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Pension Credit, is a means-tested benefit for people aged 60 and over.
Pension Credit has two elements:
- 'Guarantee Credit' - if your income is below a certain level, known as the 'appropriate minimum guarantee' the guarantee credit makes up the difference.
- 'Savings Credit' - for people aged 65 and over, which is intended to provide extra money for people who have made modest provision for their retirement.
Guarantee credit is calculated by comparing your 'appropriate minimum guarantee' with your income, the guarantee credit makes up the difference.
Your appropriate minimum guarantee always includes a standard minimum guarantee.
Savings credit can be paid if you or your partner is over 65 and have 'qualifying income' above your 'Savings Credit' threshold.
Pension Credit can meet mortgage interest payments and other housing costs. You may get Housing Benefit (HB) and Local Council Tax Support to help with rent and council tax. If you get the guarantee credit, you will be passported to full HB/Council Tax Support and you may also be entitled to help with health costs such as free dental treatment and help with hospital fares. If you receive either elements you may receive help from the social fund and energy efficiency grants.
WHO CAN CLAIM PENSION CREDIT?
To claim Pension Credit you must have reached the qualifying age at which women retire. If you have a partner, they can be younger.
Only one member of a couple can claim.
You must be present in Great Britain, habitually resident and not subject to immigration control.
Pension Credit can be paid for the first 4 or 8 weeks of a temporary absence from Britain.
CALCULATING YOUR PENSION CREDIT
2019/20 Rates
Guarantee credit is calculated by comparing your 'appropriate minimum guarantee' with your income. Your appropriate minimum guarantee always includes a 'standard minimum guarantee' which is:
- Single claimant - £167.25
- Couple - £255.25
Savings credit may be paid if you or your partner are 65 or over and have 'qualifying income' above your 'savings credit threshold'.
Savings Credit Thresholds Per Week:
- Single person - £144.38
- Couple - £229.67
Some people will receive savings credit in addition to guarantee credit; others will receive only savings credit.The maximum amount of savings credit payable is £13.72 a week for a single person and £15.35 for a couple.
An online calculator can be accessed at www.gov.uk which will give you can idea on how much you may be entitled to.
CAPITAL
If you have capital of more than £10,000 this will affect your Pension Credit. You will be counted as having an extra £1 a week income for every £500 (or part of £500) over this limit.
HOW TO CLAIM
To can make a claim you can ring The Pension Credit application line on Freephone 0800 99 1234 or Text 0800 169 0133 (you will be asked questions over the phone and then the application form will be sent to you to check and sign). Alternatively, an advice agency or local Pension Service staff can help you fill in the form on a face-to-face basis - either at an advice session or through a home visit.
DIAL Disclaimer
Whilst all the information given in this document was correct at the time of going to press, DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.
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STATUTORY MATERNITY PAY
If you are an employee you may be able to get statutory maternity pay (SMP) from your employer when you stop work to have your baby.
You will not have to repay it if you do not return to work.
You qualify if:
- You have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks into the 15th week (the 'qualifying week') before the week the baby is due; and
- You are still in your job in the qualifying week (it doesn't matter if you are off work sick or on holiday); and
- Your average earnings are at least £118 a week; and
- You give your employer the right notice (see below).
How much do you get?
SMP is paid by your employer and is paid up to a maximum of 39 weeks. For the first 6 weeks you get 90% of your average weekly earnings (with no upper limit). The average is calculated from your gross earnings in the 8 weeks, if weekly paid, or 2 months, if monthly paid, before the end of the 15th week before the baby is due. The remaining 33 weeks are paid at the standard rate of £148.68, or 90% of your average weekly earnings if this calculation results in a figure that is less than £148.68.
You may have to pay tax and National Insurance contributions out of your SMP.
When is it paid?
SMP can start from the 11th week before the week in which the baby is due. You decide when you stop work and start your maternity pay period. You can work right up until the baby's birth.
If your baby is born early (i.e. prior to the 11th week before it is due), your SMP will start the day following the birth.
You must tell your employer at least 28 days before the date you want to start your SMP. Send your maternity certificate (form MAT B1), which your doctor or midwife will give you when you are about 21 weeks pregnant. Tell your employer as soon as is reasonably practicable if your baby is born early.
If you are not eligible for SMP, your employer must give you form SMP1 within 7 days. You may be eligible for maternity allowance.
SMP works in a similar way to statutory sick pay, so you have the right to ask your employer for a written statement about your SMP position. If you disagree, you can refer your case to HM Revenue & Customs Statutory Payments Disputes Team office for a decision. If the HM Revenue & Customs decides against you, you can appeal to a first-tier Tribunal (Finance and Tax Chamber). Your employer can also appeal.
MATERNITY ALLOWANCE
If you cannot get statutory maternity pay, you may qualify for tax-free maternity allowance (MA).
To qualify, you must have been employed or self-employed, in at least 26 of the 66 weeks before the week in which the baby is due, and earned an average of at least £30 a week for any 13 weeks in this test period.
You could get either:
- £148.68 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, which ever is less for up to 39 weeks
- £27.00 per week for up to 14 weeks
If you are self employed and have paid 13 Class 2 National Insurance contributions in your test period you will be treated as having earnings sufficient to result in the full weekly payment of MA.
To check your eligibility to MA, you can use the Maternity Entitlement Calculator.
When is it paid?
MA is paid for up to 39 weeks and can start from 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth. If you are employed or self-employed, you may delay the start of your MA up until the baby's birth.
However, if you are not employed, your MA will start from the 11th week before the expected week of childbirth.
How do you claim?
Fill in claim form MA1 and send it to Jobcentre Plus together with proof of income, your maternity certificate (MAT B1) and form SMP1 if you have it.
Claim forms can be downloaded here or you can call Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688 (textphone 0800 023 4888).
Send in form MA1 as soon as you can after you are 26 weeks pregnant. Don't delay because you are waiting for MAT B1 or SMP1. You can send them later. If you claim more than 3 months after the start of your MA period you may lose money.
If you are not entitled to MA, the Jobcentre Plus should check if you can get Employment and Support Allowance instead.
STATUTORY PATERNITY PAY
If you are entitled to Statutory Paternity Leave, you may also be entitled to statutory paternity pay (SPP). You can get this if you have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due and have average earnings of at least £112 a week. If the child is adopted you must remain in employment until he/she is placed with you for adoption.
It is paid by employers for up to 2 weeks. You must give your employer at least 28 days (or as soon as reasonably practicable) notice of the date you want your SPP to start. You can use form SC3 to notify your employer.
If you can't get SPP your employer must give you a form SPP1 explaining why you don't qualify. You may be able to claim income support during paternity leave.
SURE-START MATERNITY GRANT
If you get certain means tested benefits, you may qualify for the £500 Sure Start maternity grant from the social fund. See 'Social Fund'.
DIAL Disclaimer
Whilst all the information given in this document was correct at the time of going to press, DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.
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Local Housing Allowance applies to most tenants who rent their home from a private landlord. Local Housing Allowance is based on the number of bedrooms you need, not how many bedrooms your home has or how much rent you have to pay.
Who will not be affected by Local Housing Allowance?
Local Housing Allowance will not apply to you if:
- You rent your home from the council.
- You rent your home from a registered provider, for example, a registered housing association.
- You live in supported housing provided by a housing association or registered charity or voluntary organisation.
- You live in a caravan, houseboat or hostel.
- A substantial part of your rent is for board and attendance, for example, if you live in hotel accommodation.
- Your tenancy is protected from rent restrictions, for example, tenancies which were entered into before January 1989.
Special rules for single people over 35 and couples with no children.
Single people over the age of 35 and couples with no children will only be allowed the 1 bedroom Local Housing Allowance rate if they actually rent a property of at least this size. If these people are living in accommodation where they share facilities like a living room, kitchen or bathroom, they will only be allowed the Local Housing Allowance rate for shared accommodation. The current Local Housing Allowance rates are published on the Doncaster Council website here so that landlords and prospective tenants are clear about the maximum amount of rent Housing Benefit will cover.
Payment of Local Housing Allowance
Under the Local Housing Allowance rules the payment will normally be sent to you. You will then be responsible for paying your rent to your landlord. In certain circumstances the payment can be made to the landlord direct. Contact you local Housing Benefit office for further information. If the decision is made to pay your landlord directly, this will only be for a short period. Your circumstances will be reviewed regularly to check it is still appropriate to pay your landlord.
Further Information
If you have any more questions about Local Housing Allowance and how it affects you please contact your local benefits office. You can also get further general information about Local Housing Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions.
Website: www.gov.uk. This website gives more information about Local Housing Allowance.
For more information contact:
Doncaster Council
Housing Benefit Section
Civic Office
Waterdale
Doncaster
DN1 3BU
Tel: 01302 735336 (general enquiries)
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.doncaster.gov.uk
DIAL Disclaimer
Whilst all the information given in this document was correct at the time of going to press, DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.
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Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) is for people who are unemployed and who are actively seeking work.
There are two forms of JSA:
Contributory-based JSA
This is based on the Jobseekers National Insurance contribution record.
It is payable for up to six months and is taxable. To claim you must be present in the UK.
Income Based JSA
This is calculated in the same way as Income Support. To claim you must be present in the UK, habitually reside and have the rights to habitually reside.
How much is JSA? (2019):
Contributory-Based JSA
Aged under 25 - £57.90
Aged 25 or over - £73.10
Income-Based JSA
This amount will vary as it is calculated in the same way as Income Support so is dependent upon your current circumstances.
How to claim JSA:
You should make a claim for JSA on the first day of being unemployed. JSA is administered by Jobcentre Plus. You will have most contact via a personal adviser at the local office where you sign on.
To make a claim, ring the national claim number 0800 055 6688, textphone 0800 023 4888 between 8.00am-6.00pm Monday-Friday. Your details will be taken, and an appointment will be arranged for you to see a financial assessor and a personal adviser. You will be required to sign a Jobseekers Agreement. The interviews will be held at your local Jobcentre Plus and will usually take place on the same day. The Call Centre will send you claim documents, which should be completed by you and taken along to your interviews. Jobcentre Plus does prefer claims to be completed by phone. However, heavy demand on the Call Centres sometimes means that claim packs are sent out. If you have difficulty using a telephone you can request a paper claim pack be sent to you for completion.
A claim for Jobseeker's Allowance can be made online by clicking the link below. This link will redirect you to the GOV.UK Website.
Make a claim for Jobseeker's Allowance
Please note that Universal Credit will replace certain benefits for anyone under Pension Credit age. Income Based JSA will be abolished between now and 2017 and will be paid as part of Universal Credit.
DIAL Disclaimer
Whilst all the information given in this document was correct at the time of going to press, DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.
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Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is a benefit for people who have become ill or disabled either as a result of an accident at work (industrial accident) or a prescribed disease. Click the link to see the Prescribed Diseases List. This link takes you to the DWP Website. This scheme does not cover certain groups of people, e.g. if you are self employed, a member of the Armed Forces or some trainees.
The amount you receive is dependent on your individual circumstances. The level of your disability will affect the amount of benefit you may receive. You will be assessed by a 'medical advisor' on a scale of 1-100%. Normally you must be assessed as 14% disabled or more to be able to get the benefit.
HOW MUCH DO YOU GET?
2019/20 Rates
Percentages and amounts
- 20% - £35.80
- 30% - £53.70
- 40% - £71.60
- 50% - £89.50
- 60% - £107.40
- 70% - £125.30
- 80% - £143.20
- 90% - £161.10
- 100% - £179.00
Note: Lower rates apply to under -18s without dependants
HOW DO YOU CLAIM IIDB?
You should claim IIDB's from your regional IIDB Delivery Centre - Tel: 0345 758 5433 (Yorkshire & Humber) or go to www.gov.uk to download a claim form.
You should get form BI100A for an accident; BI00PD for any of the prescribed industrial diseases.
DIAL Disclaimer
Whilst all the information given in this document was correct at the time of going to press, DIAL Doncaster cannot be held responsible for any subsequent changes.
