Introduction to the benefits system
Welfare Benefits are payments from central government to people who have no income, or low incomes, or to meet specific needs.
Introduction to the benefits system
The Benefits System
Welfare Benefits are payments from central government to people who have no income, or low incomes, or to meet specific needs.
They can help you if you are unable to work or are out of work, or if you have a low income.
You may also be able to claim benefits if you have children, are pregnant, are sick or disabled or have suffered a bereavement.
Welfare benefits are administered through the Department for Work & Pension (DWP), this department operates through agencies such as job centre plus and the pensions service to administer the appropriate benefits.
Some benefits are administered through local authorities (LA/Councils).
Finally, some employers may pay benefits (such as statutory sick pay) then claim the money back from the government. These are called statutory benefits.
The two main types of Benefits
Non-Means Tested
Contributory
Based on having enough National Insurance (NI) contributions, for example if you lose your job or are unable to work because of illness or disability. Qualification will be dependent on whether you have been credited with enough NI contributions.
Non-Contributory
There could be claimed for additional costs for having a disability or caring for a disabled person. As an example, if you have a disability, you may be able to claim personal independence payment (PIP) for the extra costs associated with your disability.
Statutory
These benefits could be claimed if you are off work due to sickness or maternity. Although there is no means test to qualify there are earnings rules to be satisfied in order for qualification. These benefits are administered via your employer.
Means Tested
Entitlement to means tested benefits is dependent on income, savings and other capital. These benefits can be claimed even if you don’t, he have enough NI contributions. The principal of these benefits is to enable you to avoid poverty. If your income is below a minimum level the government determines you are able to live on, means tested benefits will be paid up to this level.
Calculating Benefit Entitlement
You can use a benefit calculator to check your entitlement to means tested benefits.
There are many different benefits calculators that can be used, our favourite is the Turn2us Benefits Calculator.
The Players Foundation Charity Benefits Advice Service
The charity offers a full benefits advice service, from initial advice on benefit entitlement, to a benefits assessment.
How to Claim Benefits / Appeal the Decision if Refused
· To claim a benefit, you usually have to apply online. There is sometimes an option to make a postal claim or make a claim via a telephone call. Each benefit has its own claiming process, a simple google search will explain what the correct procedure is.
· The claim processes for benefits are designed to be claimant friendly and easy to carry out. However, the procedure can be daunting for some people, for example people with mental health or learning difficulties. In such circumstances, free, impartial and confidential advice can be sought from any national advice charity, the biggest being The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), but also StepChange and PayPlan. They can also advise prior to claim as to whether there is a benefit entitlement.
· If the benefit application is refused there is always an appeal procedure. Sometimes the decision needs to go through a ‘mandatory reconsideration’ before the appeal can be registered. If a claim has been refused it is important to seek advice from a welfare benefits advisor or advice charity in relation to whether an appeal stands a chance of success.
· If the advice is that the decision to refuse the benefit claim should be appealed, then free help and assistance can again be sought from national advice charities detailed above. This advice and assistance can be up to representation at the benefits appeal tribunal hearing. The appeal process can be started on the Government website Appeal a benefit decision: Submit your appeal – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)