Welfare Rights Training 2010Welfare Rights Training 2010

Please note many of the following will only Please note many of the following will only apply to existing Income Support claims pre apply to existing Income Support claims pre April 2003 when Child & Working Tax April 2003 when Child & Working Tax Credits were first introduced.Credits were first introduced.

Income Support claims from this date will Income Support claims from this date will have all premiums paid for children paid in have all premiums paid for children paid in their parents Child Tax Credit awards, their parents Child Tax Credit awards, parents with children over set ages have parents with children over set ages have also been transferred to Child Tax Credits.also been transferred to Child Tax Credits.

However many Carers we work with will still However many Carers we work with will still get Income Supportget Income Support

Income SupportIncome Support

Taxable: NoTaxable: NoMeans Tested: YesMeans Tested: Yes

Basic benefit to bring you and yourBasic benefit to bring you and yourfamilies income up to the minimumfamilies income up to the minimumamounts set by Parliamentamounts set by Parliament

To be entitled to IS a person To be entitled to IS a person mustmust:: Be aged l6 or overBe aged l6 or overandand Be in GB (except in certain circumstances)Be in GB (except in certain circumstances)andand Have no income, or an income which does not exceed the applicable amountHave no income, or an income which does not exceed the applicable amountandand Not be in remunerative work (working 16 hours or more)Not be in remunerative work (working 16 hours or more)andand Not have a partner in remunerative work (working 24 hours or more)Not have a partner in remunerative work (working 24 hours or more)andand Not be in relevant education (unless in special circumstances)Not be in relevant education (unless in special circumstances)andand Not be receiving JSA Not be receiving JSA oror Have a partner who is receiving JSA (I.B), PCGT or IBESAHave a partner who is receiving JSA (I.B), PCGT or IBESAandand Be in a prescribed category (See below).Be in a prescribed category (See below).

PRESCRIBED CATEGORIESPRESCRIBED CATEGORIES

The following people can receive IS providedThe following people can receive IS providedthey satisfy the basic conditions of entitlement:they satisfy the basic conditions of entitlement:

lone parents with a child under 10 (Child must be under 7 from October 2010)lone parents with a child under 10 (Child must be under 7 from October 2010)lone foster parentslone foster parentspeople temporarily looking after another person people temporarily looking after another person regular Carersregular Carersdisabled workersdisabled workersemployed & in residential care, nursing home or residential accommodationemployed & in residential care, nursing home or residential accommodationdisabled students (Pre October 2008 claimants only)disabled students (Pre October 2008 claimants only)deaf studentsdeaf studentsblind peopleblind peoplepregnant women within 11 weeks of the birth and for a further 15 weeks after the birthpregnant women within 11 weeks of the birth and for a further 15 weeks after the birthcertain people in non-advanced / relevant educationcertain people in non-advanced / relevant educationrefugees learning Englishrefugees learning Englishpeople required to attend courtpeople required to attend courtpeople affected by a trade disputepeople affected by a trade disputecertain persons from abroadcertain persons from abroadpeople in custodypeople in custodymembers of a couple looking after children whilst partner is temporarily abroadmembers of a couple looking after children whilst partner is temporarily abroadpeople appealing against a decision that they are not incapable of workpeople appealing against a decision that they are not incapable of workpeople attending YT coursespeople attending YT courses

AmountsAmounts

Single person 16 – 24 £51.85Single person 16 – 24 £51.85

Single over 25 £65.45Single over 25 £65.45

Couples both under 18 £78.30Couples both under 18 £78.30

Couples one over 18 £102.75Couples one over 18 £102.75

Child AdditionsChild Additions

For each child add:For each child add:

Aged 0 – 1 £68.07Aged 0 – 1 £68.07

Aged 1 – 20 £57.57 Aged 1 – 20 £57.57

INCOME SUPPORT ADDITIONAL PREMIUMS INCOME SUPPORT ADDITIONAL PREMIUMS

The Family Premium (£17.40)The Family Premium (£17.40)

The Family Premium of £17.40 can be awarded only The Family Premium of £17.40 can be awarded only onceonce in addition to any other in addition to any other premiumpremium

Your IS Family must include a Child aged under 20 who you are in receipt of Child Your IS Family must include a Child aged under 20 who you are in receipt of Child benefit for. benefit for.

The Premium is fixed at £17.40 whether you have one Child or five Children.The Premium is fixed at £17.40 whether you have one Child or five Children.

AndAnd

One of the Children you are claiming for must have capital of less than £3,000.One of the Children you are claiming for must have capital of less than £3,000.

If you have just one Child and s/he does not count as a member of your Family, you If you have just one Child and s/he does not count as a member of your Family, you will not get the Child’s personal Allowance, nor will you get the Family Premium or will not get the Child’s personal Allowance, nor will you get the Family Premium or the Disabled Child Premium. For example this would happen where your ex- partner the Disabled Child Premium. For example this would happen where your ex- partner has primary responsibility for that Child or s/he gets Child benefit in respect of that has primary responsibility for that Child or s/he gets Child benefit in respect of that Child.Child.

The Disabled Child Premium (£52.08)The Disabled Child Premium (£52.08)

The Disabled Child Premium (DCP) can be awarded The Disabled Child Premium (DCP) can be awarded in addition to any of the other Premiums. The Disabled in addition to any of the other Premiums. The Disabled Child Premium is £52.08 for each Child who lives with Child Premium is £52.08 for each Child who lives with you and counts as Disabled.you and counts as Disabled.

Your Child counts as Disabled if s/he:Your Child counts as Disabled if s/he:

Is registered as blind, or was taken off that register Is registered as blind, or was taken off that register within the past 28 weekswithin the past 28 weeks

oror

Gets Disability Living AllowanceGets Disability Living Allowance

oror

No longer gets Disability Living Allowance care component because s/he is a No longer gets Disability Living Allowance care component because s/he is a patient - so long as s/he is still treated as being a member of your IS Family.patient - so long as s/he is still treated as being a member of your IS Family.

However the DCP will not be paid for a Child if that Child has capital of over However the DCP will not be paid for a Child if that Child has capital of over £3,000. Apart from this point, the rules for paying, not paying, or paying a £3,000. Apart from this point, the rules for paying, not paying, or paying a reduced rate of DCP are the same as the rules for the Family Premium.reduced rate of DCP are the same as the rules for the Family Premium.

There is no lower age-limit in law for registering a Child as blind. Apply (in There is no lower age-limit in law for registering a Child as blind. Apply (in writing) to your social service (or social work) department / or registration as writing) to your social service (or social work) department / or registration as soon as you are given a diagnosis, or you think one likely.soon as you are given a diagnosis, or you think one likely.

If a Child is not registered as blind and is not terminally ill, the earliest age at If a Child is not registered as blind and is not terminally ill, the earliest age at which you can get the DCP is 3 months (when D.L.A. care component which you can get the DCP is 3 months (when D.L.A. care component normally first becomes payable). If s/he qualifies for D.L.A. mobility normally first becomes payable). If s/he qualifies for D.L.A. mobility component, the DCP would be paid from the 3rd birthday at the earliest. If component, the DCP would be paid from the 3rd birthday at the earliest. If none of these apply, no DCP is payable.none of these apply, no DCP is payable.

The Disabled Child Premium The Disabled Child Premium (£52.08) (cont)(£52.08) (cont)

The Child Maintenance Premium The Child Maintenance Premium

This Premium enables the person with care to retain This Premium enables the person with care to retain up to a maximum £20 per week from November up to a maximum £20 per week from November 2008, of any child maintenance paid. The figure is 2008, of any child maintenance paid. The figure is calculated by the Child Support Agency and is calculated by the Child Support Agency and is based upon the amount of maintenance paid by the based upon the amount of maintenance paid by the Non-Resident parent.Non-Resident parent.

IMPORTANT NOTE:IMPORTANT NOTE:

From April 2010 all child support / maintenance is From April 2010 all child support / maintenance is now fully ignored by all benefitsnow fully ignored by all benefits

The Carer Premium (£30.05)The Carer Premium (£30.05)

The Carers Premium is £30.05 a week for each person who qualifies. It can be The Carers Premium is £30.05 a week for each person who qualifies. It can be awarded in addition to any of the othersawarded in addition to any of the others

You will qualify for a Carer Premium if: You will qualify for a Carer Premium if:

You are actually paid an amount of Carers Allowance (CA). You are actually paid an amount of Carers Allowance (CA).

OrOr

You have an underlying entitlement to CA: E.g. you are entitled to CA but it You have an underlying entitlement to CA: E.g. you are entitled to CA but it cannot be paid because of the overlapping benefit rules (See below).cannot be paid because of the overlapping benefit rules (See below).

You must have claimed (or re-claimed) CA on or after 1.10.90 You must have claimed (or re-claimed) CA on or after 1.10.90 andandYou are entitled to CA but the overlapping benefit rules mean that You are entitled to CA but the overlapping benefit rules mean that you cannot be paid CA because you receive another non-means you cannot be paid CA because you receive another non-means tested income maintenance benefittested income maintenance benefit andandThe person you are caring for must continue to receive Attendance The person you are caring for must continue to receive Attendance Allowance or the middle or higher rate of D.L.A. care component.Allowance or the middle or higher rate of D.L.A. care component.

This extra premium continues for 8 weeks in means tested This extra premium continues for 8 weeks in means tested benefits after Carers Allowance is stoppedbenefits after Carers Allowance is stopped

If you only have an underlying entitlement to CA, thereIf you only have an underlying entitlement to CA, thereare some extra rulesare some extra rules

Underlying CAUnderlying CA

Notes:Notes:

That if you have overlapping CA, you can qualify for That if you have overlapping CA, you can qualify for a Carers Premium and the person you are caring for a Carers Premium and the person you are caring for will still be entitled to the Severe Disability Premium.will still be entitled to the Severe Disability Premium.

When claiming Carers Allowance always backdate When claiming Carers Allowance always backdate for 3 months or longer if a new or increased awardfor 3 months or longer if a new or increased award

That it is quite possible for you to get CA for looking That it is quite possible for you to get CA for looking after your partner (as well as your own care after your partner (as well as your own care component or Attendance Allowance). If you, or component or Attendance Allowance). If you, or your partner, or both of you, get your partner, or both of you, get PAIDPAID CA for looking CA for looking after the other, that excludes you from the single or after the other, that excludes you from the single or double SDP but you will get the Carer Premium(s).double SDP but you will get the Carer Premium(s).

Pensioner Premium:Pensioner Premium:

Single £67.15 Couple £99.65Single £67.15 Couple £99.65

To qualify for the Pensioner PremiumTo qualify for the Pensioner Premium

you (or your partner) must be over the age you (or your partner) must be over the age a woman qualifies for her old age pensiona woman qualifies for her old age pension

Check if Pension Credit should be claimed!Check if Pension Credit should be claimed!

The Disability Premium: The Disability Premium: (Single £28 Couple £39.85)(Single £28 Couple £39.85)

If the person is under the age a woman now retires, they may be If the person is under the age a woman now retires, they may be able to get this Premium if they or their partner are:able to get this Premium if they or their partner are:

receiving Disability Living Allowance; receiving Disability Living Allowance; oror receiving Incapacity benefit- long term rate; receiving Incapacity benefit- long term rate; oror receiving Severe Disablement Allowance; receiving Severe Disablement Allowance; oror are registered as blindare registered as blind oror Claimant, but not partner, may also get the Disability Premium if Claimant, but not partner, may also get the Disability Premium if

they are accepted as being incapable of employment (including they are accepted as being incapable of employment (including periods when they were receiving Statutory Sick Pay) for at least periods when they were receiving Statutory Sick Pay) for at least 364 days (196 days if they are terminally ill). Periods of incapacity 364 days (196 days if they are terminally ill). Periods of incapacity separated by 56 days or less can be linked together when separated by 56 days or less can be linked together when calculating the qualifying period.calculating the qualifying period.

oror In receipt of mobility supplementIn receipt of mobility supplement

The Enhanced Disability PremiumThe Enhanced Disability Premium

Single £13.65 Couple £19.65 Child £21Single £13.65 Couple £19.65 Child £21

Aged under female retirement age are able to get this Aged under female retirement age are able to get this extra premium if they are:extra premium if they are:

Receiving Disability Living Allowance Higher Rate Care Receiving Disability Living Allowance Higher Rate Care Component;Component;

oror

Have a dependent Child or children in receipt of Have a dependent Child or children in receipt of Disability Living Allowance Higher Rate Care Disability Living Allowance Higher Rate Care ComponentComponent

The Enhanced Disability Premium can be awarded in The Enhanced Disability Premium can be awarded in addition to other Premiums.addition to other Premiums.

Severe Disability PremiumSevere Disability Premium (Single £53.65 Couple £107.30) (Single £53.65 Couple £107.30)

The Severe Disability Premium can be awarded on top of the The Severe Disability Premium can be awarded on top of the ordinary Disability Premium, Enhanced Disability or the ordinary Disability Premium, Enhanced Disability or the Pensioner Premium.Pensioner Premium.

To qualify, you must be:To qualify, you must be:

SinglesSingles

An IS claimant; who gets D.L.A. care component at the middle An IS claimant; who gets D.L.A. care component at the middle or higher rate, or Attendance Allowance (or Constant or higher rate, or Attendance Allowance (or Constant Attendance Allowance); and you technically count Attendance Allowance); and you technically count

as “living alone”;as “living alone”;

CouplesCouples

If you both get DLA middle or higher rate care If you both get DLA middle or higher rate care component or Attendance Allowance, and no one gets component or Attendance Allowance, and no one gets PAIDPAID Carers Allowance (CA) for looking after either Carers Allowance (CA) for looking after either you or your partner, your SDP will be at the couple rate you or your partner, your SDP will be at the couple rate £107.30£107.30

If you both get DLA middle or higher rate care If you both get DLA middle or higher rate care component or Attendance Allowance, and one person component or Attendance Allowance, and one person gets paidgets paid CA for looking after you CA for looking after you oror your partner, your partner, your SDP will be at the single rate £53.65your SDP will be at the single rate £53.65

If two people are getting If two people are getting PAIDPAID CA for looking after you CA for looking after you andand your partner, you will not get the SDP. your partner, you will not get the SDP.

Severe Disability PremiumSevere Disability Premium (Single £53.65 Couple £107.30) (Single £53.65 Couple £107.30)

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Questions and Answers?Questions and Answers?

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Questions and Answers?Questions and Answers?