Welfare Benefit Advice

Identifying potential benefits you may be entitled to can be a daunting task. Sometimes it can be easier to look at benefits that might be available following a particular life event. The following chart shows which benefits might be available in specific circumstances.

Pregnant/new baby/dependant child	Unemployed (and available for work)	Caring for someone
Statutory maternity pay or maternity allowance Incapacity Benefit Income Support Sure start maternity grant Statutory maternity pay Statutory adoption pay Child Benefit Child Tax Credit Working Tax Credit	Job Seekers Allowance Extended payments of Housing and Council Tax Benefit	Carers allowance Income Support Working Tax Credit Guardians Allowance
Pensioners	Widows/widowers	Working (Full/part time)
Retirement pension Attendance allowance or disability Living Allowance War pensions Winter fuel payments Working Tax Credit Pension Credit	Widowed parents allowance Bereavement allowance Job Seekers Allowance Income Support Working Tax Credit War pensions/armed forces compensation scheme	Working Tax Credit Job Seekers Allowance Income Support
Off work ill (under 28 weeks)	Disabled/off work ill	All groups
Statutory sick pay Incapacity Benefit Income Support Industrial Injuries Benefit Disability Living Allowance Retirement Pension	Incapacity Benefit Attendance allowance Disability Living allowance Industrial Injuries Benefit Retirement Pension Income Support	Housing Benefit Council Tax Benefit Health Benefits Social Fund Discretionary Housing Benefit payments

Job Seekers Allowance - Contribution JSA is worth £60.50 per week for those aged 25 or over-You must register for work with Jobcentre Plus and will normally be required to start your claim by telephoning the Contact Centre on 0800 055 6688
Income Support – Claim by telephoning the jobcentre plus Contact Centre on 0800 055 6688
Social Fund - pays grants and loans to people on benefit- to claim call 0845 850 0032 or go online at www.dwp.gov.uk
Working and Child Tax Credits - Working Tax Credit is paid to those working over 16 hours per week and those who qualify for help towards child care. Child Tax Credit is for people who are responsible for at least one child- to claim call 0845 300 3900
Pension Credit - Entitlement for people aged 60 or over living in the UK. Pension Credit guarantees everyone over 60 and over an income of at least:

£124.05 a week if single
£189.35 a week if you have a partner

To apply for Pension Credit telephone: 0800 991234
Disability Living Allowance/Attendance Allowance - To claim call: 0800 882200

Your Housing Officer can provide you with a provisional Housing Benefit Assessment, advice on what/how to pay, and give you advice on which other benefits you may qualify for. For more information contact your local area housing office or visit Ealing Councils welfare benefits page.

Benefits Information and Support from other organisations

Age Concern - England Provides information and support for older people.
www.ageconcern.org.uk

Carers Online Provides carers, those supporting them and others with national and local information.
www.carersonline.org.uk

CAB Advice Guide Provides basic information and advice on citizens' rights. Information may be browsed alphabetically or by subject.
www.adviceguide.org.uk

Community Legal Service Direct Just Ask! is the website of the CLS and provides a first port of call for legal help and information in England and Wales.
www.clsdirect.org.uk

Debt Advice Centre Information and resources for debtors and debt advice workers. Includes benefit information and leaflets, online calculators and consumer debt articles.
www.debtadvicecentre.co.uk

Department for Work and Pensions Delivers support and advice to people of working age, employers, pensioners, families and children and disabled people.
www.dwp.gov.uk

Tax Credits Online 9 out of 10 families with children are entitled to tax credits. Use this site to find out how much you could get and apply online.
www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/downtime.htm

The Pensions Service
Government website providing information for individuals about pensions and other pensioner benefits in the UK.
www.thepensionservice.