Introduction to State Benefits

> Benefits are paid by the Benefits Agency locally, centrally or through Job Centres.
> Others are paid by local councils.
> Benefits fall into three main groups:

1. Contributory Benefits you can only receive if you have paid enough national insurance contributions, e.g. Jobseeker’s Allowance, Incapacity Benefit.

2. Non-Contributory Benefits you claim because you are in a specific group of people entitled to them, e.g. Disability Benefits,Child Benefit.

3. Income related or means-tested benefits which can be claimed if you have no income or your income is below a certain level. The amount depends on your financial resources such as your earnings and savings, e.g. income based Jobseeker’s Allowance and Housing Benefit.

> The rules on who can receive benefit(s) can be complex and confusing.
Speak with you Connexions Adviser

> Information about benefits and how to claim them can be obtained from your local Benefits Agency or nearest Citizens Advice Bureau.

- Bridging Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Child Benefit extension
- Crisis Loans & Hardship Payments
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Job Seeker's Allowance
- Learning Gateway
- Pregnancy

> Other Benefits that may be available to Young People:

- Statutory Sick Pay
- Incapacity Benefit
- Disability Working Allowance
- Disabled Person's Tax Credit
- Invalid Care Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Statutory Maternity Pay
- Maternity Allowance
- Maternity Payment
- Child Benefit

Click on:
www.adviceguide.org.uk

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