Benefits

What may you be entitled to?

There are a range of benefits that people can apply for to help in different circumstances. Some benefits are administered by other local authorities and some are administered by central government.

Use an independent benefits calculator to find out:

• what benefits you could get
• how to claim
• how your benefits will be affected if you start work

These are free to use and anonymous.

Benefits calculators (GOV.UK)

If you are unsure, help is available from City of York Council and other local agencies.

Types of benefits

Benefits are a means of financial help you can claim from the government. They give people support in order to live their lives, or to help them while they find work.

There are a range of benefits that people can apply for to help in different circumstances. Some benefits are administered by other local authorities and some are administered by central government.

The GOV.UK website has details of all the benefits including:

• Universal Credit - Applying, signing into your account, and help with housing, disability, health conditions and unemployment
• Tax credits - Getting Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, managing your tax credits and when tax credits stop
• Jobseeker's Allowance and low income benefits - Getting JSA, Income Support, Budgeting Loans and other help if you’re on a low income
• Carers and disability benefits - Help for disabilities including Personal Independence Payment, Carer's Allowance, and Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Benefit - Getting and managing your Child Benefit
• Benefits for families - Getting maternity pay, help with childcare and free school meals
• Heating and housing benefits - Getting Housing Benefit, Winter Fuel Payment, Cold Weather Payment and other help for housing costs
• Death and benefits - Getting Widowed Parent's Allowance, Bereavement Payment and other help when someone dies

It is very important you claim the benefits you are entitled to – they exist to help you. If you are unsure, help is available from City of York Council and other local agencies. Further information is available at www.york.gov.uk/BenefitsAdvice

Local discretionary support

York Financial Assistance Scheme (YFAS)

Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)

Council Tax Discretionary Reduction (CTDR)

Details can be found on the Benefits section of the City of York Council website.

Disability related benefits

If you have a disability, an illness, a long term health condition, affected by mental ill-health, or misuse drugs or alcohol. There are some benefits you can claim to help you:

• Attendance Allowance, if aged 65 and over
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if aged under 65
• Employment Support Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Council Tax Reduction

More information is available on the Benefits section of the City of York Council website.

Benefits for Carers and the cared for

You are a Carer if you are providing support and assistance to a family member or friend who has a disability, an illness, a long term health condition, a mental health condition, or misuses drugs or alcohol. There are some benefits you can claim as a Carer to help you:

• Council Tax Reduction
• Carers Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Disability Premiums
• Pension Credit

Benefits for Pensioners

You'll be able to claim the new State Pension if you're:

• A man born on or after 6 April 1951
• A woman born on or after 6 April 1953

The earliest that you can get the new State Pension is when you reach State Pension age.

If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, you'll get the State Pension under the old rules instead.

Find out more at: https://www.gov.uk/new-state-pension

If you are on a low income you may also be able to receive:

• Pension Credit
• Council Tax Support
• Free TV Licence, if over 75

Free TV Licences for those over 75

• New regulations have come into force on 1 August 2020 which limit the number of free TV Licences.
• The only households that will receive a free TV Licence will be those over 75 and in receipt of Pension Credit.

For those who receive Pension Credit

• If you received a free TV Licence before 31 July 2020 and you and your partner at the same address both receive Pension Credit, to acquire a new free TV Licence you need to apply via the TV Licensing Page
• If you have never been covered by a Free TV Licence and you think you may be eligible for one, please contact TV Licensing to request an application form on 0300 790 6117 (the lines are open from Monday- Friday 08:30am-6:30pm). With your application form you'll need include Pension Credit and proof of age documents.

If you need to apply for Pension Credit

• You can find out if you are eligible for pension credit and learn more about applying for it by using the Government's Pension Credit Toolkit.
• The free online Pension Credit Calculator can also tell you how much you are likely to receive.
• The TV Licensing website includes further answers to frequently asked questions.
• You can make a claim for Pension Credit online or by calling the Department for Work & Pensions on 0800 99 1234 (opening hours are 9:00am-6:00pm)

Get Money & Benefits Advice

Free independent advice and support is available for all residents on social welfare issues including benefits, debts, employment, housing and immigration