1. Introduction (912 words)

State Benefits & Tax Credits 2004 is the latest edition of the Labour Research Department's annual guide to the benefits system. It gives the ...

2. Jobseeker's Allowance (2515 words)

Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) is the main benefit available to those who are unemployed and seeking work. The JSA personal allowance is taxable, but any ...

3. Statutory Sick Pay (1230 words)

If you are in paid work but fall ill for a period of four or more calendar days in a row, you may qualify ...

4. Incapacity Benefit (1565 words)

Incapacity Benefit (IB) is a contributions-based benefit paid to qualifying individuals who are not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) (see chapter 3) and ...

5. Benefits for disabled people and their carers (1065 words)

If you have an illness or disability and are working, you may be entitled to Working Tax Credit (see chapter 16). If you are ...

6. Benefits for those with an industrial injury or disease (1196 words)

If you have had an accident at work or contracted an industrial disease you should be able to claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB). ...

7. Maternity, paternity and adoption benefits (1971 words)

All workers exercising their rights to maternity, paternity or adoption leave and pay have the right not to be dismissed for that reason. Additionally ...

8. Child Benefit (337 words)

Child Benefit (CB) is a tax-free benefit paid to anyone who is responsible for a child living with them, or is contributing to the ...

9. Bereavement benefits (774 words)

If your husband or wife dies you may be entitled to: ...

10. Retirement Pension (1619 words)

If you are nearing pension age - 65 for a man, 60 for a woman - you should make sure that your right to ...

11. Pension Credit (999 words)

The Pension Credit was introduced in October 2003 to replace Income Support and the Minimum Income Guarantee for those over 60. Eligibility is determined ...

12. Income Support (1904 words)

Income Support (IS) is a means-tested benefit available to those whose income is below a certain level. ...

13. Housing Benefit (1369 words)

Housing Benefit is a means-tested benefit to help those on a low income with the cost of their rent or similar payments (such as ...

14. Council Tax Benefit (1514 words)

Council Tax Benefit is a mean-tested benefit available to help those on a low income with the cost of their council tax. ...

15. Child Tax Credit (1037 words)

In April 2003 the Child Tax Credit was introduced as a new system of support for children. It replaced the previous Children's Tax Credit, ...

16. Working Tax Credit (1462 words)

In April 2003 the Working Tax Credit replaced the Working Families Tax Credit, Disabled Person's Tax Credit and New Deal 50 Plus Employment Credit. ...

17. The Social Fund (763 words)

The social fund is a government fund that makes payments in certain circumstances. To be eligible, you must be in receipt of certain means-tested ...

Appendix 1: Applicable amounts for means-tested benefits (368 words)

The table shows the amounts used to calculate the "applicable amount" in respect of Income Support (IS), income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Housing Benefit (HB) ...

Appendix 2: Further help and information (739 words)

Age Concern ...