Feeling the pinch? 4 - State Benefits - Help could be at hand

In their final instalment of a series of four articles aimed at helping those who have been adversely affected by the current economic climate, the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group looks at the state benefits which may be available, and how to claim them.

Introduction

This fourth and final article in our series of issues to consider if you have been affected by the recession looks at state benefits and what help you might be able to get. You should also consider the tax and tax credits points in our first three articles.This article also provides links to more detailed guidance on the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group’s (LITRG) website or other external websites such as DirectGov and a list of relevant contact numbers which you may find helpful.

State benefits

When you lose your job, you may be entitled to claim support from the state until you get back into work.  Particularly for the longer term unemployed, further assistance can also be available to help you back into work. You should contact your local Job Centre Plus for further information about your entitlements. Certain benefits (such as help with housing costs and school lunches) are administered by local authorities, so some of the links below direct you to contact them.
  
You may be entitled to claim Job Seekers Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, as well as other means tested benefits.

Qualifying for some benefits could also automatically entitle you to others, for example help with health costs, such as prescription charges, and free school lunches.

If you are aged 60 or over, you should check whether you are entitled to benefits such as Pension Credit and make sure you claim additional benefits such as the Winter Fuel Payment. 

If you are unable to work due to illness you should check whether you are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay; or Employment Support Allowance which was introduced in October 2008 and replaced Incapacity Benefit for new claimants.

Remember if you are claiming tax credits and become ill, you may continue to qualify for Working Tax Credit for up to 28 weeks.

These are just some pointers to help you start checking what help you might be able to obtain – other support may be available depending on your exact circumstances (for example, disability or ill-heath may also be factors in making benefits claims). Local advice agencies can help you to navigate your way through the benefits maze – try contacting your local Citizens Advice Bureau for a full benefits check to make sure you claim all of your entitlements.

Other knock-on effects of a change

If your income goes down, or you start receiving state benefits or tax credits, that can mean that you automatically become entitled (or ‘passported’) to other state assistance that you may not have considered. LITRG have previously written a number of articles on this subject. 

For instance, your children might become entitled to Education Maintenance Allowance or you might be able to apply for assistance with insulating your home under the Government’s Warm Front initiative. If your children are at college or university (or indeed if you are a mature student), entitlement to grants or student loans could also be affected, so make sure you review student finance options.

Useful telephone numbers

Jobcentre Plus benefit claim line
0800 0556688 (Textphone – 0800 023 4888)

Jobcentre Plus – help finding a job
0845 6060234 (Textphone – 0845 60 55255)

Winter fuel helpline
0845 915 15 15 (Textphone 0845 601 5613)

Pension Credit helpline
0800 99 1234 (Textphone 0800 169 0133)

Benefits Enquiry Line
0800 88 2200 (Textphone 0800 243355)

Benefits Enquiry Line – help filling in claim forms
0800 44 11 44

NHS help with prescription costs helpline
0845 8501166

NHS Scotland
0800 22 4488

Education Maintenance Allowance
0800 121 8989

Article Added Monday, 10 August 2009

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