What help can Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit give?

Don't forget that you can still get Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit while you are working, if you are on a low income.

In certain circumstances you can continue to get maximum Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for four weeks after you get a new job, start self-employment or increase your hours to over 16 a week.  This is called an 'extended payment'.

To qualify you must:

• have been getting Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance continuously for at least 26 week.; and
• be starting a job expected to last more than 5 weeks; and
• be under 60 if you are on Income Support.

From April 2001 you must tell the Job Centre or Benefits Agency about your new job within four weeks of starting - the extended payment will then be automatic.

Tax Credits

If you have children and you or your partner receive Child Benefit for them, and you take a job for 16 hours or more a week, you may qualify for Tax Credits.

You may qualify for working tax credit if you are working over 16 hours on a low wage, even if you are not responsible for a child. 

If you are disabled you may be entitled to a disability top up of Tax Credit.

To get a claim pack, telephone the Inland Revenue free on 0845 300 3900, or visit their website by clicking here.

Help with childcare costs

If you have to pay for childcare so that you can go to work, you may get more Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Tax Credits.

To qualify:

• you must be working more than 16 hours a week and
• if you have a partner, they must be working 16 hours or more a week too - or be accepted by the Benefits Agency as unfit for work and
• the childcare must be provided by a registered childminder, registered nursery or an after-school club.

We will need to see bills or receipts for the childcare and need to know who is providing it for you.

You can get full details of the 'in work' benefits and assistance with getting back to work from Job Centre Plus Telephone: 0845 602 1614