Benefits

STATE PENSION

The State Pension gives you a regular income for the rest of your life. You can claim it when you reach State Pension age. However, you need to have paid enough National Insurance contributions in order to be paid the full State Pension.

Family and Children

CHILD BENEFIT

Child Benefit is a tax-free payment that is paid to most people with children. You are eligible if your child is under 16, or a young person under 20 if they are still in full-time education up to A Level equivalent or on certain approved training courses.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT PAYMENT

If your husband, wife or civil partner died on or after 6 April 2017 you may be eligible for Bereavement Support Payment which has replaced Bereavement Allowance, Widowed Parents Allowance and Bereavement Payment.

STATUTORY SICK PAY

Statutory Sick Pay is money paid to you by your employer if you are sick and unable to work.

Family and Children

CHILD TAX CREDIT

Child Tax Credit is a payment for people with children to help with the cost of looking after them and you can receive the payment whether or not you are in work. The amount you receive will depend on your circumstances and income.

BEREAVEMENT PAYMENT

Bereavement Payment is no longer available.

Uncategorized

ROADMAP OUT OF LOCKDOWN

On February 22nd the Prime Minister announced the government’s four-step roadmap offering a route back to a more normal life. The success of the vaccination programme together with the positive effect of the National lockdown means it will be possible to begin relaxing the current strict movement controls.

EMPLOYMENT & SUPPORT ALLOWANCE

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is a benefit for people who have illnesses or disabilities that make it hard for them to work

ADDITIONAL STATE PENSION (SECOND STATE PENSION)

The Additional State Pension is paid on top of the basic State Pension and is based on earnings. Known as State Second Pension (S2P) it was originally known as the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS).

WIDOWED PARENT’S ALLOWANCE

You may be eligible for Widowed Parent’s Allowance if your husband, wife or civil partner has died before 6 April 2017.

INCAPACITY BENEFIT

Incapacity Benefit has been abolished and you cannot normally make a new claim. If you cannot work because you are sick or disabled then you should claim Employment and Support Allowance instead.

PENSION CREDIT

There are two different types of Pension Credit – Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. You may be eligible to receive one or both of them depending on your individual circumstances. You may receive more if you are disabled, have caring responsibilities or certain housing costs, such as mortgage interest payments.

Family and Children

HEALTH IN PREGNANCY GRANT

The Health in Pregnancy Grant is no longer available. The government stopped this grant from January 1, 2011.

BEREAVEMENT ALLOWANCE

You may be eligible for Bereavement Allowance if your husband, wife or civil partner has died before 6 April 2017 and you are over 45, below state pension age and you do not have dependent children.

DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE (FOR CHILDREN)

Disability Living Allowance is money for those people who have personal care needs or difficulty with walking. DLA is gradually being replaced by Personal Independent Payment and you can only make a new claim for DLA if you’re claiming for a child under 16.