It’s important to be aware of the benefits that are available to ensure that you are receiving everything you are entitled to.
There are several benefits available. The most common benefits that you will come across are:
You can out more information about other benefits available by visiting the following websites:
The best way to maximise your income is to complete a better off calculation which will identify all the benefits you could be entitled to based on your circumstances.
This includes any salary, benefits, savings and pension.
This includes your address and details of your household.
This includes your rent, childcare expenses, council tax etc.
See below links to some benefit calculators:
If you are a current St Mungo’s clients you can get support from:
You can also get free expert advice from the following:
You can find out more information here
You will usually have to pay council tax for the property you live in.
You may be entitled to a reduction if you are, unemployed, on a low income or disabled.
If you live alone you are entitled to a 25% reduction on your council tax bill.
You may be exempt from paying council tax if you are in education/training, in a hostel/night shelter or have a severe mental impairment or learning disability.
Ensure you do the following:
You need to apply for Council Tax Reduction through your local council.
Find out more information about Council Tax and Council Tax Reduction here:
Find out more information about PIP here:
There are 10 daily living components which will be assessed.
There are 2 mobility components which will be assessed.
Find out more information about the form including the components here:
You may no longer be entitled to Universal Credit and cannot make a new claim for Personal Independence Payment.
You can continue to claim some benefits such as housing benefits, council tax support, and carer's allowance.
You may be able to claim State Pension, Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance and/or winter fuel payments.
This is the current age to receive State Pension, however, this is kept under review and may change in the future.
Watch this video to find out more more information on checking your State Pension age, NI contribution and filling in any gaps:
Watch this video to find out how to apply for State Pension:
Find out more information about State Pension here:
Watch this video explanation of Pension Credit:
Watch this video about using the Pension Credit calculator:
Find out more information about Pension Credit here:
Find out more information about Attendance Allowance here:
Once you reach State Pension age, you may be eligible for some other benefits/concessions such as:
Find out more information about reaching State Pension age here.
DHP does not cover some forms of rent arrears, furniture/household items and benefit reductions due to sanctions and overpayment.
DHP can help with housing costs such as rent in advance, deposits, removal costs, benefit reductions due to Benefit Cap and differences between rent and Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates.
You can apply if you get either Housing Benefits or the housing element of Universal Credit.
DHP normally covers between 3 to 6 months.
You can find out more information about DHP, what support you can receive and how to apply here:
GOV.UK – Claiming discrectionary housing payments
Advance Payment
You can request an advance before you get your first payment for Universal Credit or after a change of circumstance leading to an increase in your entitlement.
You can borrow up to 100% of your estimated payment.
Budgeting Advance
You can apply for a loan if you have been on Universal Credit, some legacy benefits and Pension Credit for 6 months or more. It can cover things like:
You can borrow between £100 and £348 if you are single without children.
When you apply for a budgeting advance the adviser will assess your ability to make repayments including looking at existing debts you have.
You will have to pay back the loan but you will not have to pay any interest on it.
You can make payments across 24 months. For advanced payments for existing claimants the repayment period is 6 months.
Speak to your work coach
You can request it during an appointment with your work coach. Only for advanced payments.
Apply online
You can apply via your journal on your Universal Credit (UC) account. Only for advanced payments.
Call the Universal Credit helpline
0800 328 5644. The line is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. For both Advanced Payments and Budgeting Advances.
Find out more information about Advanced Payments here:
GOV.UK – Get an advance first payment
Money Helper- Universal Credit advance payments and other help
Find out more information about Budgeting Advances here:
Citizen’s Advice – Budgeting advance
You may be able to get a travel discount card for bus and some rail travel if you have been on Universal Credit for at least 3 months.
You can speak to your work coach. It is important that you actively engage with your work coach.
It is given for a minimum of 3 months and can be renewed.
It is a grant available to anyone in receipt of Job Centre benefits. If you are getting the same support from a Work Programme, Work Choice or from any legacy benefits you may not be entitled.
It can help with the specific costs of getting a job.
You can receive the funds more than once.
There is no set amount that can be awarded.
You can speak to your work coach or apply through your journal.
It is awarded at the discretion of your work coach.
You will need to provide evidence that you can't afford the requested support yourself.
Always use the phrase – ‘ to overcome a barrier to work’
If you are a worker supporting a client to make a request, see below an example of a request that was successful:
‘I am currently enrolled on a Construction Multi Skills course at St Mungo’s. I have also been assigned an Employment Adviser who is working with me to find employment in Construction.
My Employment Adviser wants to enrol me on a course to get a CSCS card, as he cannot put me forward for any roles he has until I have this essential qualification.
However I cannot enrol on the course because all CSCS courses are being delivered online due to Covid and I do not have a Tablet or Laptop or internet data and these are essential requirements for me to access the CSCS course.
The lack of a laptop or tablet and internet data is a major barrier to me finding employment and my Employment Adviser has advised me to request help from the Flexible Support Fund.
He has also asked me to pass on his contact details to you as he would like to work with you to support me overcome this barrier to work.
List keyworker’s details:
Name
Job Title
Number
I am happy for him to speak on my behalf to discuss the support St Mungo’s is providing me to find work and to work with you towards this goal.’
You can find out more information about the Flexible Support Fund (FSF) here.
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