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Help with Rent/Mortgages

Housing Benefit

If you are on a low income or not working, you may qualify for Housing Benefit Entitlement. The amount paid will vary according to certain criteria, so always check with your local authority to find out if you can get help.

Broadly speaking, savings over £16,000 will disqualify you (unless you are over 60 yrs old and in receipt of the ‘guarantee credit’ of Pension Credit). You also cannot claim if you live in the home of a close relative, or study full-time (except in some cases if you have a disability), or you are an asylum seeker, or you are sponsored to remain in the UK. Couples are assessed so that only one of them could receive any help due. Under 25’s are limited to the amount paid for bed-sits or shared accommodation. For more info click here.

Mortgage Interest Run On (MIRO) or Extended Housing Benefit

These could help when you or your partner are trying to increase your income by returning to full time work, working longer hours or are simply bringing in more earned income. It is for people who have claimed certain types of state benefits for at least 6 months and is designed to provide short-term support when those benefits stop because of the increase in your household income. For more info on MIRO info click here. For more on Extended Housing Benefit click here.

Help with Other Living Costs

Council Tax Benefit

Council Tax Benefit may apply if you are on a low income or not working, or sharing your home with an adult who is not your spouse and cannot afford to contribute towards council tax bills. Certain conditions will apply; call Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688 (Welsh language 0800 012 1888; textphone 0800 023 4888).

Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)

For those who are fully able to work but are actually working below 16 hrs weekly or simply not working. The benefits are commonly paid every fortnight and there is commonly a requirement to demonstrate you are actively seeking work. Contribution based JSA is paid for up to 182 days and applies if you have paid a certain level of National Insurance Contributions within the previous 24 months. Income based JSA is paid to those who have not accrued sufficient National Insurance Contributions in the previous 24 months. You can apply on 0800 055 6688 (Welsh language 0800 012 1888; textphone 0800 023 4888) or for more info online click here.

Income Support

If you are over 16 but under Pension age, and you don’t qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance, this may provide cash help. Generally speaking, you’ll need to receive a low income and work 16 hours a week or less. Students are routinely not entitled but do qualify in some circumstances, so do check if you could gain any help here. Income Support may also apply for some single parents, carers, those on maternity or paternity leave and for refugees who are studying English within their 1st year in the UK. To find out more click here.

Working Tax Credit

This is for people who generally work 30 hours or more weekly but are on a low income. It can also help those working 16 hours or more if they have a disability; or have a child under 16yrs old; or are aged 50 or over.

Working Tax Credit can be of particular help to those working but struggling with debt. Use the online interactive assessment tool (click here) or call the Tax Credits Helpline on 0845 300 3900 (textphone 0845 300 3909).

Child Tax Credit

This is for those who have one child (or in some circumstances, a young person) living in the home. The amount payable will vary by circumstances and income. Bear in mind, from April 12th 2010, a change in the law means parental child maintenance payments will not affect Child Tax Credit (or common benefits). To find out more, use HMRC's online interactive assessment tool (click here) or call the Tax Credits Helpline on 0845 300 3900 (textphone 0845 300 3909).

Child Benefit

For those with a child under 16, a 16-20 yr old in full time education or a 16-17 yr old registered for work, training or education with an approved body. Not means tested. HMRC has a claim form online, or call the Child Benefit Helpline on 0845 302 1444 (Welsh language 0845 302 1489; textphone 0845 302 1474). Help with Illness or Disability

Employment and Support and Allowance

This is a newer benefit designed to replace new claims for Incapacity Benefit (although those already on Incapacity Benefit will apparently continue to receive it). You may find the leaflet ‘Employment and Support and Allowance - Help if you are Ill or Disabled’ from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) useful. Claim by telephone on 0800 055 6688 (textphone 0800 023 4888) or for more info online click here.

Carers Allowance

You may be entitled to this if you are an adult caring for 35 or more hours weekly for someone who receives Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (at the middle or highest rate for care) or Constant Attendance Allowance (at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit). Call the Carer's Allowance Unit on 0845 6084321 (textphone: 0845 6045312).

Disability Living Allowance

Children and adults who have a disability may be entitled to financial assistance. The amounts paid will vary in each case; call the Benefits Enquiry Line on 0800 88 22 00 (textphone: 0800 24 33 55), or to apply online click here.

Hospital Travel Costs Scheme

In some circumstances, there may be cash help available towards the cost of travelling to NHS visits for healthcare treatments. To find if you are eligible, try speaking to advisors at JobCentre Plus on 0800 055 6688 (textphone 0800 023 4888); click here to find out more

Reduced Earnings Allowance (REA)

This is a cash payment for people who have a work-related illness or disability which began before 1st October 1990. There are conditions which apply and it may affect any other benefits you receive. It’s very important to claim as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss out if you would be eligible. Call JobCentre Plus benefits advisors on 0800 055 6688 (textphone 0800 023 4888); click here to find out more.

Help for Older People

State Pension

You may be entitled to a State Pension at either the full or basic rate. Men can apply from 65 yrs old, women should check to find out their qualifying age over 60. You may be able to top this up with the Pension Credit. Call the State Pension Claim Line on 0800 731 7898 (textphone 0800 731 7339; Welsh language 0800 731 7936, Welsh language textphone 0800 731 7013).

Pension Credit

There are now Pension Credits which you may be entitled to if you have reached the ‘qualifying age’ (even if your partner hasn’t), or Savings Pensions Credits for those over 65. You can use an interactive online checker to see when your ‘qualifying age’ would be - for those born before 6th April 1950, it is 60. You can call The Pension Service on 0800 99 1234 (textphone 0800 169 0133), or to download a form click here. You can do this up to 4 months before your qualifying date.

State Second Pension

This has replaced the old SERPS from 2002. You may be entitled to this if you claim the basic State Pension, and the Pension Service automatically sends you the information. Call the State Pension claim line on 0800 731 7898 (textphone 0800 731 7339; Welsh language 0800 731 7936, Welsh language textphone 0800 731 7013).

Finding out if you could get cash help from any benefits could mean you are more able to manage when facing debt problems. For calm, professional advice on any aspect of your debts, call our expert advisors for independent, impartial advice.