BENEFITS

This information gives basic advice on the benefits you may be able to get. If you have any questions, contact DASH or go to the Department of Work and Pensions web site. To apply for these benefits, contact DASH, your local advice centre or your local Job Centre Plus.

Statutory Sick Pay

Statutory sick pay is paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks in any period of sickness lasting more than 4 days.

Incapacity Benefit

Incapacity Benefit (IB) is usually for people who have been unable to work because of sickness or disability for 28 weeks.

Usually you need to have paid enough National Insurance contributions and have been incapable of work due to sickness or disability for at least 4 days in a row to qualify.

People who are incapable of work and are employed, but cannot get Statutory Sick Pay from their employers, or are self-employed or non-employed, may get Incapacity Benefit if they have enough National Insurance contributions.  For people under pension age Incapacity Benefit is paid at 3 rates, short term low rate, short term high rate and long term rate.  For people over pension age, you may be able to get Incapacity Benefit after state pension age.  It can be paid at the Retirement Pension rate for up to one year of sickness.

In certain circumstances Incapacity Benefit can be paid if you have been incapable of work for 4 days or more (please seek advice in these circumstances).

Disability Living Allowance

Disability Living Allowance is a benefit for adults & children with disabilities.  It is for people who need help looking after themselves and those who find it difficult to walk or get around.  You don’t need someone looking after you to qualify. You can get DLA even if you are working providing you fit the criteria for the benefit.

DLA is a tax free weekly payment paid to people whose disability starts below the age of 65.  It is paid on top of any other benefit or income and any savings and does not depend on National Insurance contributions.  It can also increase your entitlement to other benefits and Tax Credits.

You can claim if you have needed help for the last three months and will need help for the next six months or longer.  Anyone who is terminally ill will qualify for the care component without waiting, but must prove that they need help with getting around to qualify for the mobility component.

If you get middle or higher rate of the care component, the person who cares for you may be able to claim Carers Allowance.

Attendance Allowance

This is a tax free weekly payment paid at a higher and lower rate.  It is paid to people who have a disability, which begins after the age of 65.  It can be paid on top of any savings or income of any kind and is not dependent on National Insurance contributions. You can claim if you need a lot of looking after because you have been mentally or physically disabled for at least six months.  You can claim even if you are living alone and not actually getting the help you need.  Anyone who is terminally ill will qualify for help at the higher rate automatically, even if no help is needed. Attendance Allowance could also increase your entitlement to:

• Pension Credit (guaranteed credit)

• Housing Benefit

• Council Tax Benefit

The person who cares for you may be able to claim Carers Allowance.

Carers Allowance

Carers Allowance is a weekly benefit paid to people who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a severely disabled person.  You don’t have to be related to, or live with, the disabled person.

To claim you must be over 16 and the person you look after must be getting Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance care component (at the middle or higher rate) or Constant Attendance Allowance.  You can also work and claim Carers Allowance provided you are earning less than the current earnings limit.

Caution:  Carers Allowance is an overlapping benefit and you MUST always seek advice before claiming.

Working Tax Credits

This is a means-tested or income related payment for those in low-paid work.  It also provides help to a large group of people who did not get any help from Working Families Tax Credit and Disabled Persons Tax Credit, as payment can now be made to those who are in low-paid work of at least 30 hours a week, who are aged 25 or more but do not have dependent children.  Payments can also be made towards certain childcare costs.

Child Tax Credits

You can get Child Tax Credit if you meet all of the following conditions at the time you make your claim:

• You must be at least 16 years old.

• You, or your partner, must be responsible for a child or young person who normally lives with you.

• You must satisfy the residence and presence conditions

• Your income must be within a set limit, which varies according to your family circumstances.

If you are part of a couple you must claim jointly and your claim is called a “joint claim”.  Otherwise you claim as a single person.   Your claim will end immediately if you are a couple who cease to be a couple or if you are a single person who stops being a single person.  Your entitlement will also usually end if you cease to be responsible for any children or young people