You may be able to get money from the government to help increase your income. There are many different types of benefits available and it's important to check whether you are getting everything you are entitled to.

• How are benefits calculated?
  
• What benefits are available?
  
• How to apply
  

How are benefits calculated?

For most benefits, the amount you get depends on:

• your income,
• your savings,
• your age and personal circumstances.

If you live with your partner your incomes may be added together. Many advice centres have staff who specialise in benefits. They can check whether you are getting all the help you are entitled to and that the amount you get has been calculated correctly.

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What benefits are available?

More information about each of the following benefits is available on the Social Security Agency website.

Housing benefit

Housing benefit can help you to pay your rent or rates. You don't necessarily have to be getting any other benefits.

Child benefit

Child benefit is paid to any person who is bringing up a child. You get a set amount for each child, and it is not affected by your income or savings.

Child tax credit

You can claim child tax credit if you are responsible for one child (or young person) or more. You do not have to be working to claim.

Incapacity benefit

You may be eligible for incapacity benefit if you have been unable to work because of sickness or disability for at least four days in a row. This can include weekends and public holidays. You may be eligible even if you can't get sick pay from your employer.

Invalid care allowance

Invalid care allowance helps people who care for a disabled person for at least 35 hours per week. However, it may affect your other benefits. It could also affect the benefits of the person you care for.

Winter fuel payments

These payments can help with winter heating bills for if you (or someone you live with) is aged 60 or over.

Bereavement Allowance

Bereavement allowance can be paid for 52 weeks from the date your husband or wife died. It is based on the National Insurance contributions of your husband or wife.

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How to apply

To apply for most benefits you will need to fill in a specific form, which you can get from your local Social Security Office , Jobs & Benefits Office or the Social Security Agency website.

Complete and return it as soon as possible. Keep copies of everything and get a receipt in case of problems in the future. You will usually need to give:

• your national insurance number,
• proof of identity (your birth certificate),
• proof of your income or benefits (bank statements or wage slips).

Your claim could be delayed if you do not provide all the information the forms ask for.

The rules on benefits are complicated. An adviser may be able to increase your chances of getting all the benefits you are entitled to.

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