There is a common thought that benefits are only available to those who are out of work and receiving no income, but this is untrue.
With the cost of living rising and more and more families struggling to put food on the table or pay their bills, many people may be entitled to payments, unbeknown to them.
Benefits are not just for the unemployed, even people on high earning salaries could be eligible.
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According to Moneysavingexpert.com, a quick and simple check can help you find out if you qualify for benefits.
Millions of households across the UK are missing out on £15billion a year of means-tested benefits, that is without other benefits such as those for disabilities.
Turn2Us estimates that a staggering £15 billion has been left unclaimed simply because many people currently working do not realise, or think, they are eligible to apply.
One common reason may be a lack of understanding on eligibility requirements and just exactly what is out there that they can claim.
The Universal Credit and Benefits Calculator can give you some useful information in just ten-minutes.
According to Moneysavingexpert.com, a raft of benefits are available if you have children, with the main one being child benefit and statutory maternity/paternity/adoption pay.
Others include guardian's allowance, marriage allowance and maternity allowance.
For those looking for work or on a low income, the Jobseeker's allowance is available - where you need to have enough national insurance contributions over the past two tax years – and working tax credit.
Other types of benefits include income support, pension credit, housing benefits, free school meals, council tax reduction, funeral payments, cold weather payments and council support schemes.
There are a few specific benefits to help those who are ill, disabled or elderly. They can be claimed on top of some other benefits with the main one being state pension and personal independence payment.
Universal Credit:
Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or you cannot work.
Universal Credit is replacing the following means-tested benefits:
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Working Tax Credit
If you currently get any of these benefits, you do not need to do anything unless you have a change in circumstances of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) contacts you about moving to Universal Credit.
The UK Government states that a person may be able to get Universal Credit if:
You are on a low-income or out of work
You are 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)
You are under State Pension age (or your partner is)
You and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you
You live in the UK
It is worth noting that you won't be able to get any of the means-tested benefits if your capital and savings amount to more than the upper limit of £16,000.
So with many schemes available for those who need a bit of extra help, even if you don't think you are eligible - a quick ten-minute check will be useful.
With fears over coronavirus increasing, help is still available for those who need to take time off work which includes testing positive and being instructed to self-isolate.
If you have to take time off work, your first port of call should be to check out you sick pay rights and then consider universal credit or Employment and Support Allowance.
Some people may even be eligible for a self-isolation payment.
More information on benefits and your eligibility can be found on the Money Saving Expert website.
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