The benefits that you will be able to get will depend upon your individual circumstances. Listed below are some of the main benefits that you may be able to get.
Housing and Council Tax Benefit
Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
Paid to people who are unemployed, willing and able to take up work immediately and actively seeking work. There are some concessions on the number of hours you can be expected to work : normally 40 but down to a minimum of 16 hours if a carer or there are limiting health or disability needs. You will have to sign a Jobseekers Agreement with Jobcentre Plus.
There are two types of Jobseekers Allowance - contribution-based and income-based Jobseekers Allowance. Contribution-based Jobseekers Allowance is paid if you have paid (or been credited with) enough National Insurance contributions in the appropriate tax years before you claim. Contribution-based JSA is not means-tested and can be paid regardless of what your partner’s circumstances are but it is only paid for 6 months.
Income-based JSA is means tested and will be affected by most income that you and your partner have. Income-based JSA is not paid if you have savings over £16000 and if you work 16 hours per week or more or your partner works 24 hours per week or more. Income-based JSA can help with mortgage payments.
If you have a pension payment from an occupational or personal pension scheme any amount over £50 a week will be deducted from your contribution-based JSA entitlement and the whole amount would be offset against income-based JSA.
JobCentrePlus - Working Age Benefits
Income Support
Paid to people under the age of 60, who do not have to sign on because they are not expected to find work, for example because you are sick, a carer or a single parent and your child is below a specified age. The benefit is means tested and will be affected by most income that you or your partner have coming in. Cannot be paid if you work 16 hours or more per week and/ or your partner works 24 hours or more (except in some very limited circumstances for certain disabled people). Cannot be paid if you have savings over £16000. Income Support can help with mortgage interest payments, but not from the start of your claim as you normally cannot get help for the first 9 months of your claim except in some circumstances.
JobCentrePlus - Working Age Benefits
Tax Credits
If you are not working, Working Tax Credit can be paid if your partner is working at least 16 hours per week and you have children or they have an illness or disability or they are working at least 30 hours per week and are 25 or over. There are special rules if you are 50 or over and work at least 16 hours per week. Child Tax Credit can be claimed if you have at least one dependant child. Tax Credits are paid by the Tax Credit office, who are part of HM Revenue & Customs. If you have been working and you have now stopped, you will need to let the Tax Credit Office know so they can adjust the amount of Child Tax Credit you may now be entitled to (especially if you are one of a couple and your income has now dropped).
Tax credits - HM Revenues & Customs
Housing and Council Tax Benefit
Paid if you are responsible for rent and/or council tax and you are on a low income. It is a means tested benefit and cannot be claimed if you have savings over £16,000 (There are special rules if you are 60 or over) This benefit is claimed from the Local Authority. You can claim housing benefit on any type of tenancy. You can claim council tax benefit if you are a tenant or a homeowner.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - Housing Benefit
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - Council Tax Benefit
Hounslow Council Tax benefit
Health Benefits
These can be claimed if you are on a low income and need help with prescription costs, dental or opticians fees, travelling to hospital or surgical aids.
JobCentrePlus - Working Age Benefits
If there is someone in the family who is sick or disabled see also the section on Benefits - sick or disabled.
The benefits and tax credits that you may be able to apply for will depend upon your circumstances. If you are not sure about anything you should always seek advice. You can call us on our public helpline number 020 8583 5016.
For Further information please refer to:
Welfare, Benefits and Debt