Benefits
There are many benefits, so you may not be aware of your eligibility. Sometimes, receiving one benefit will open the door to entitlement to others.
You may be entitled to receive benefits if you are on a low income or have certain costs to meet because of your personal situation, for example, if you :-
- have dependent children
- are sick or disabled
- are caring for someone
- are aged 60 or over
- have been bereaved
- are pregnant or have recently had a baby.
Check your entitlement online at the website entitledto.co.uk.
You may also be entitled to tax credits. The "Money, Tax, and Benefits" section of the government website direct.gov.uk will link you to useful internet information.
The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) produces a range of leaflets to help you.
The NHS provides a helpline for people stressed by the credit crunch. Telephone 0300 123 2000.
You can also get advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) - www.nacab.org.uk (England & Wales) www.cas.org.uk (Scotland) www.citizensadvice.org.uk (Northern Ireland) or any of the agencies listed under Debt Advice / Counselling.
The government provides additional help with housing costs – if you are a tenant this is Housing Benefit, if you have a mortgage this is Support for Mortgage Interest. You have to make a claim for these benefits – information on how to do so is available at Jobcentre Plus or the Pensions Service
