Accord Group customer magazine Summer 2016 11
OUR A-Z OF BENEFITS
Visit gov . uk / browse / benefits
ATTENDANCE ALLOWANCE
Benefit paid to disabled people who need constant care at home . Contact the DWP Attendance Allowance Service Centre on 0345 605 6055 .
BENEFIT CAP
Limit on the total amount of certain benefits you can get if you are of working age . It will only affect you if you ’ re getting Housing Benefit or Universal Credit .
CHILD & WORKING TAX CREDITS
Child Tax Credits are paid to people who have low income and are responsible for a child or children under 16 , or under 20 if they remain in full time education . Working Tax Credits are paid to people who are working with a low income . You are eligible if you ’ re :
n 25 , single , work more than 30 hours per week and earn below a certain amount n 25 , in a couple and you work 24 hours or more , with at least one of you working 16 hours , and earn below a certain amount n Between 16-24 and have children or a qualifying disability and earn below a certain amount .
DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE ( DLA )
You can claim if you need help with care or mobility costs . How much you get depends on how much help you need . For 16-64 year olds DLA is being phased out and replaced with PIP .
EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT ALLOWANCE
Paid to people who are unable to work due to illness . You need to provide a sick note to claim , and you will have to attend a Work Capability Assessment .
HOUSING BENEFIT
Paid to people on low income to help with rent and housing costs . The amount awarded is based on your income , how many bedrooms you need , and if you have any non-dependent adults living with you . You may still be entitled to Housing Benefit even if you start work .
INCOME SUPPORT
Paid to people who have no or low income . You may be entitled if you are : n Between 16 and State Pension age n Pregnant or a lone parent with a child under 5 n A carer n A student n Sick or disabled .
JOBSEEKER ’ S ALLOWANCE
Paid to people who are under State Pension age , unemployed or working less than 16 hours , available and looking for work .
PENSION CREDIT
Paid to people who have reached Pension Credit qualifying age , and have income below the amount the government says you need to live on . This is called Guarantee Credit . If you have reached the qualifying age , and have savings or a private pension , you may qualify for Savings Credit , if your total income is below a certain amount .
PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENTS ( PIP )
This is paid to people between 16 and 64 who have a long-term health condition , which affects aspects of their daily living and mobility . You will have an assessment with a health care professional to decide how your daily living activities and mobility are affected by your disability .
UNIVERSAL CREDIT
This new benefit is gradually replacing Housing Benefit , Job Seeker ’ s Allowance , Employment and Support Allowance , Income Support and Child and Working Tax Credits . It will be paid direct to you in a single monthly payment and you will then be responsible for payment of your own rent . How much you get is based on your circumstances and income . There is no limit on how many hours you can work and the amount of UC you receive goes up and down , depending how much you have earned . You can claim Universal Credit online when it goes live in your area . Visit gov . uk / universal-credit . Call the Universal Credit helpline on 0345 600 0723 ( textphone : 0345 600 0743 ) if you have any questions or your circumstances change .