Get a full benefits check
You can complete an online Benefits Calculator at Turn2Us, to find out all that you are entitled to. For a full benefitcs check and benefits advice, contact your local Jobcentre Plus. You can also get a free independent benefit check by contacting your local Citizens Advice.
If you have lost your job the key benefits are Income Support and Job Seekers Allowance. You can make a telephone claim on 0800 055 6688. You can also claim online. You can also claim these benefits if you are laid off in some circumstances.
If you are in work make sure that you are claiming all your entitlements.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a non-means tested benefit for people of working age. It replaces the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit
Whether people will be better or worse off under Universal Credit will depend upon their income, housing costs and the make-up of their household but most people with children, single parents and disabled workers will be worse off than they are under the ‘current’ system.
Tax Credits
Now that Universal Credit has been fully rolled-out across the UK, most people can no longer make a new claim for tax credits and have to claim UC instead (renewal claims can continue).
If you are already in receipt of Tax Credits then your claim should not be affected by Universal Credit until either your circumstances change (for example, you stop work) or the Government transfer you. The transfer process started in 2020.
Housing Benefit
If you are of working age you can only make a new claim for housing benefit in limited circumstances including where one of the following applies:
- you or your partner are pension age
- you claim other benefits which include a severe disability premium
- you're staying in a refuge, hostel or some types of supported or temporary housing
Otherwise, you must claim Universal Credit instead.
Help with mortgages
If you’re having difficulty paying your mortgage and are in danger of becoming homeless, you should:
- Get independent advice
- Talk to your lender about your payments
Council Tax Support
- 25% reduction if there is only one adult living in the house, excluding full-time students. Find out more at www.gov.uk/council-tax/who-has-to-pay.
- Council Tax Reduction: some councils offer support to people on a low income to reduce their Council Tax payment. Check if your Council offers support at www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction.
Usdaw member benefits
Find out about our wide ranging benefits you're entitled to as an Usdaw member:
- We offer cash benefits amongst the very best of all Britain's Trade Unions: including sickness grant, permanent disability grant, maternity/paternity benefit, death grant and dispute benefit.
- A number of services for legal help and advice, when it comes to you and your family: free advice and representation on pay, conditions of employment, grievances and disciplinaries. Also free legal assistance for any accident in the UK, and much more.
- Free advice on health and safety issues.
- We are here to help guide you through pensions, show how important they are and give you the tools to better prepare for life after work, no matter how old you are.
- Check out our latest membership offers. Discover a world of exclusive benefits by well known companies.
- There's access to a full library of useful resources, from mental health to workers' rights and much, much more.
- Advice on managing your money, with five basic rules to help with money and debt.
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