Benefits
You may be entitled to support if you're no longer working.
Child Benefit
You could be entitled to monthly payments from the government, to help you with the cost of raising your children.
You might be able to claim up to £1,248 a year in Child Benefit for your first child (paid every 4 weeks, or weekly in certain circumstances), which could be worth almost £20,000 by the time they’re 16, or more if you have more than one child. A claim can be submitted from the day after the birth is registered. To make sure you receive all of the money you’re entitled to, it’s a good idea to claim as soon as possible.
There’s more to Child Benefit than just payments, you’ll also:
- receive National Insurance credits which count towards your State Pension
- make sure your child automatically gets a National Insurance number when they’re 16 years old
If you or your partners’ adjusted net income is over £50,000 a year, whoever has the higher income will need to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge or you can opt out of payments when you make your claim. Either way, you’ll still get National Insurance credits and it’s always worth checking how much money you could get. For more information, visit GOV.UK - High Income Child Benefit Charge.
Claiming is easy and can be done on GOV.UK - Make a claim. For claims made online (by logging in to a Government Gateway account, or taking just a few minutes to set one up if using for the first time), your first monthly payment could arrive in as little as 3 working days.
If you know someone that has recently had a child, share this information with them.
New Style Jobseeker's Allowance
If you're looking for work and have paid enough class 1 National Insurance contributions, you can claim New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA).
For more information and to make a claim, visit GOV.UK - New Style Jobseeker's Allowance.
New Style Employment and Support Allowance
If you're ill or have a health condition and have paid enough class 1 National Insurance contributions, you can claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). This can be claimed alongside Universal Credit.
For more information and to make a claim, visit GOV.UK - New Style Employment and Support Allowance.
Universal Credit
If you're of working age and need help with your living needs, including rent, you can make a claim for Universal Credit by visiting GOV.UK - How to claim Universal Credit.
An advanced payment (that needs to be paid back over 12 months), will be offered when making a claim for Universal Credit. Paying back can be delayed by up to 3 months if requested. For more information, visit GOV.UK - Universal Credit advances.
If you're no longer working, or your income or pay has changed, you should update your Universal Credit online journal to let the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) know. They will adjust your claim and let us know to award or change your Council Tax Support.
Pension Credit
If you and a partner are both of pensionable age, you can make a claim for Pension Credit by visiting GOV.UK - Pension Credit. If you also need help paying your rent or Council Tax, you can claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support.
Statutory Sick Pay
You may get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks. For more information, visit GOV.UK - Statutory Sick Pay.
Parents and family support
Extra help is available for low income families to support children with complex needs. For more information, visit GOV.UK - support for children with complex needs.
Family Fund provide help for families with seriously ill or disabled children. If you're eligible, you can apply for a grant that can go towards the cost of equipment, goods or services.
Help to Save
Help to Save is a savings account for those on a low income. It allows certain people entitled to Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credit (and entitled to Working Tax Credit), and Universal Credit to get a bonus on their savings. For more information, visit GOV.UK - Get help with savings if you’re on a low income (Help to Save).
Bereavement support payments
You may be able to get Bereavement Support Payment if your husband, wife, or civil partner died in the last 21 months. For more information, visit GOV.UK - Bereavement Support Payment.
The Old Enfield Charitable Trust
The Old Enfield Charitable Trust is an independent charity serving residents and workers in the area of Enfield. They support individuals, families and organisations in need of financial help.