Maximising your Income

Transcription

1 A GUIDE TO Maximising your Income FACTSHEET 1 Innovative solutions for homes and communities

2 MAXIMISING YOUR INCOME Are you having financial difficulties? If the answer is yes, then this leaflet can help you, by offering you advice to help make the most of your income and ensure you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to. People often wrongly assume they are not entitled to claim extra benefits. This is not always the case. In your local Contour Homes office there is a list of agencies that you can contact with regards to claims for Housing Benefit, Welfare Benefits and Debt Advice. They can help you with assessing your entitlement, completing your application and will help you deal with any problems. There are benefits to help you if you are ill, disabled or provide care for someone. There are also other benefits available if you are unemployed, have children and work, are over 60 years of age or if you are simply struggling to pay your rent and Council Tax. Your Rent Contour Homes is a registered social landlord. We provide accommodation at affordable rent for those who choose to live in our properties. When you accepted your tenancy you signed a legal agreement to pay your rent on time. If you don t pay your rent on time you have broken this agreement and we may take action against you which could put your home at risk. There are benefits you may be entitled to claim to help maximise your income so you can pay your rent efficiently.

3 Housing Benefit & Council Tax explained This is a benefit which is administered by your Local Authority Housing Benefit can be paid to either your landlord or yourself. It is a payment for either all or part of your rent You can get an application form from your local Council office or from your local Contour Homes office Your local Council benefits office can calculate if you may be entitled to claim If you are awarded any Housing Benefit remember it is a payment for your rent only Claiming Tips Provide all supporting evidence asked for when you claim as otherwise your application may be delayed or even suspended Backdating of a claim is only given for specific reasons so claim immediately you think you may be entitled If you are not entitled to Housing Benefit you may still be entitled to some Council Tax Benefit If you have a change in your circumstances e.g. a change in income or someone joins your household, you must tell the Council s benefit department as it could affect your claim If the Council write to you or contact you regarding your claim, please respond. If not, your claim could be stopped and this will put you into rent arrears Keep all proof of contact with the Housing Benefit department. That is receipts, letters and even keep notes. This may help you if a dispute arises as it is evidence of your claim If you need help making a claim, contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) or Welfare Rights Office as they can offer you advice and help All the above advice is the same if making a claim for Council Tax Benefit.

4 MAXIMISING YOUR INCOME What Other Benefits are out there to claim? We have provided a list of benefits you may be able to claim. If you think you may be entitled to any of the benefits listed, contact your local CAB or Welfare Rights Office and they will provide help and advice. Under 25 s - Single no Children Jobseekers Allowance, Housing and Council Tax Benefit, free prescriptions. Employment Support Allowance. Lone Parent over 16 Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Return to Work Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Free prescriptions, School meals, Maternity Allowance, grants. Families Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance, Free Prescriptions, Free School meals, Maternity Allowance, grants. Over 25 s - Under 60 no Children Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance, Free Prescriptions, grants. Sick and Disabled Employment Support Allowance, Statutory Sick Pay, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance (over 65), Disabled Working Tax Credit, Return to Work Credit. 60 and Over Pension Credit, Retirement Pension, Housing and Council Tax Benefit, Winter Fuel Payments, grants.

5 Jobseekers Allowance/ Income Support Jobseekers Allowance Benefits that can maximise your income Tax Credits Working Tax Credit is payable to those on a low income. If you have children you may be able to claim if you work 16 hours or more a week. If you are over 25 years old and have no children you must be working 30 hours a week to claim. If you are disabled you may be able to claim Disabled Persons Tax Credit if you work 16 hours or more. The amount you are awarded depends on your earnings. Child Tax Credit is paid to those with children and may also pay 80% of the cost towards childcare for those on a low income. To claim contact HM Revenue and Customs on Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) is a benefit paid to you if you are out of work. If you have lost your job, but paid full National Insurance contributions for two years you will qualify for contributory based JSA for six months. This does not take your partners income into account. If you have not paid full National Insurance for two years you claim non contributory JSA, but this depends on any partners income coming into your home. You have to sign on to receive the benefit every two weeks and have to be available for work. Income Support Income Support is paid to people who have children under the age of 7 that they care for. If you are a carer and claim Carers Allowance you may be entitled. Contact your local JSA centre to claim.

6 MAXIMISING YOUR INCOME Sick/Disabled Disability Living Allowance You must be under 65 to claim and have either mobility problems or caring needs because of your disability. Parents may claim for a child who is sick or disabled and under 16 years of age. If you are awarded this benefit it can make a great difference to your income and qualify you for other benefits. Employment Support Allowance This is a benefit paid to people whose ability to work is limited because they are ill or disabled. It has replaced Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid on the grounds of Incapacity. You must be 16 years or over to claim. To claim you must contact Jobcentre Plus to claim. Over 60 s Guaranteed Pension Credit If you are on a low income you may qualify. If you are claiming JSA at 60 it is better for you to claim Guaranteed Pension Credit. You will be entitled to full Housing and Council Tax Benefit and you no longer have to be available for work. Savings Credit This is paid when you or your partner is 65 or over dependant on your savings. To claim contact Pension Credit. State Retirement Pension You can claim your State Pension when you reach 65. Women born before 05/04/50 can claim at 60. The amount depends on your National Insurance Contributions. You should be sent a claim pack four months before you reach pension age. Attendance Allowance This is a tax free benefit for people aged 65 or over who are physically or mentally disabled and need help with their personal care or need to be looked after to remain safe. Private Employers Pensions If you have paid into a private pension scheme contact them to see if you may be entitled to claim. Remember that your private pension is treated as income for benefit purposes. If you are a Carer Carers Allowance If you are 16 years or over and care for someone for more than 35 hours a week and that person is in receipt of Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (certain rates) or Constant Attendance Allowance you may be entitled to Carers Allowance. The rules to claiming are complicated and it may affect the disabled person s income so you should seek advice first.

7 What s Next? Making a claim: Benefits are claimed by completing application forms and taking or sending them to the relevant benefits offices. This can be confusing so ask for advice either from your local CAB, Welfare Rights Service, the Benefit Enquiry Line or an appropriate professional. Do not delay in making a claim, because you do not have all the information. Certain benefits can start on the date you first contact your local benefits office in person, by letter or by phone. Send your claim in as soon as possible; if evidence is required further information to explain this will follow. Keep copies of any letters or forms you have sent and of those you receive. You may need these if you wish to challenge a decision. Remember to notify the relevant benefits department if your circumstances change. Useful Telephone Numbers Age UK Citizens Advice Bureaux Council Tax/Housing Benefit (contact your local council) Department of Work and Pensions Educational Welfare Services Social Services Job Centre Plus Pension Service (for claims relating to Retirement Pension and Pension Credit) Benefits Enquiry Line/Forms Completion Service Carer s Allowance Unit Child Benefit Enquiry Line Child Support Agency Disability Advice and Information Centre Disability Living Allowance/Attendance Allowance Unit NHS Direct Pension Credit Helpline Pensions Forecast Advice Line Shelter 24 Hour Helpline The Veterans Agency Helpline Tax Credits Winter Fuel Payments

8 If you have any difficulty reading or understanding this document, we can provide this copy in large print, Braille, audio, or you could request a translation. Please contact our Customer Contact and Support Team on RNID Text Relay Text phone user? Contact us via RNID Text Relay dial (There is no extra charge to your call) Quay Plaza 2 First Floor - Lowry Mall Salford Quays Salford M50 3AH Telephone: mail@contourhomes.co.uk MYI.H Contour Homes is an industrial & provident society (registered no.23607r) with charitable status. A member of Symphony Housing Group This paper is made from 100% recycled material