moneymatters Advice Service Benefits Quick Guide an easy reference to Benefit rates April 2016 Social Work Resources
Income Support (IS) and Income-based Jobseeker s Allowance (JSA) Income Support is a means tested benefit for people under pensionable age and on a low income working less than 16 hours per week who are not required to sign on for work. Income-based JSA is a means tested benefit which may be claimed by unemployed people under pensionable age on a low income. Single person: Under 25 57.90 25 or over 73.10 lone parent 18 or over 73.10 lone parent under 18 57.90 Couples: both under 18 57.90 both under 18 with responsibility for a child 87.50 one under 18, one 18 to 24 57.90 one under 18, one 25 and over 73.10 both 18 or over 114.85 Dependent children: Under 20 66.90 (.) (.) From April 2004 all additions for children are abolished and claims for Child Tax Credit should be made. Those receiving IS/IBJSA before 12/04/04 have the additions transitionally protected.
Premiums single couple Family 17.45 17.45 Pensioner 82.50* 122.70 Disability 32.25 45.95 Severe disability - one partner qualifies 61.85 61.85 - both partners qualify 123.70 Disabled child (per child) 60.06 (.) Carers (per carer) 34.60 Enhanced disability - single person 15.75 - couple 22.60 - child 24.43 (.) * JSA only Capital limit The capital limit is 16,000 with a weekly tariff income of 1.00 for each 250 (or part 250) over 6,000 of the capital limit. Any amount paid for a child (except family premium) will not be paid where the child has capital over 3,000. People living in residential care have their benefit entitlement calculated in the same way as someone living in their own home. Housing costs (owner occupiers) IS or IBJSA can be paid to help with the cost of interest paid on a mortgage or home loan but there will be a delay of 39 weeks before any housing costs can be paid. Seek advice.
Earnings disregards 5 disregard if single. 10 disregard if a member of a couple. 20 if claimant/partner qualify for a disability premium or claimant is a lone parent or is earning and receives a carer premium. If a carer premium is awarded to both the claimant and their partner, 20 can be disregarded from the total amount of their combined earnings. Other income disregards Up to 115.50 of permitted work earnings are disregarded. Certain benefits are disregarded completely (e.g. DLA/AA/PIP/CTC/Child Maintenance Payment/ Child Benefit). Kinship payments are completely disregarded. War Disablement Pensions disregard: - 100% for HB/CTRS - 10 for means tested benefits 10 of widowed mother/parents allowance, war widow s pension, Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payment.
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Personal allowances As for IS except: Single Any age (main phase) 73.10 Couple Both under 18 (main phase) 73.10 Both under 18 with child (main phase) 114.85 One 18 or over, one under 18 114.85 Claimant 25 and over, partner under 18 73.10 Claimant (main phase), partner under 18 73.10 Components Work related activity 29.05 Support 36.20 Premiums The Enhanced Disability, Severe Disability and Carers premiums can be paid with ESA and at the same rate as the Income Support Premiums. Pensioner Premiums single couple No component 82.50 122.70 With WRAC 53.45 93.65 With support component 46.30 86.50 Earnings disregards Claimant/partner in certain work 20 disregarded (seek advice) Permitted work earnings (up to) 115.50 disregarded.
Pension Credit A means tested credit for people of pensionable age and over on low incomes. Guarantee Credit Single 155.60 Couple 237.55 Severe disability (per qualifying person) 61.85 Carers 34.60 Savings credit threshold (over 65) Single 133.82 Couple 212.97 Maximum Savings credit award Single 13.07 Couple 14.75 Capital limit There is no capital limit. 1 for every 500 is assumed for each complete 500 (or part) in excess of 10,000. Housing costs Same as for Income Support except no waiting period applies. Earnings disregards 20 if claimant or their partner qualify for a carer premium or where claimant or their partner is registered blind or in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit or are a lone parent.
Child Tax Credit (CTC) A means tested tax credit for low income families with a dependent child/children. Family 545 Child (per child) 2780 Disability 3140 Severe disability 1275 Working Tax Credit (WTC) A means tested tax credit for full-time employees on low income. Rates per annum. Basic 1960 Couple/lone parent 2010 30+ hours 810 Disability element 2970 Severe disability element 1275 Childcare costs (70% of) 1st child 2nd child Thresholds First income threshold (WTC and CTC) 6420 First income threshold 16,105 (entitled to CTC only) First and second taper 41% Income disregard (rise) 2500 Income disregard (fall) 2500 175 weekly 300 weekly
Housing Benefit Non dependant deductions Age 18+ in remunerative work, weekly gross income: - less than 133.00 14.65-133 - 194.99 33.65-195 - 252.99 46.20-253 - 337.99 75.60-338 - 419.99 86.10-420 or more 94.50 Age 18 and over not in remunerative work on main phase ESA (IR), aged 25 and over in receipt of IS/JSA (IB) 14.65 No deduction applies if the non-dependant is: - normally resident elsewhere - receiving a training allowance in certain conditions - full time student during term time - under 18 years old - under 25 and receiving IS/JSA (Income-based)/ assessment phase ESA (IR) - in hospital for more than 52 weeks - in prison - on pension credit No non-dependant deduction applies if the claimant/ partner is registered blind or receives Attendance Allowance/DLA Care Component or PIP Daily Living Component.
Capital limit As for Income Support. There is no upper capital limit for claimant s in receipt of guarantee pension credit but a tariff income of 1 for every 500 above 10000 for those of pensionable age or over is applied including claimants in residential care. Any capital of a child or young person is ignored completely unless the claimant was receiving IS/IBJSA before 6 April 2004 (seek advice). Personal allowances As for Income Support except: Single Aged 16-24 57.90 Qualifying pension credit age to 64 155.60 Aged 65 or over 168.70 Couple Qualifying pension credit age to 64 237.55 One or both 65 or over 252.30 Entitled to main phase ESA Single 73.10 Couple 114.85 ESA components Work related activity 29.05 Support component 36.20 Family premium no longer awarded for new claims/changes from 1 May 2016.
Earnings disregards As for Income Support except: 15 of Widowed Mothers/Parents Allowance 17.10 for claimants eligible for Working Tax Credit and working 30 hours or more per week (except for lone parents who need only work 16 hours or more per week). * 20 for claimant/partner who qualifies for the severe disability premium or either of the WRA/support component 25 of earnings of lone parents not in receipt of IS/ JSA/IRESA/PC Childcare costs disregards Up to 175 of the cost of registered childcare for one child may be disregarded from earnings for certain working parents. If there is more than one child, the disregard is 300 maximum. * Other circumstances may also apply (seek advice)
Council Tax Reduction Scheme A means tested benefit for people on a low income who are responsible for paying Council Tax. Non dependant deductions Age 18+ in remunerative work, weekly gross income: - under 195 3.90-195 - 338 7.75-338 - 420 9.85-420 or more 11.80 Age 18 + not in remunerative work 3.90 Exceptions as for Housing Benefit In addition, no deduction applies if the non dependant: receives IS/JSA (Income-based) / ESA (IR) qualifies for a status discount (eg severely mentally impaired/under 20 and child benefit payable) full time student (including vacation period) Capital Limit 16000 Tariff Income: as for Income Support. Personal allowances As for Housing Benefit.
Council Tax Reduction Scheme cont d Disregards As for Housing Benefit. Childcare cost disregards As for Housing Benefit. Council Tax rates 2016/2017 Excluding water/sewerage charges and before any discounts applied. Max weekly Band CTRS A 734.00 14.08 B 856.33 16.42 C 978.67 18.77 D 1101.00 21.12 E 1345.67 25.81 F 1590.33 30.50 G 1835.00 35.19 H 2202.00 42.23
Non Means tested Benefit rates All non means tested benefit child additions were abolished and are now only available where they were claimed before 06/04/03. Benefit High Middle Low Attendance Allowance 82.30 55.10 Disability Living Allowance (No new claims for working age claimants from June 2013) Care component: 82.30 55.10 21.80 Mobility component: 57.45 21.80 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Enhanced Standard Daily living component: 82.30 55.10 Mobility component: 57.45 21.80 Retirement Pension (If reached state pension age on or before 06/04/16) Claimant Partner Child Standard Rate 119.30 65.70 *11.35 New State Pension (If reached state pension age on or before 06/04/16) Maximum amount 155.65
Benefit Claimant Partner Child Child Benefit eldest qualifying rate each other child 20.70 13.70 Guardian s Allowance 16.55 Incapacity Benefit Long-term 105.35 *11.35 Age addition: high rate low rate Industrial Disablement Benefit (100% rate) 11.15 6.20 168.00 Carers Allowance 62.10 36.55 *11.35 Jobseeker s Allowance (Contributory JSA) age under 25 age 25 and over Severe Disablement Allowance 57.90 73.10 74.65 36.75 *11.35 (Abolished for new claimants from 06/04/01) Age additions: higher rate middle rate lower rate 11.15 6.20 6.20 Statutory Sick Pay Rate 88.45 Earnings threshold 112.00
Benefit Claimant Partner Child Statutory Maternity Pay/Statutory Paternity Pay/ Statutory Adoption Pay Rate (maximum) 139.58 Earnings threshold 112.00 Maternity Allowance Standard rate 139.58 - Threshold for 30.00 variable rate Bereavement Benefits Widowed Mother s/ 112.55 *11.35 Parents Allowance Widowed Pension/ 112.55 Bereavement Allowance (maximum) Bereavement Payment 2000 *Dependant child s addition reduced by 3.65 if higher rate Child benefit is paid for that child. Admission to hospital If the claimant or a dependant are likely to be in hospital for more than 28 days, it is important that the Department for Work and Pensions and Benefits and Revenue are notified of a change of circumstances.
Universal Credit 2016/17 Standard allowance p mth Single (under 25) 251.77 Single (25 and over) 317.82 Couple (both under 25) 395.20 Couple (one aged 25 or over) 498.89 Carer element 150.39 Child element First child 277.08 Each other child 231.67 Additional amount for disabled child Lower rate 126.11 (Receives DLA or PIP any component rate) Higher rate 367.92 (Receives high rate care DLA or reg blind or PIP enhanced rate daily living component) Capability for work elements Limited capability for work 126.11 Limited capability for work related activity 315.60
Childcare costs element Max amount for 1 child 646.35 Max amount for 2 or more children 1,108.04 Housing element UC covers costs for both renters and owner occupiers. Many of the existing HB and housing costs rules still apply. For owner occupiers there is a waiting period of 9 consecutive assessment periods (seek advice). Housing costs contribution A standard non-dependant deduction will apply of 69.37 p mth for renters. No non-dependant deduction as per HB rules including claimant/partner in receipt of the daily living component of PIP. No non-dependent contribution will be made for the following non-dependants living with you: anyone under 21 lone parents with a child under 5 anyone getting State Pension Credit anyone getting Attendance Allowance, DLA middle or high rate care componenent or PIP daily living component anyone getting Carer s Allowance prisoners on temporary release anyone certified as blind or severely sight impaired
Earnings disregard Claimants are only allowed one earnings disregard (whichever is highest) Work Allowance: Lower With rental costs: Single and: Not responsible for a child p mth Responsible for 1 or more children 192.00 Have LCW 192.00 Nil Have partner and: Neither of you are responsible for a child Nil You are responsible for 1 or more child 192.00 One or both of you have LCW 192.00
Work Allowance: Higher With no rental cost: Single and: Not responsible for a child p mth Responsible for 1 child or more 397.00 Have LCW 397.00 Nil Have partner and: Neither of you are responsible for a child Nil Responsible for 1 chid or more 397.00 One or both have LCW 397.00
Benefit disregards DLA, AA and PIP. Tapers Once any disregards have been applied, as earnings rise Universal Credit will be withdrawn at 65% for each pound of net earnings. Benefits Cap (outside London) Total amount that can be paid, including UC, will be limited to: 1517 per month if single 2167 if a lone parent or part of a couple Capital Rules Capital limit is 16,000. If you have capital over 6,000 a tariff of 4.35 p mth will be applied for each 250 above this amount. Capital under 6,000 is disregarded.
Useful phone numbers Attendance Allowance (all enq) 0345 605 6055 Bereavement Service 0345 606 0265 (Bereavement Benefits and Funeral Payments) Carers Allowance 0345 608 4321 Child Benefit 0300 200 3100 Disability Living Allowance (DLA) If born on or before 08/04/48 0345 605 6055 If born after 08/04/48 0345 712 3456 ESA/IS/JSA New Claims 0800 055 6688 Ongoing claims/enquiries 0345 608 8545 Housing HB and CTRS Enquiries 0303 123 1011 Payments 0303 123 1005 Benefits are changing team (option 1) 0303 123 1012 Refuse and street cleaning 0303 123 1020 Maternity Allowance New claims 0800 055 6688 Ongoing claims/enquiries 0345 608 8610 Money Matters Advice Service 0800 24 20 24 Telephone advice line for pregnant women and young families
Useful phone numbers cont d Pension Credit New claims 0800 99 1234 Ongoing enquiries 0345 606 0265 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) New claims 0800 917 2222 New claims (text phone) 0800 917 7777 Ongoing claims/enquiries 0345 850 3322 Ongoing claims/enquiries 0345 301 6677 (text phone) Scottish Welfare Fund 0303 123 1007 Social Fund 0345 603 6967 Social Work (including emergency) 0303 123 1008 State Retirement Pension New claims 0800 731 7898 Ongoing claims (Motherwell) 0345 606 0265 Tax Credits (Child and Working Tax Credit) 0345 300 3900 Universal Credit Helpline/change of circumstances 0345 600 0723 Textphone 0345 600 0743
South Lanarkshire Council s Money Matters Advice Service provides free, confidential information and advice on entitlement to benefits and help with debt counselling. Contact your local office Money Matters Advice Service Blantyre 45 John Street Phone: 0303 123 1008 Cambuslang 27 Main Street Phone: 0303 123 1008 East Kilbride Civic Centre Phone: 0303 123 1008 Hamilton Brandon Gate, 1 Leechlee Road Phone: 0303 123 1008 Lanark South Vennel Phone: 0303 123 1008 Larkhall 30 Union Street Phone: 0303 123 1008 Rutherglen 169 Main Street Phone: 0303 123 1008 To make a claim for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, contact the Council s Benefit and Revenue control section on 0303 123 1011. If you need this information in another language or format, please contact us to discuss how we can best meet your needs. Phone: 0303 123 1015 Email: equalities@southlanarkshire.gov.uk www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk Produced for Social Work Resources by Communications and Strategy. 027649/Mar16