Benefits 1: Which Benefit A training session as part of the CAB Service’s Adviser Training Programme for new advisers The material contained in this presentation is the copyright of The Scottish Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux – Citizens Advice Scotland (Scottish charity number SC016637) and may not be reproduced, except by bureaux, without the written consent of the CAS Training Team.

Objectives Identify common benefits that clients in different circumstances may be able to claim Identify the possible range of benefits to which a client may be entitled, given their circumstances Categorise the most common benefits into means-tested benefits, means-tested tax credits, contributory benefits or non-contributory benefits Identify the main information needed from the client in order to identify their benefit entitlement. Benefits 1: Which Benefit

Why have a benefits system? Benefits 1: Which Benefit

Groups of people In this session, we will look at benefits for people who: are of working age are responsible for children are over state retirement pension age pay for housing and council tax have ill health or a disability are carers Benefits 1: Which Benefit

People of working age income support (IS): not required to work income- or contributions- based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA): seeking or available for work Income or contributions- based ESA working tax credit (WTC): working a minimum of 16 or 30 hours Universal Credit (UC) Benefits 1: Which Benefit

People with children available to the primary carer child benefit (CB) paid for every child, income over £50k may be liable to pay tax child tax credit (CTC) paid at varying levels, depending on family income Benefits 1: Which Benefit

People over state pension age state retirement pension based on NI contributions (when reach state pension age) guarantee pension credit means-tested (state retirement pension age and over) savings pension credit if have some savings provision (over 65) Benefits 1: Which Benefit

People who pay housing costs rent covered by housing benefit (HB) mortgage interest covered by: income support (IS) income-related employment and support allowance (i-r ESA) jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) or pension credit (PC) council tax covered by council tax benefit (CTB) Universal Credit Housing Element Benefits 1: Which Benefit

People who have ill health statutory sick pay (SSP) contribution-based employment and support allowance (c-b ESA) income-related employment and support allowance (i-r ESA) Removed IS as is no longer paid on grounds of ill-health RS Benefits 1: Which Benefit

People who have disabilities Personal Independence Payments (PIP): under 65 attendance allowance (AA): 65 and over Daily Living Mobility Care Benefits 1: Which Benefit

People who are carers carer’s allowance Benefits 1: Which Benefit

Four categories of benefits Client on low or no income (means-tested) Client with other needs (non-means-tested) Means-tested benefits ensure that people with low or no income have a minimum amount to live on Contributory benefits replace earnings for people who have paid enough NI contributions Means-tested tax credits provide an amount for people (eg working, with children) who have low or no income Non-contributory benefits are for people with special needs due to their personal circumstances (eg disability) Benefits 1: Which Benefit

What do I consider first? first, check contributory benefits (paid if client has made enough NI contributions) 1 next, check non-contributory benefits (paid if eligibility criteria met) 2 finally, check means-tested benefits and tax credits (paid if eligibility criteria met, and based on benefits calculation) 3 Benefits 1: Which Benefit

Client information needed client’s immigration status client’s personal/family circumstances housing status and costs health / disability issues in household employment income and hours worked other income Benefits 1: Which Benefit

Benefits checklist checklist can be found in the Which Benefit unit and the Trainee Support Pack available on the CAS intranet Benefits 1: Which Benefit

Benefits checklist (continued) your bureau may have its own checklist Benefits 1: Which Benefit

Summary Which Benefit List There are common benefits that people in different circumstances/groups can claim. Benefits can act as a safety net, or help meet costs for other circumstances. You will need to match the eligibility criteria and principles of each benefit to fit these different circumstances. Clients may be entitled to more than one benefit. Benefits can be divided into four categories. Benefits 1: Which Benefit

Summary (continued) Which Benefit List You will need to gather a lot of information about the client for benefits enquiries, but the checklist will help you with this. You’ll always need to check the information system – you don’t have to remember details about the various benefits. Don’t worry! – there will always be people to help you. Even just gathering client information will be a big help. Your cases will be checked, so if you miss something, someone else will pick it up. Benefits 1: Which Benefit