1. Introduction (637 words)

State Benefits 2002 aims to provide a straightforward guide to the main state benefits currently available. It gives the new rates of benefit effective ...

2. Jobseeker's Allowance (2129 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 (1292 words)

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

4. Incapacity Benefit (1834 words)

Incapacity Benefit is a contributions-based benefit paid to qualifying individuals excluded from Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) (see page 11) and to those with a ...

5. Benefits for disabled people and their carers (1205 words)

If you have an illness or disability and are working, you may be entitled to Disabled Person's Tax Credit (see chapter 15). If you ...

6. Benefits for those with an industrial injury or disease (1349 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 benefits (1521 words)

You have the legal right not to be dismissed or made redundant for pregnancy-related reasons during your pregnancy and for the whole of your ...

8. Child Benefit (237 words)

Child Benefit (CB) is a tax-free benefit paid to those responsible for looking after a child. ...

9. Bereavement benefits (699 words)

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

10. Retirement Pension (1578 words)

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

11. Income Support (1866 words)

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

12. Housing Benefit (1433 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 ...

13. Council Tax Benefit (1469 words)

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

14. Working Families Tax Credit (923 words)

Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) is payable to low or middle income families who are working 16 or more hours a week, either for ...

15. Disabled Person's Tax Credit (759 words)

Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC) is payable to people with an illness or disability who are in work. It is administered by the Inland ...

16. The Social Fund (755 words)

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

Appendix 1: Applicable amounts for means-tested benefits (302 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 (672 words)

Astral House, 1268 London Road, London SW16 4ER, tel: 020 8765 7200 or 0800 009966 for the factsheet helpline, www.ageconcern.org.uk ...