credit helpline on 0345 600 0723( textphone: 0345 600 0743) if you have any questions or your circumstances change.