Overview Of Benefits Available To Low Income Families
Listed below are some of the benefits available to Low Income Families along with guidance as to who is eligible for them. This article does not guarantee that all low income families will be entitled to all of these benefits, it’s purpose is to provide some insight into what is available and what each benefit is designed to do. We have presented them in alphabetical order:
Budgeting Loans (the Social Fund)
What Is It?
- Budgeting loans are interest-free (£30-£1,000 in total) for the cost of things other than regular expenses (eg furniture, household equipment, clothing, footwear, things to help you look for or start work).
Who Might Be Eligible For It?
- You or your partner must have been getting Income Support or income based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit, or payment on account of one of these, for at least 26 weeks.
How Do I Claim It?
Ask at your local Jobcentre Plus for a claim form and more information.
Community Care Grants (the Social Fund)
What Is It?
A Community Care Grant (£30- £1,000) does not have to be paid back.
Who Might Be Eligible For It?
- You must be receiving Income Support or income based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit, or payment on account of one of these, or are likely to get one of these benefits or entitlements when you move out of residential or institutional accommodation.
When Should I Claim It?
Grants may be awarded to help people:
- who are leaving accommodation in which they receive care
- continue to live in the community
- on a resettlement programme to set up home
- to help ease exceptional pressures on families
- to care for a prisoner or young offender released on temporary licence,
- to help with certain travel costs
How Should I Claim It?
Ask at your local Jobcentre Plus for a claim form and more information.
Crisis Loans (the Social Fund)
What Is It?
Crisis Loans are interest-free and can help if there is a serious risk to the health and safety of you or your family following an emergency or disaster.
Who Might Be Eligible For It?
- You do not need to be getting any benefits but you must be over the age of 16.
- Whether you can get a Crisis Loan will depend on your particular circumstances.
How Do I Claim It?
Ask at your local Jobcentre Plus for a claim form and more information.
Funeral Payment (the Social Fund)
What Is It?
A Funeral Payment can help with the essential costs of a funeral, which you or your partner are responsible for arranging.
Who Might Be Eligible For It?
- You or your partner must be receiving income based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element, or Working Tax Credit where a disabled worker is included in the assessment. The payment is recoverable from any money available form the deceased person's estate.
How Do I Claim It?
Ask at your local Jobcentre Plus for a claim form and more information.
Sure Start Maternity Grant
What Is It?
A payment of £500 which does not have to be paid back.
Who Might Be Eligible For It?
- you or your partner must be receiving income based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element, or Working Tax Credit where a disabled worker is included in the assessment.
When Should I Claim It?
- anytime from eleven weeks before the baby is due until three months after the baby is born
- if you are adopting, claim within three months of adopting. The baby should be under 12 months at the date of your claim
- if your baby is born by surrogacy claim within three months of the order being made. You and your partner must have a parental order
How Do I Claim It?
Ask at your local Jobcentre Plus office, Social Security office or at the Pension Service for the SF100 Sure Start form to claim.
Working Tax Credit
What Is It?
Working Tax Credit is for people who are employed or self-employed who usually work 16 hours or more a week in paid work
Who Might Be Eligible For It?
- anyone aged 16 or over and responsible for at least one child
- anyone aged 16 or over and disabled
- anyone aged 25 or over and usually work at least 30 hours a week
As part of Working Tax Credit you may qualify for help towards the costs of childcare (known as the childcare element) — this is worth up to 70 per cent of your childcare costs up to a maximum of £94.50 for one child and £140 for two or more children each week.
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