Are you receiving the benefits you’re entitled to?

If you are unsure about whether you are entitled to any benefits, we highly recommend you use the website http://entitledto.co.uk.  By answering a few basic questions on this website, you can work out if you are entitled to any of the main benefits.

We also recommend that you visit your local Jobcentre Plus for Social Security benefits, the HMRC for child benefit and tax credits, Cornwall Council for council tax and housing benefit and the Pensions Service for pension credit queries.  You may also find it beneficial to contact your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Social Fund

If you are on a low income, on benefits and struggling to pay for essential services and products, the social fund may be able to help you.  You can either visit your local Jobcentre Plus office or find more information about the Social Fund on the link http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk. If you have no other way of accessing money, the Social Fund can, for example, give you a payment, grant or loan to help with the following:

• Items for the house such as furniture (Community Care Grant or Budgeting Loan);
• Travel costs (Community Care Grant or Budgeting Loan);
• Clothes and footwear  (Community Care Grant or Budgeting Loan);
• Urgent costs to keep you and your family safe (Crisis Loans);
• Items for a new baby (Sure Start Maternity Grant);
• A funeral;
• Heating costs in very cold weather (Cold Weather Payment); and
• Heating costs during the winter for people aged 60 or over (Winter Fuel Payment).

Crisis Loans

A Crisis Loan is a tax-free loan that you have to pay back, however no interest is charged. You do not have to be on benefits to apply for a crisis loan but it is only awarded if there is no other way you can get help.  A crisis loan can be awarded, for example, if it is the only way to stop serious damage or risk to you or your family’s health and safety.

For more information about crisis loans, visit http://www.direct.gov.uk. 

There is an overall loan limit of £1,500 and if you already owe money from past loans, this debt plus your new loan amount cannot exceed £1,500.

Other benefits

There are some benefits that http://entitledto.co.uk doesn’t include and therefore it is worth checking the following list.

• Support for Mortgage Interest

You may be eligible for interest payments on your mortgage, if you are struggling to pay your monthly payments.  If your savings are under £16,000 and you are in receipt of other benefits you can apply.  For more information, visit http://www.direct.gov.uk or go to your local Jobcentre Plus office.  We also recommend that you speak to your mortgage provider immediately to discuss your situation and how they can help you.

• Discretionary Housing Payment

In addition to the main housing and council tax benefits, each council has a set budget useable for discretionary housing payments. If you get housing and council tax benefits but are having difficulty paying the rest of your rent, you may be able to get a discretionary housing payment.  Contact Cornwall Council’s Housing Services or your local One Stop Shop for further information, or click on the link http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=3017.

Read more......