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BENEFITS FINANCIAL HELP 10 |
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| The
Gateway to Services in the UK |
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Main Benefits
Council Tax Benefit
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Council Tax
Benefit is
the local tax set by councils to help pay for services. There will be
one bill for each dwelling, which will usually be payable by the owner
occupier or tenant, including council tenants. If you are on low income
and find it hard to pay your council tax, you may be able to get help
from the Council Tax Benefit Scheme.
How much you get
Nearly all the rules which apply to Housing Benefit will apply to Council Tax Benefit. The amount of help you can get depends on how much money you have coming in, your personal circumstances, your savings and the amount or council tax you have to pay. If you have a partner, your combined income and savings will be looked at to see what help you and your partner can get.
You may get Second Adult Rebate if someone over 18 lives with you who does not pay council tax, has a low income and is not your partner or paying rent.
If you qualify for Council Tax Benefit and Second Adult Rebate, you will get the higher amount of the two.
You may be able to get maximum Council Tax Benefit for an extra four weeks after your Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance stops because you or your partner start work or increase your hours or wages. The extra help is called extended payment.
To get an extended payment you must be aged under 60 or, if you are getting income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, under state pension age, and you must have been unemployed and getting Jobseeker’s Allowance for at least six months or more without a break, or have been getting Income Support as a lone parent, a carer, for at least six months without a break.
How to claim
If you claim Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance you can claim Council Tax Benefit at the same time. A form to claim Council Tax Benefit is included with your Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance claim form, Fill this in and return it to your social security office. They will pass the form to your council. If you delay you may lose benefit.
If you are not claiming Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance, get a Council Tax Benefit claim form from your local council.
More information
Get leaflet CTB1-(Help
with your council tax) from your council or social security office.
Jobseeker’s
Allowance (briefly)
This benefit is for unemployed jobseekers who are actively seeking work, are capable of work, and are available for work. It is available as either contribution-based or income-based.
How much
Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Person aged 16-17 £31.45
Person aged 18-24 £41.35
Person aged 25 or over £52.20
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Person aged 16-17 up to £41.35
Person aged 18-24 £41.35
Person aged 25 or over £52.20
Couple up to £81.95
Rates vary according to circumstances. Additional amounts may be paid
for dependants and to people with special circumstances.
To claim and for more information
Contact a jobcentre for a claim form. You may lose your benefit if you delay. See leaflet JSAL5-(Jobseeker’s Allowance-helping you back to work).
