Benefits and Tax Credits Checklist (BTCC)

Introduction

The following is a list of some of the benefits and tax credits available that will be of interest to people who are ill or disabled and their carers. It includes sickness, disability, carer, bereavement, unemployment and child related benefits but does not cover maternity/paternity benefits.

If you fit more than one circumstance you may be able to get the benefits on each list.

Bereavement

If you are a widow or widower you may be able to get:

bereavement allowance
bereavement payment
social fund
widowed parent’s allowance

Children

If you are responsible for a child you may be able to get:

child benefit
child tax credit
education benefits
guardian’s allowance
working tax credit

If you have a disabled child you may be able to get:

child benefit
child tax credit
disability living allowance
education benefits
guardian’s allowance
working tax credit

If you have children at school you may be able to get:

child benefit
child tax credit
education benefits
working tax credit

Low income

If you are under 60 and on a low income you may be able to get:

income support

If you are over 60 and on a low income you may be able to get:

pension credit

Sickness and disability

If you are a carer you may be able to get:

carer’s allowance
council tax benefit
income support
housing benefit

If you are sick or disabled you may be able to get:

attendance allowance
council tax benefit
council tax reduction
disability living allowance
housing benefit
industrial injuries benefits
incapacity benefit
income support
NHS benefits
statutory sick pay

Work

If you or your partner work 16 hours or more a week you may be able to get:

working tax credit

If you are unemployed you may be able to get:

jobseeker’s allowance
jobseeker’s allowance
NHS benefits

More about each benefit

You can get more information about the benefits mentioned on our website at www.cara-online.org. Much of this information is contained in factsheets available at www.cara-online.org.

You can also obtain copies of these publications by contacting Central Africa’s Rights and AIDS (CARA) Society on 020 7254 6415 or by fax on 020 7254 6415 or email: caraas@hotmail.com or info@cara-online.org

Where can I get more help or advice?

You can get help at a local advice centre, such as a citizen's advice bureau. You can get more information about this from our factsheet F15, Finding a local advice centre, which is available at www.cara-online.org.

September 2007