Other benefits you may be entitled to

If you are on a low income or have no income at all you may be entitled to receive help from the Government. The main benefits that are available are:

Income Support

You can claim Income Support if you live in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland and you are:  

• Sick or disabled
• A single parent or single foster parent, or
• Getting Invalid Care Allowance for looking after someone

Your entitlement to Income Support is worked out by taking into account your income (and your partner's), savings and personal circumstances.  

If you have savings of more than £8000, unfortunately you will not qualify for this particular benefit.

However, if you start working for more than 16 hours a week, or your partner works for 24 hours or more a week, your Income Support will cease.

For more information about Income Support you should contact the Department for Work and Pensions. You can find their contact details by clicking here.

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Jobseeker's Allowance

If you are unemployed and looking for work, you may be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance.  

If you have paid enough National Insurance contributions, you may be able to get contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance for up to six months. If you are not entitled to contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or if it does not meet your needs, you may qualify for income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.  

For more information about JSA you should contact the Employment Service Jobcentres at:

Blandford

50 East Street
Blandford
United Kingdom
DT11 7UE
Telephone: 01258 434300

Shaftesbury

5 High Street
Shaftesbury
United Kingdom
SP7 8HZ
Telephone: 01747 883000

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Tax Credits

Working Tax Credit

Working Tax Credit replaced the adult element of Working Families Tax Credit and Disabled Person's Tax Credit from April 2003.  

Working Tax Credit is for people who are in paid work, who:

• Work 16 hours or more a week
• Are paid for that work, and
• Expect to work for at least 4 weeks

AND who are:

• Aged 16 or over and responsible for at least one child, or
• Aged 16 or over and disabled, or
• Aged 25 or over and usually work at least 30 hours a week

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

Child Tax Credit

Child Tax Credit replaced the child elements of Working Families Tax Credit and Disabled Person's Tax Credit from April 2003 (as well as child elements of Income Support & Job Seekers Allowance). Child Tax Credit is for people who are responsible for at least one child or qualifying young person.

The amount of tax credits you may receive will depend on your annual income & circumstances.

For more information about Tax Credits and/or to apply on-line please visit the Tax Credits website, www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk. Or you can contact the Inland Revenue direct on 0845 300 3900.

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Pension Credit

Pension Credit is an entitlement for people aged 60 and over. It ensures that all pensioners have a minimum level of income and that certain pensioners aged 65 and over are rewarded for saving and having additional pensions.

It does not matter how much savings you have for this particular benefit.

For more information about Pension Credits, you should contact The Pension Service. You can find their contact details by clicking here.

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