Benefits and Work

Benefits that jobseekers can claim

The aim of this section is to explain what benefits you are entitled to and how working affects what you can claim.

When you are looking for work you can claim:

Jobseekers allowance is a benefit for people who are actively seeking work

You have to firstly contact your local Jobcentre Plus office as soon as possible so you donŒt loose any money. You will be given a claim form pack you will first of all have a meeting with a personal adviser.

Disability Living Allowance

is available to any disabled person who needs help with care in their day to day lives. It is a non means tested benefit. It has two components: care and mobility.

The Care Component

is available at three different rates of payment:

Higher rate: If your child needs help day and night. And also available to anyone who has been suffering from a terminal illness for three months or longer.

Middle rate: If you need help during night or day.

Lower rate: If you need help during some parts of the day or night.To qualify for DLA you have to take three medical tests. You have to claim the benefit before your 65th birthday.

The Mobility Component

is awarded at two different levels:

Higher rate: if your child is unable to walk or has severe difficulty.

Lower rate: If your child can walk but needs some assistance.

You can claim Income Support if you are aged between 16 and 60, on a low income, not working or working on average less than 16 hours a week you can claim Income Support. Income Support is affected by savings.

You will also automatically qualify for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit and may receive help towards health costs - such as prescriptions.