Benefits and tax credits may give you support in certain situations where you need it, whether you are working or not. Most people are of course better off working if this is possible.
Click on the calculator below to see how much better off you could be in work or working extra hours:
- Click on the 'Start benefits adviser' button
- Choose the 'Get a benefits estimate now' option
- Enter your circumstances and you will see an estimate of your current income, including benefits
- Click on the 'What if?' button at the bottom right hand corner of the current income page
- Change your circumstances to include what you hope to earn, and you will see an estimate of how much better off you could be, including in work benefits
If you are starting work you may also get extra benefits for a set time, on top of those shown in your estimate. See
Starting Work to find out whether you might be eligible.
Benefits for different situations
To find what support you may be able to get, click on each of the situations below relevant to you. Be sure to click on every relevant situation, otherwise you could miss useful information.
You can also enter your details in to the
Directgov benefits adviser to find out what support you might get; now or if you start a new job.
You will probably be able to find the help you need on this page and using its links. However if you have a benefits or tax credits problem that you cannot deal with yourself, see our
list of advice organisations.
We want your feedback
On a low income
Income Support is a regular payment you may get if you:
- have little or no income
- are below pension age and
- do not sign on as looking for work because, for example, you are bringing up any children alone or care for a disabled person.
Tax Credits are, like benefits, payments from the government. If your income is not above a certain amount and you are:
- bringing up any children, you may be able to get Child Tax Credit
- working, you may be able to get Working Tax Credit
- bringing up any children and working, you may be able to get both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.
Tax Credits are one of the ways that can ensure you are better off if you are working.
Housing Benefit is help to pay all or part of your rent. You may get this benefit if you are on a low income, whether you are working or not.
Council Tax Benefit is help to pay all or part of your Council Tax. You may get this benefit if you are on a low income, whether you are working or not.
Community Care Grant is a one off payment you may be able to get if you need the money to help you live independently in the community or to relieve exceptional pressure on you and your family.
Crisis Loan is a loan you may be able to get if you need money for an emergency. You will have to pay it back, but not with interest.
Funeral Payment is a payment you may be able to get if you are arranging a funeral and are on a low income.
Cold Weather Payment is a payment you may get if you are getting certain income-related benefits (such as Income Support) and it is exceptionally cold in Newham for some time:
You do not need to claim Cold Weather Payment, you should get it automatically if you are eligible.
Health costs: You may be able to get help with certain health costs, such as prescriptions, eye care, dental care and travel costs.
Check this web page for other life situations relevant to you, to see other benefits or tax credits you may be able to get, including those you might get if you are working, see Starting work and In work.
You can also enter your details into the Directgov benefits adviser to find out what support you might get; now or if you start a new job.
Looking for work
Jobseeker’s Allowance is a regular payment you may be able to get if you are looking for work and have no job or work less than 16 hours a week.
Support in finding work: If you have been living in Newham for a year or more, you may be able to get help and
support from Workplace, a recruitment organisation that ensures local people benefit from local jobs. You can also search online for jobs through this
Jobcentre Plus tool.
Check this web page for other life situations relevant to you, to see other benefits or tax credits you may be able to get, including those you might get if you are working, see Starting work and In work..
You can also enter your details into the Directgov benefits adviser to find out what support you might get; now or if you start work.
Starting work
Job grant is a one-off payment for people who move directly from benefits in to work.
You should get the payment automatically if you are eligible. Just tell the Jobcentre Plus office, that deals with your current benefit claim, within 21 days of starting work.
In Work Credit is a regular payment you may be able to get for up to one year after you start work if you are bringing up one or more children alone.
Return to Work Credit is a regular payment that you might get for up to a year when you get a job after being out of work because of sickness or a disability.
Housing Benefit extension is an extra four weeks Housing Benefit you might get when starting work, working more hours or earning more money. You may also get some Housing Benefit after the four weeks, depending on your circumstances and if your earnings are low.
You do not have to claim the extension; if you are eligible we will automatically give you the extension when you tell us about your change in circumstances.
If you are registered at
Workplace, your benefits adviser there can update your Housing Benefit claim when you start work.
Council Tax Benefit extension is an extra four weeks of Council Tax Benefit you might get when starting work, working more hours or earning more money. You may also get some Council Tax Benefit after the four weeks, depending on your circumstances and if your earnings are low.
You do not have to claim the extension; if you are eligible we will automatically give you the extension when you tell us about your change in circumstances.
If you are registered at
Workplace, your benefits adviser there can update your Council Tax Benefit claim when you start work.
Mortgage Interest run on is an extra four weeks of housing costs you might get when starting work, working more hours or earning more money.
You do not have to claim, if you are eligible Jobcentre Plus will automatically give you the run on when you tell them about your change in circumstances.
Tax Credits are, like benefits, payments from the government. If your income is not above a certain amount and you are:
- bringing up any children, you may be able to get Child Tax Credit
- working, you may be able to get Working Tax Credit
- bringing up any children and working, you may be able to get both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.
Tax Credits are one of the ways that can ensure you are better off if you are working.
Check this web page for other life situations relevant to you, to see other benefits or tax credits you may be able to get, including those you might get if you are working, see In Work.
In work
Tax Credits are, like benefits, payments from the government. If your income is not above a certain amount and you are:
- bringing up any children, you may be able to get Child Tax Credit
- working, you may be able to get Working Tax Credit
- bringing up any children and working, you may be able to get both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit..
Tax Credits are one of the ways that can ensure you are better off if you are working.
Housing Benefit is help to pay all or part of your rent. You may get this benefit if you are on a low income, whether you are working or not.
See also..
If you are registered at
Workplace, your benefits adviser there can update your Housing Benefit claim when you start work.
Council Tax Benefit is help to pay all or part of your Council Tax. You may get this benefit if you are on a low income, whether you are working or not.
If you are registered at
Workplace, your benefits adviser there can update your Council Tax Benefit claim when you start work.
Check this web page for other life situations relevant to you and to see other benefits or tax credits you may be able to get. You can also enter your details into the
Directgov benefits adviser to find out what support you might get.
Sick and unable to work
Statutory Sick Pay may be paid regularly by your employer for up to 28 weeks if you are an employee and off work sick.
Employment and Support Allowance is a regular payment you may be able to get if you are not working because you are sick or disabled. If you are able to work, it also provides support to help you get a suitable job and so be better off.
Incapacity Benefit has now been replaced by Employment and Support Allowance (see above) and you can no longer start a new claim.
More information on Incapacity Benefit
Return to Work Credit is a regular payment that you might get for up to a year when you get a job after being out of work because of sickness or a disability.
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is a regular payment you may be able to get if you are sick or disabled because of something that happened in connection with your work.
For accidents..
For diseases or deafness..
Health costs: You may be able to get free prescriptions and sight tests.
Check this web page for other life situations relevant to you, to see other benefits or tax credits you may be able to get, including those you might get if you can start work, see Starting work and In work.
You can also enter your details in to the Directgov benefits adviser to find out what support you might get; now or if you start a new job.
Disabled
Employment and Support Allowance is a regular payment you may be able to get if you are not working because you are sick or disabled. If you are able to work, it also provides support to help you get a suitable job and be better off.
Incapacity Benefit has now been replaced by Employment and Support Allowance (see above) and you can no longer start a new claim.
See more information on Incapacity Benefit
Return to Work Credit is a regular payment that you might get for up to a year if you start a job after being out of work because of sickness or a disability.
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is a regular payment you may be able to get if you are sick or disabled because of something that happened in connection with your work.
For accidents..
For diseases or deafness..
Disability Living Allowance is a regular payment you may be able to get if you are under 65 and have difficulty walking or need help caring for yourself. A disabled child may be able to get Disability Living Allowance.
Attendance Allowance is a regular payment you may be able to get if you are 65 or over and need help caring for yourself.
Disabled Students Allowance is a grant that you may be able to get if you are in higher education (degree course of above) and have extra course costs because of your disability.
Independent Living Fund payments are no longer available for new claims.
Severe Disablement Allowance payments are no longer available for new claims.
Self Directed Support: If you need a social care service, you may be able to get payments from the council, buy what you choose, in place of some or all of your usual care services.
Blue Badge: You may be able to get a Blue Badge if you have severe mobility problems, it helps you to park close to where you are going.
Freedom Pass is a free pass that may let you travel free on local buses in off-peak times.
Disabled Facilities Grant is a grant you may be able to get towards the cost of making changes to your home so you can carry on living there.
Access to Work may be able to give you and your employer advice and help with extra costs, such as for specialist equipment, if your health or disability affects the way you work.
Work Choice may be able to help if your disability means you need specialised one-to-one support, more than you can get under Access to Work, to help you find or keep a job.
Support in finding work: If you have been living in Newham for a year or more, you may be able to get help and support through
Workplace, a recruitment organisation that ensures local people benefit from local jobs.
Check this web page for other life situations relevant to you, to see other benefits or tax credits you may be able to get, including those you might get if you are working, see Starting work and In work.
You can also enter your details in to the Directgov benefits adviser to find out what support you might get; now or if you start a new job.
Expecting or adopting a child
Statutory Maternity Pay may be paid regularly by your employer so that you can take time off work before and after your baby is born.
Maternity Allowance is a regular payment you may be able to get if you take time off work but cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay from your employer.
Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay may be paid for up to two weeks by your employer so that you can take time off work after your partner has had a baby or adopted a child.
Statutory Adoption Pay may be paid regularly by your employer so that you can take time off work when you adopt a child.
Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment you might get, to help with the cost of baby things, if you are getting certain benefits or tax credits.
Healthy Start: You may be able to get free milk, fruit, vegetables, infant formula and vitamins if you are getting certain benefits or tax credits and you are pregnant or have any children under four.
Health costs while you are pregnant and for the next 12 months, you can get free dental care and prescriptions.
Check this web page for other life situations relevant to you, to see other benefits or tax credits you may be able to get, including those you might get if you are working, see Starting work and In work.
You can also enter your details in to the Directgov benefits adviser to find out what support you might get; now or if you start a new job.
Bringing up children
Child Benefit is a regular payment that you can normally get if you are bringing up any children:
Widowed Parent’s Allowance is a regular payment you may be able to get on top of Child Benefit if you bringing up any children and your husband, wife or civil partner has died.
Guardian’s Allowance is a regular payment you may be able to get on top of Child Benefit if you are bringing up any children whose parent(s) have died.
In Work Credit is a regular payment you may be able to get for up to one year after you start work if you are bringing up one or more children alone.
Tax Credits are, like benefits, payments from the government. If your income is not above a certain amount and you are:
- bringing up any children, you may be able to get Child Tax Credit
- working, you may be able to get Working Tax Credit
- bringing up any children and working, you may be able to get both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.
Tax Credits are one of the ways that can ensure you are better off if you are working.
16-19 Bursaries: If your son or daughter is aged between 16 and 19 and think they might struggle with the costs for full-time education or training they may be able to get a bursary..
Care to Learn is a scheme that might be able to help with the cost of child care while you are learning if you are aged under 20.
Free School meals may be available for any of your children under 16 if you are on a low income and get certain benefits.
Health costs Children can get free dental care, sight tests and prescriptions, as well as help with the cost of glasses.
Check this web page for other life situations relevant to you, to see other benefits or tax credits you may be able to get, including those you might get if you are working, see Starting work and In work.
You can also enter your details in to the Directgov benefits adviser to find out what support and how much you might get. And the support you may get if you start work or increase your working hours.
Caring for someone
Carers Allowance is a regular payment you may get if you look after someone who is disabled.
The
Carer’s Allowance Unit is a dedicated part of the DWP that can answer any questions you have about this benefit.
Self Directed Support: If you need a social care service, you may be able to get payments from the council, to buy what you choose, in place of some or all of your usual care services.
Support in finding work: If you have been living in Newham for a year or more and want to find work that you can fit round your caring, you may be able to get help and support from
Workplace, a recruitment organisation that ensures local people benefit from local jobs. An adviser can discuss your specific job requirements with you.
Check this web page for other life situations relevant to you, to see other benefits or tax credits you may be able to get, including On a low income and benefits you might get if you are working, see Starting work and In work.
You can also enter your details into the Directgov benefits adviser to find out what support and how much you might get, plus the support you may get if you start work or increase your working hours.
Aged between 16 and 19
You may be able to claim certain benefits or tax credits if you are on a low income, looking for work, sick, disabled, expecting a baby, bringing up children or caring for another adult. Check out benefits and tax credits for all the life situations relevant to you.
You can also call your
local Jobcentre Plus office for guidance in claiming any benefits or tax credits that you may be able to get. An adviser will call you back, within four hours if you are 16 or 17, within 24 hours if you are 18 or 19.
Some important information for under 20s is also below:
Jobseeker's Allowance: If you are 16 or 17, you will only be able to get Jobseeker’s Allowance in exceptional circumstances. For example, you are estranged from your family and in severe hardship. If you think you may have exceptional circumstances, call your
local Jobcentre Plus office.
For more information, see Looking for work
Housing Benefit: You cannot get Housing Benefit if you are living with a parent or other close relative. For most people under 25 and single any Housing Benefit is limited to the cost of a bed-sit or a room in shared accommodation, but there are exceptions to this limit.
For more information on Housing Benefit, see On a low income
Care to Learn is a scheme that might be able to help with the cost of child care while you are learning.
For more information, see Bringing up children.
Benefits for higher education students on a low income: Part time students and some full-time students are sometimes able to get benefits to top up a low income.
Health costs You may be able to get help with certain health costs, such as prescriptions, eye care, dental care and travel costs.
Support in finding work: If you have been living in Newham for a year or more, you may be able to get help and support from
Workplace, a recruitment organisation that ensures local people benefit from local jobs, including
apprenticeships.
16 to 19 Bursaries: If you are aged between 16 and 19 and think you might struggle with the costs for full-time education or training you may be able to get a bursary.
If you are 18 or over and not a student you can also enter your details in to the
Directgov benefits adviser to find out what support and how much you might get, plus the support you may get if you start work or increase your working hours.
Aged 60 or over
State Pension is a regular payment you can get if you have reached state pension age and made enough National Insurance contributions or are treated as though you have made enough because, for example, you were caring for any children.
Pension Credit is a regular payment you may be able to get if you have reached State Pension age and are on a low income.
Over 80 Pension is a regular payment you may be able to get if you are 80 or over and get little or no State Pension. You do not need to have paid National insurance contributions.
War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension is a regular payment you may be able to get if your husband, wife or partner died as a result of war. You do not need to be 60 or over.
Winter Fuel Payment is a yearly winter payment you may get if you are 60 or over.
Cold Weather Payment is a winter payment you may get if you are getting certain income-related benefits (such as Pension Credit) and it is very cold in your area for some time.
You do not need to claim Cold Weather Payment, you should get it automatically if you are eligible.
Freedom Pass is a free pass that you can get if you are 66 years or over, or have an eligible disabiity, to let you travel free on local buses in off-peak times.
Check this web page for other life situations relevant to you, to see other benefits or tax credits you may be able to get, including those you might get if you are able to work, see Starting work and In work.
Recently bereaved
Widowed Parent’s Allowance is a regular payment you may be able to get on top of Child Benefit if you bringing up any children and your husband, wife or civil partner has died.
Guardian’s Allowance is a regular payment you may be able to get on top of Child Benefit if you are bringing up any children whose parent(s) have died.
Bereavement Allowance is regular payment you may be able to get for up to 52 weeks if your husband, wife or civil partner died when you were aged between 45 and the state pension age and you are not bringing up any children.
War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension is a regular payment you may be able to get if your husband, wife or partner died as a result of war.
Bereavement Payment is a payment you may be able to get if your husband, wife or civil partner has died and either you are under state pension age or they were not entitled to a state pension.
Funeral Payment is a payment you may be able to get if you are arranging a funeral and are on a low income.
Check this web page for other life situations relevant to you and to see other benefits or tax credits you may be able to get.
