Your entitlement
Written by Administrator
Date: Monday, 16 March 2009 11:56
In this article, we look at the state benefits you may be entitled to, and then take a closer look at entitlements which will help keep a roof over your head.
Claiming State Benefits
You may be entitled to a range of state benefits. It may not be much money, but it's worth investigating. We've done the work for you to find out what you can get and how.
Do I need to make a claim?
Yes, claim for benefits immediately. Even if you don't think you will qualify for payments, making a claim will avoid a gap in your National Insurance (NI) contributions and safeguard your pension rights in the years to come. Also, if you think you will need help with your mortgage payments, the sooner you claim, the sooner you will get this help.How do I make a claim?
The easiest way to make a claim is to ring 0800 0556688. The call will last about 40 minutes and is free from BT landlines. You will be asked for the following information:- Your National Insurance number
- About rent or mortgage
- Your past or present employment
- Details about income and savings
If you have hearing or speech difficulties, you can call a text phone number on 0800 0234888. Or, if you are allergic to call centres, you can also make a claim online or pick up a claim pack from your local Jobcentre Plus. However, neither of these options provides the guidance you will receive from an operator.
What can I claim for?
Entitlements vary from person to person, based on age, work history and personal circumstances.Job Seekers Allowance
To receive Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) you must be available for, and actively seeking, work. There are two types of JSA:- If you have paid enough NI contributions in the past two years, you will qualify for a Contributory JSA for 6 months, regardless of your savings or other household income. Self-employed contributions do not qualify. This is a personal allowance only but you can top it up with other benefits, depending on your circumstances. The amount you are paid will be affected by any money you earn or if you receive a personal pension of more than £50 per week.
- Income-based JSA is means-tested and is paid if you do not qualify for the Contributory allowance or after it runs out. The amount you receive depends on household income and savings:
- You can receive the full rate if your savings are less than £3,000 and reduced allowance with under £8,000.
- As well as your personal allowance, you can claim for your partner and apply for child tax credits for dependent children. Your partner cannot be working more than 24 hours a week.
- You can also qualify for a council tax rebate, rent allowance or help with your mortgage payments.
- You can receive the full rate if your savings are less than £3,000 and reduced allowance with under £8,000.
Income Support
To qualify for JSA, you must be available for work. If you are not available for work, for example you are a single parent or have caring responsibilities or a disability, you can qualify for Income Support.How much will I receive?
There are many variables and each individual is different. The following table lists the usual JSA rates per week for the tax year 2008-2009.| Single person |
Couple |
||
| Age |
Rate |
Age |
Rate |
| 16-24 |
£47.95 |
18+ |
£94.95 |
| 25-59 |
£60.50 |
60+ |
£189.35 |
| 60+ |
£124.05 |
People with disabilities can receive additional allowances and you can apply for Child Tax Credits for dependent children.
You are qualified to claim three days after you lose your job and payments are made fortnightly in arrears, either directly into your bank or by giro cheque.
Keeping the roof over your head
Council tax benefit
You can get a rebate of up to 100% of your council tax bill if you qualify for income support or job seekers allowance. Apply to your local council for this benefit.Housing benefit
If you rent your home and are on a low income, apply to your local council for housing benefit. If you rent from a private landlord, your benefit is worked out in a new way that is known as a Local Housing Allowance (LHA). In most cases the allowance is paid directly into your bank account and does not jeopardise your relationship with your landlord. Councils set a standard allowance for each area which is updated monthly and you can check the LHA for your area online. Your LHA is based on the members of your household. For example a couple with two children of the same sex can claim for a two-bedroomed property but if the children are mixed sex, they can claim for a three-bedroomed property. If you are lucky enough to have a low rent for your area you can even get to pocket some of the difference! For more information about LHA, visit the Direct Gov website.Help with your mortgage
If you qualify for means-tested benefits (either income-based JSA or income support), apply at the JobCentre Plus for help under the Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) scheme. After you have been unemployed for 13 weeks, the SMI will pay the interest portion of mortgages of up to £200,000. If you do not qualify for means-tested support, a new scheme has been approved that will enable you to defer a proportion of your mortgage interest payments for up to two years. You will have to pay this money eventually, but it will reduce your monthly outgoings in the short term. The government intends to launch the scheme in Spring 2009.
