Brighton and Hove Citizens Advice Bureau

Benefits

We can help you with a wide range of benefit enquires ranging from identifying your entitlement to benefits to appealing against Disability Living Allowance decisions.

You can access help with basic benefit enquiries including 'better off' calculations via our generalist advice service. See our Home Page for opening times. If you have a more complex enquirey and would like an appointment to see a benefits specialist, contact our administrator on 01273 696616 ext 204.

Am I Eligible?

To find out if you are eligible for specialist assistance, you can check the Community Legal Services online calculator at www.clsdirect.org.uk. Eligibility will variously depend on your income, capital and complexity of your case.

How we can help

Identifying entitlement to benefits such as:

Disability Living allowance	Incapacity Benefit
Income Support & Housing Costs	Attendance Allowance
Tax Credits	Carer's Allowance
Housing Benefits	Maternity/ Paternity Allowance
Council Tax Benefit	Job Seekers Allowance
Sure Start Maternity Grant	Child Benefit
Child Tax Credit	Working Tax Credit
Pension Credit	Social Fund grants and loans

News

Tax Credits

· Changes in Income. From April 2006, a claimant will not have to report any increase in income of £25000 or less (previously £2500). This is because it will not make any difference to the amount of tax credits a claimant will receive in the existing tax year. However, any increase in income will be taken into account in the claimants entitlement to Tax Credits in the following year.

· Have you been overpaid? HM Revenue and Customs has published the new tax credit overpayments Code of Practice. It has changed substantially from the previous version. This latest version ( COP 26) can be found on the HM Revenue and Customs website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/credit.htm. If you believe an overpayment has occurred due to a mistake by the HMRC, you can appeal but you only have one month from the date you were informed of the overpayment. Appeal forms can be downloaded from www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/credit.htm.

You don’t have to have children to get Tax Credits! Tax credits is paid to those with children and those without who are over 25 years, working and on a low income. Find out if you are entitled to Tax Credits by calling the Tax Credit Helpline on 0845 300 900.

Pension Credits:

If you or your partner is aged 60 or over, Pension Credit guarantees an income of at least :- £119.05 a week if you are single. £181.70 a week if you have a partner. For the first time, people aged 65 and over who have made modest arrangements for their retirement may also be rewarded. In the past, those who have managed to save a little were no better off than those who had not saved at all. Pension Credits changed this by giving new money to those who have saved. This could be up to:- £19.05 - single a week. £25.26 - couple a week. .

Child Benefit:

From April 2007, child benefit will also be awarded to those responsible for children aged 20 in full time further education or approved government run training schemes.

Benefits when in hospital:

Changes to the rules about benefits in hospital came into force on 10 April 2006. Patients' benefits will no longer be reduced once they have been in hospital for more that 52 weeks. However, in certain circumstances, being in hospital still affects benefits. For example, increases for dependants paid with non means tested benefits are withdrawn after 52 weeks in hospital, In addition, a person in hospital may cease to count as a member of a couple for the purpose of claiming means tested benefits.

Prescriptions

there are new rates in England from 1 April 2007. Prescription charges increased to £6.85 for a single item, £35.85 for a four month pre payment certificate and £98.70 for a twelve month one. The value of optical vouchers also increase. If you are in receipt of benefits you could claim help with prescription costs - go to link to download an application form