Introduction (929 words)

State Benefits and Tax Credits 2009 is the latest edition of the Labour Research Department’s annual guide to the benefits system. It gives the ...

1. Help if you are on a low income, whether in or out of work (5869 words)

There are a number of benefits — primarily Working Tax Credit, Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance — available to people on low incomes, depending ...

2. Help if you are sick, injured at work or disabled (6349 words)

There are numerous benefits that you may be able to claim if you are sick, injured at work or disabled. What you get depends ...

3. Benefits and credits for parents and children (3345 words)

Benefits available to help parents and guardians raise their children include: ...

4. Retirement Pension and Pension Credit (2346 words)

Once you reach the state pension age (currently 65 for men and 60 for women, but see the box below), you may be able ...

5. Help with housing costs (3140 words)

Means-tested benefits are available to people on low incomes to help with accommodation costs. Housing and Council Tax Benefits cover rent or similar payments ...

6. Help if your husband, wife or civil partner dies (847 words)

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

7. Calculating means-tested benefits (327 words)

Income Support (IS), income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefit (CTB) are means-tested benefits that depend on your income. This ...

Further help and information (941 words)

The state benefits system is run mainly by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), while HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) administers tax credits. ...