In this section

Financial support you may be entitled to

This section is accurate to the best of our knowledge. However, the rules can change and you should contact the relevant organisation for up-to-date details of the benefits you may qualify for.

 
Name of benefit Who may qualify Where to find more
information and help

This benefits table is not a complete list of all benefits available. Please contact Jobcentre Plus to find out if you're entitled to any other benefits.
Child Benefit

You may qualify if you're responsible for a child and your child is:

  • under 16, or
  • 16 or 17, has left relevant education or training and is registered for work, education or training with an approved body (see website for details), or
  • under 20 and in relevant education or training.

HM Revenue and Customs
www.hmrc.gov.uk
Working Tax Credit

You may qualify if you're aged 16 or over and:

  • you work 16 hours or more a week and you either
    • (a) are responsible for a child, or
    • (b) have a disability, or
  • work 30 hours or more a week and you're aged 25 or over.

As part of the Working Tax Credit you may qualify for help towards the costs of registered or approved childcare.

HM Revenue and Customs
www.hmrc.gov.uk
Child Tax Credit

You may qualify if you're responsible for a child and your child is:

  • under 16, or
  • 16 or 17, has left relevant education or training and is registered for work, education or training with an approved body (see website for details) or
  • under 20 and in relevant education or training.

Whether you qualify will depend on your earnings and circumstances.

HM Revenue and Customs
www.hmrc.gov.uk
Income Support

If you're a single parent with care of a child, you may qualify for Income Support if your youngest child is under 16.
From late 2008, this applies to single parents with a child under 12.

Jobcentre Plus
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

If you're unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week and looking for full-time work.

Jobcentre Plus
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

If you're not working because of ill health or disability (for new customers only from 27 October 2008)

Jobcentre Plus
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Free school meals
  • You may be eligible if you are claiming Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or
  • your gross annual income is below £14,155, or
  • you work under 16 hours a week.

Contact your local education authority.
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

In England and Wales, you may qualify if you are aged between 16 and 18 and continue your learning on a course or training, and your household income is less than £30,810.

In Scotland, there are different conditions. See the EMA Scotland website for details.

EMA: www.direct.gov.uk/ema

England and Wales: www.ema.direct.gov.uk

Scotland: www.emascotland.com
Free prescriptions, dental treatment and eye tests

You may qualify if you:

  • are claiming Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or
  • are pregnant, or
  • have given birth in the last 12 months, or
  • are under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education.

For free prescriptions, see the form on the back of your prescription.

For free dental treatment or eye tests for children, ask at your dentist and opticians.
Housing Benefit

You may qualify if you are:

  • receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. If so, you will receive the maximum Housing Benefit available (unless there are other non-dependant adults living in your home), or
  • on a low income and don't have more than £16,000 in savings or other assets (you can get some help towards your rent, even if you are in work).
  • See the claim form in your Income Support/ Jobseeker's Allowance/ Employment and Support Allowance claim pack. Your local council may send you another form to complete.
  • Contact the benefits department at your local council (the number is in your local phone book).
Council Tax Benefit

You may qualify if you are:

  • receiving Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance – if so, you will receive the maximum help available, or
  • on a low income and don't have more than £16,000 in savings or other assets (you can get some help towards your Council Tax, even if you are in work), or
  • a single person – you will automatically qualify for a 25% Council Tax discount if you are the only adult in your household.
  • There is a claim form in your Income Support/ Jobseeker's Allowance/ Employment and Support Allowance claim pack. Your local council may send you another form to complete.
  • Contact the benefits department at your local council (the number is in your local phone book).