Receiving benefits

If you are on a low income or having financial difficulty meeting costs because of your personal circumstances then you may be entitled to financial help.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can offer benefits or support to those who qualify.

You may be able to claim for benefits if:

• you are on a low income (employed or looking for work)
• you have children living with you
• you are sick or disabled
• you are caring for someone
• you are aged 60 or over
• you have been bereaved
• you are pregnant or have recently had a baby
• you are a parent attending a full time college course

Benefits for people of working age

If you are looking for work, or are in a low paid job you can get financial help and support from job centre plus and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Benefits for people who have retired or who are planning to retire

Everyone is entitled to a basic state pension, and many people of pensionable age are entitled to other benefits.

Benefits for families and children

Everyone who has a child is entitled to claim child benefit. Additional support is available for families who may have children with special needs, lone parent families and families' expecting a baby.

Benefits for disabled people and carers

There is a range of support available for people who are sick, or who are disabled, and there is support for the people who care for them. The help you receive will depend on your individual circumstances.

What if I have savings; can I still get benefits?

In recent months there have been changes to the benefit rules which means that you may be entitled to receive financial support with savings up to £16,000. This also applies to pensioners who apply for or receive the state pension.

Changes that affect your benefits

If you get benefits and your circumstances change, you must tell your local Jobcentre plus or benefits office as soon as possible.

Some examples of the changes you need to report include:

• getting married or moving in with a partner or civil partner
• moving house
• getting a new job
• getting a pay rise
• taking in a lodger
• no longer being sick or ill
• moving abroad.

If you do not report a change as soon as it happens you might be paid too much benefit. This is called an "overpayment".

It's important to report any overpayment to the office that deals with your benefit as soon as possible and to answer any letters you get about it promptly.

If you know you've been overpaid but don't do anything about it, you could be suspected of committing benefit fraud. If the overpayment is found to be your fault, because, for example, you didn't report a change in your circumstances or gave wrong information- you will have to pay it back.

If you deliberately fail to report changes in your personal circumstances, you are treated as having committed benefit fraud. If you're prosecuted for benefit fraud you could be fined or even receive a prison sentence.

Find out what benefits you are entitled to now.

Jobcentre plus will help you with any questions you have about your benefits situation.

Call a member if the team on 0800 0 55 66 88 to make a benefit claim.

(Text phone: 0800 0 23 48 88 if you have hearing impairment or speech difficulties).

Brent Housing Partnership and the Council's One Stop Service can also give you advice and assistance to claim benefits.

Please contact the Income Management Team on 020 8937 2740/ 2730 for more information.