What other help is available to me?

If you are on a low income or have no income at all, you may be entitled to receive help from the Government.

The main state benefits are:

Income Support

If you are aged between 16 and 59, on a low income and not working, or working on average less than 16 hours a week, you should claim Income Support. Savings over £8,000 usually mean that you cannot get Income Support. To make a claim, you should contact your local Job Centre Plus office for a application form.

Job Seeker's Allowance

If you are under 65 (for men) or under 60 (for women) and not working, or working on average less than 16 hours a week, you may be able to get Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA). You must also be capable of work, available for work and actively seeking work.
If you have paid or have been treated as having paid National Insurance contributions you may be able to get contribution-based JSA. If you are on a low income you may get income-based JSA, even if you have not paid NI contributions. Income-based JSA is based on now much the law says you need to live on.

Further information regarding Job Seeker's Allowance and other state benefits is available from your local Job Centre Plus office, or alternatively you can visit the Job Centre Plus website.

Pension Credit

If you or your partner are aged 60 or over you may be entitled to Pension Credit. Pension Credit provides a contribution to a guaranteed minimum income and rewards people aged 65 and over who have made modest provision for their retirement. Pension Credit is dealt with by the Pension Service, who can be contacted on 0845 6060265, or alternatively you can access the Pension Service website.

Tax Credits

Child Tax Credits are for people who are responsible for at least one child or qualifying young person. Child Tax Credit is paid direct to the person who is mainly responsible for caring for the child or children.
Working Tax Credit is for people who are employed or self employed (either on their own or in a partnership), who;

• usually work 16 hours or more a week
• are paid for that work, and
• expect to work for at least 4 weeks

and who are

• aged 16 or over and responsible for at least one child, or
• aged 16 or over and disabled, or
• aged 25 or over and usually work at least 30 hours a week

As part of Working Tax Credit you may qualify for help towards the costs of childcare.

The amount of Tax Credits you receive will depend on your annual income.

Tax Credits are dealt with by the Inland Revenue. You can apply online or telephone the Inland Revenue on 0845 300 3900

A more comprehensive list of all benefits and the qualification criteria can be obtained from the Department of Work and Pensions website.