Money & Benefits

Only a (lucky) few of us can manage without money. In whatever form we receive it - wage, social security, allowance, grant or pocket money - there never seems to be enough of it. But there are some ways of making the most of what we've got. This section may help -and don't forget the extra discounts available with the Euro 26 card.

Budgeting/managing money

It is worth budgeting well to enable you to get the most out of your money. Add up the money you receive each week or month and work out the amount you have to set aside for rent, food and bills. The rest is yours to choose what you buy. Saving even a small amount each week is important if you want holidays or other more expensive items.

Shopping

When you go shopping, look out for good value and special offers, and remember that you have rights as a shopper.

Accounts

Choosing an Account

It is useful to have an account before you start work/training/higher education or if you receive benefits payments. Try to decide what you want from your account in advance, eg. cheque book, credit card, no bank charges, longer opening hours, easy access to your money, telephone or internet banking. Look around and ask your own questions with the customer services section of a bank, building society or the Post Office. Check that there are no age limits. Look for any special offers or bonuses that you can get, eg. "Young Saver's Account " - but beware of any restrictions or hidden rules.

Opening an Account

When you have decided which account and system suits your needs, contact the branch you wish to use. Ask further questions if you have any, then complete the application form and make your first payment. Remember that you will be asked for proof of identity and that, if you are under 18, the branch may require your parent/ guardian to be with you.

Using an Account

When writing a cheque:

• Use a pen/biro and write clearly
• Do not leave gaps between words/numbers
• If you make any alterations, initial them
• Fill in the stubs for your own record (it helps with budgeting)
• Check your statement carefully - look out for charges and mistakes. Ask the branch if you have queries.

Loans/Borrowing money

Generally, you will not be offered credit arrangements under the age of 18. If you are, you may find that the lender will request the names and addresses of one or two guarantors before you sign. Guarantors are people who agree to take on your payments if you are unable to continue paying. It is important that you and the guarantors read the agreement, small print, interest & repayment rates carefully.

Before accepting credit consider:

• Have you budgeted and can you afford the payments? Do you need it?
• Do not sign if you are unsure or do not understand. If you sign on trade premises you have no right to cancel once the document is signed by the Credit Company. If you sign at home you have approximately 5 days to cancel.
• ALWAYS SHOP AROUND FOR CREDIT and work out how much you will pay altogether. Keep a copy of the agreement safe and be sure of how many payments you have to make.

Mortgages 

Mortgages are special loans which can assist you to buy a house or flat.

If you consider buying a house or flat, take advice from CAB (see 'you and your rights' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page) , your local Housing Aid/Advice Centre (see 'housing' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page) and the bank or building society. You are likely to need the services of a solicitor.

Ask about special schemes for FIRST-TIME BUYERS and for COUNCIL TENANTS wanting to buy their own homes.

(See also buying your own home)

Credit Unions

A Credit Union is a community based voluntary organisation which helps people to save and borrow money. Obtain further information from your local Credit Union Worker, local CAB (see 'you and your rights' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page) or from:

Insurance

Insurance is generally divided into 2 main categories:

• Life Insurance You pay a fixed sum of money every week or month over a number of years. It provides protection for your family should you die. But if you cash in your policy in the first few years (usually the first two) you are likely to lose money.
• General Insurance Means insuring your property against loss or damage ie. car, camera, motor bike etc. or if you rent or own your own home you may need a house contents and/or building policy.

You can get leaflets and information on all types of insurance. Use a reputable company. Contact:

- see also Housing insurance

Paying Bills

Be prepared, avoid being caught out.

• Open a budget account at your bank.
• Never send cash in the post, send a postal order or cheque.
• Keep your receipt of payment.
• If you think you might have difficulty paying a fuel bill e.g. electricity, gas or telephone, contact the company concerned immediately (the number will be in the phone book) and ask for advice. Failure to do this before the payment is due could result in you being cut off.

see also Housing & Bills

Debts

If you find you can't keep up payments for something you bought on credit, you run the risk of having the goods taken back by the seller or your guarantors may have to pay. Go to the seller or the bank straight away and explain your difficulties. You may be able to rearrange the terms, ie. pay smaller amounts, over a longer period of time.

The local CAB may be able to help. You could also get advice from a lawyer, or you can approach:

Wages/Salaries

Your employer will normally pay you weekly or monthly in accordance with the agreements for your particular job. For many people this is the main source of income.

(See also page Employment & Rights at work)

Training Allowance

(See Wages and allowances)

Studying and Money

Student Loans for Tuition Fees

There are two types of government funded loans that are designed to help you meet your living costs and tution fees

Student Loans for Maintenance

The main points to note are:

The amount you get for maintenance depends on factors such as your age, your parents' income or your family's income if you are married

All eligible students are entitled to 75% of the maximum maintenance loan figure

The other 25% of the student loan is means tested

You can get a separate loan for the total amount of your tution fees, for example is up to £3,145

You should apply for financial support as early as possible, to avoid any delay in receiving your loan

Approximately a quarter of this will be means tested. The remaining 3 quarters will be automatically available to the student, providing they are personally eligible. There will be different rates depending on where the student is studying/living.

Tuition fees will need to be paid and will be means tested to see how much of the tuition fee can be paid for the student by the Student Loans Company and how much the student/parents will be responsible for.

New students will need to make an application through their Local Authority's Student Support Service (see 'education' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page) to apply for the Student Loan and the payment of tuition fees.

The government also provides universities and colleges with money to help students and potential students who are in financial difficulties. You can get help from;

• A bursary from the Access Funds -This is available if you are thinking about going into higher education but may need extra financial help to complete your course. It does not usually have to be repaid.
• Hardship funds are available if you run into financial difficulty during your course. Again, these do not usually have to be repaid.
• A Hardship Loan. This is repaid only after you have finished or left your course.

Apply to your university or college for this help.
For further information contact:

Funding for FE Courses

• If you are under 19 and in full time education, which will take you up to A' level or GNVQ level 3, then your family can carry on claiming any child benefits or child dependency additions that they are already eligible for. Your local Benefits Agency can confirm this for you.
• If you are under 19 at the start of the school or college year, fees will not be charged if you are doing a full-time further education course or an evening class (as long as you are not at a private school or college).
• If you are on benefits yourself, you may be able to keep claiming while you study but you will need to check this with your local Benefits Agency Office (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page)
• Access Funds are available to help students who are, or whose families are, on low income or in particular financial difficulties. Access funds can contribute towards any of the costs associated with your studies, including transport and child care. Access funds are available from Further Education Colleges for their own students (contact your College Access Unit - see 'education' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page) and from Local Authorities (LA) for young people staying on in sixth form in school (ask at school or contact Student Support Service (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page)
• Local Authority Awards are operated by some LA's to provide financial help to young people over 16 in schools and in further education, contact your Student Support Service (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page)
• Some schools and colleges run hardship funds or have sponsorships and bursaries to offer any of their students who are facing extreme financial difficulties. Contact your school or college to see if such funds are available.
• If you are working or on a Training Programme and go to college part-time, your employer or your Training Provider (See also allowances) may pay for the course.
• Education Maintenance Allowance
• If you live alone and have fallen out with your parents, or you do not have any parents, you may be able to get Income Support for some courses (See also benefits for young people). Check this with the Benefits Agency (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page), Welfare Rights Agency or CAB (see 'you and your rights' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page).
• Students over 18 can apply for a Career Development Loan. This is the same as a ordinary bank loan only you won't have to pay it back until you have finished your training. You can apply for one if your course counts as vocational training or education and lasts for two years, or possibly three, if that includes one year practical experience. You can get an information pack about these loans from your Job Centre Plus (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page) or by calling free on 0800 585 505.
• If you have special needs, contact Skill, the National Bureau for Students with Disabilities on 0800 328 5050 or www.skill.org.uk for information on funds for studying. Mon - Thurs 1:30 - 4:30pm
• If you can't get funding elsewhere, it's sometimes possible to get help from education trusts and charities. Look at a copy of the Education Grants Directory, Charities Digest, Grants Register and the Directory of Grant Making Trusts - usually available at the library, school, college, careers service or Connexions Centre or use Funderfinder (See also Prince's Trust)

Income Tax

As a general rule you will have to pay income tax to the Inland Revenue (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page), if your income exceeds the tax allowance appropriate to you in any tax year. A tax year runs from 6th April to 5th April.

In 2004/5 the Personal Tax Allowance for an individual under the age of 65 is £4745.00. When you are in employment the allowance is divided into 52 weeks. You will normally, therefore, be able to earn £91.25 each week before your employer deducts tax. You cannot have a personal tax allowance of more than £91.25 per week even if you have 2 or more jobs.

The Inland Revenue will issue a code number to you that will indicate the amount of allowances to which you are entitled. Your employer will use this code to calculate the amount of Income tax due which they will deduct from your earnings each week. This system is called PAYE (Pay As You Earn).

If you change jobs or come off benefits, it is very important that you obtain a P45 and give this to your new employer. This P45 shows your earnings and tax paid up to the date that you left the last job or came off benefits and your new employer will need these details to ensure that the correct amount of tax is deducted from your pay from the start of the new job. You may even be entitled to a repayment and again your new employer needs a P45 to deal with this.

At the end of a Tax Year your new employer will give you a form P60 which is a statement of your earnings and tax paid in that year. If you think that you are not paying the right amount of tax please contact your Tax Office.

Students are liable for tax, just like everyone else, if their income exceeds the Personal Allowance. If however, you are a full-time student and you work only in vacation/holiday time and your yearly income does not exceed the Personal Allowance, then you can complete a form P38S that allows you to receive your wage without deduction of tax. This concession does not apply if you work at weekends or any other time outside of vacation/holiday periods. This concession also does not apply to National Insurance Contributions.

Keep your payslips for at least 2 years and keep up any other tax records such as P45 and P60 for at least 7 years. You may need these if you contact the tax office for a repayment or if you think you're not paying the right amount of tax. They could also be useful for other things such as a mortgage application. Useful leaflets to read include:

National Insurance

National Insurance is paid by most working people over 16 years of age. The rate for 2007/8 for lower rate starts from £87 and is payable on earnings over £97 per week.. You should receive your National Insurance card, with your personal number, about 3 months before or 3 months after your 16th Birthday. If you haven't received your card within this time, contact:

If you are under 16 and an employer asks you for a National Insurance number eg. for a Saturday job, you can give them a temporary National Insurance number as follows. Start with the letters TN followed by your date of birth and ending in either F (for female) or M (for male) eg. TN 28 05 86 F or TN 28 05 86 M.

Alternatives - Managing without money

• Although money is very important to the vast majority of people for the purchase of goods, food and clothes, it is possible to receive some items without spending any money:
• Grow your own vegetables - even in small spaces it is possible to grow quite a lot.
• Make new clothes or household items from old or unused materials.
• Exchange some of your goods with other people.
• Barter - that is, agreeing to do something for someone else in return for some goods (not cash).
• Join a Local Exchange Trading System (LETS) where you can exchange your skills and services with other people. There is a special unit of exchange which you use to pay people who do something for you. (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page)

Bursaries, Sponsorship,Trusts and Charities

These are available to some students - ask at your College or University, or the Careers Service. You may also find it useful to look through Funderfinder (People in Need) - a database which is usually available to use where there is a Training Access Point.

Funderfinder is a quick and easy way of finding out which charitable trusts might help individuals in need.

European Grants

European grants are potentially available for a wide range of activities in other European countries, such as training placements (the Leonardo programme), studying (the SOCRATES-ERASMUS programme), voluntary work placements (European Voluntary Service) and exchanges (Youth Programme). European funding is complex and can be subject to change, so do not assume that you won't be eligible for it. Sometimes, European grants will only pay part of the costs of any project and so you may need to be able to show where the rest of the money is coming from.

(See also 'go and see' grants and working abroad)

Prince's Trust

(See leisure and 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page)

Miscellaneous

See also debts

Benefits for Young People aged 16-18

You might be entitled to different benefits depending on your age, personal circumstances and why you need help.

This section is a guide to what you might get. We recommend asking for help at an advice centre or college welfare office (see 'education' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page) as they can guide you through the benefits system.

Not all young people have a right to benefits. But many young people need help with money at some time, so don't be put off from applying! These are the basics:

• If you are under 16, you cannot claim most benefits in your own right but your parent/guardian may be able to claim for you as their 'dependant'.
• 16/17 year olds can only claim in limited circumstances (see below for details).
• Most people aged 18 and over can claim in the same way as any other adults but there are restrictions if you are still in full time education.

16/17 year old care leavers exclusion from Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance and Housing Benefit. (see also housing)

Most 16/17 year old care leavers cannot claim Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Housing Benefit, Social Fund payments or free prescriptions. You cannot claim if.

• you have been in local authority care for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14 and
• you were still in local authority care at the age of 16 or 17.

Instead, your social worker or personal adviser must provide a Pathway Plan, including financial support, so ask what has been arranged for you.

Exceptions: Sick, disabled, blind and lone parent care leavers and those who have been on a family placement for at least 6 months will still be able to claim Income Support and Jobseekers Allowance but not Housing Benefit. If you are too ill to work, disabled or a single parent, ask your social worker or personal advisor for more information.

Making a claim for benefits

You should never be turned away from a Social Security Office or Jobcentre just because you are young (unless you are under 16 or a 16/17 year old care leaver - see above). However, many 16/17 year olds need to register with the Careers or Connexions Services before claiming benefit. If the Social Security Office or Jobcentre turn you away without an interview just because you are young, ask for help from an advice centre immediately.

When you claim any type of benefit, you need to give your name, address (if you have one), national insurance number and some form of ID (e.g. birth certificate, driving licence, passport, etc). Always answer every question on the claim form, even if the answer is 'no' or 'not applicable'. Depending on which benefit you are claiming, you will also be asked to provide other documents (e.g. your rent book for Housing Benefit) and usually you will need to give the originals, not a photocopy. Always ask what is needed and how quickly to return the claim form and other documents. If you have a problem with any of these requirements, explain why.

A basic weekly income (aged 16 and over)

Income Support and Jobseekers Allowance

These are the most important benefits for young people. They give a basic weekly income for your essential costs - food, clothes, heating, etc (see 'Housing Benefit' for help with your rent). The amount of money you get depends on any savings and regular, weekly income that you have. You must be at least 16 years old to claim Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance. You and your partner (if any) must not be in full time work. Full time work for you (if you are the person who claims Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance) is 16 or more hours per week; full time work for your partner is 24 or more hours per week.

Note: "partner" means someone of the opposite sex to you who will live with you as if you were married.

You cannot claim both Jobseekers Allowance and Income Support at the same time. Which one you might get depends on your circumstances, so check the headings below to see what you could be entitled to claim.

a) Pregnant, lone parent, too ill/disabled to work, blind, caring for someone who is disabled, in custody before a trial/sentence, attending court as a juror/witness/ 'party to the proceedings', some people on government training courses (aged 16 and over)

You may be entitled to Income Support if you fit into one of these groups. If you are a full time student, you will not qualify unless you fit into one of the groups in sections b) and c) below.

For Income Support, you do not have to be available for work and you do not have to register with the Careers or Connexions Services or 'sign on' at the Jobcentre. Contact your nearest Social Security office (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page) and ask for an Income Support claim form. You should also be given claim forms for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit (see below). If in doubt, get advice.

Note: a pregnant woman is only entitled to Income Support if either:

• she is too ill to work or
• the baby is due within 11 weeks

b) A student on a full time (more than 12 hours per week) course up to and including A-level/NVQ level 3/OND standard (16 -18 year olds)

You may be entitled to Income Support if you are at least 16 and under 19. You are generally treated as still being a student until the end of the holiday after the term when you left school/college. You do not have an automatic right to benefit but if you fit into one of the following groups, you may be entitled:

• severely disabled and unlikely to get a job in the next year
• you have children
• orphan with no one acting as your parent
• refugee learning English
• have to live away from your parent/s or anyone acting as your parent/s because:
• you are 'estranged' from them
• you are in danger
• there is a serious risk to your physical or mental health
• you live away from your parent/s who cannot support you because they are:
  
  i) in prison
  ii) unable to enter the country because of the immigration rules
  iii) chronically sick or disabled

If you do not fit into any of those categories and you are still living with your parent/s, they can claim Child Benefit for you until you either reach 19 or stop being a full time student. They might also be entitled to other benefits, so get advice about what they are entitled to claim.

c) A student on a full time course above A-level/NVQ level 3/OND standard or who is studying for 16 or more 'guided learning hours' per week on a course funded by the Learning & Skills Council (16 and over)

You may be entitled to Income Support. Your college can tell you whether your course fits with these definitions and is full time. Most full time students cannot claim but if you are in one of the following groups, you might be entitled:

• lone parent
• disabled or long term sick
• refugee learning English
• one of a couple who are both full time students and you have child/ren (entitled during the summer vacation only, maybe Jobseekers Allowance)

Ask your college welfare office to check your entitlement and help you claim.

d) A part time student (16 and over)

You may be entitled to Income Support if you are at least 16, not on a full time course, not in full time work and you are pregnant, a lone parent, sick/disabled, blind, caring for someone who is disabled, in custody or one of the other situations in section (a).

Otherwise you may be entitled to Jobseekers Allowance as an unemployed person while studying part time. Ask an advice centre or college welfare office to help you work out if your course is 'part time'. You must be at least 16 but not all under 18's can qualify -see section (e).

If you claim Jobseekers Allowance, the Jobcentre will expect you to look for a job at the same time as studying. Make an appointment with the Careers or Connexions Services (see 'education' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page) and claim at the Jobcentre but try to get advice before going to the interview.

e) Unemployed (aged 16 and over)

If you and your partner (if any) are not in full time work - see section (a), or you are not a full time student, you may be entitled to Jobseekers Allowance.

If you are aged 18 or over you can claim at the Jobcentre (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page). They will interview you about the kind of work you are looking for and you must satisfy them that you are genuinely available for work and looking for a job. You must sign a Jobseekers Agreement which includes the type of work you are seeking and the things you are going to do to find a job. You will have to 'sign on' fortnightly at the Jobcentre.

If you are aged 18-24 and you have been unemployed for 6 months you will probably be required to take part in the New Deal for Young People. The Jobcentre will call you in for an interview and explain your options.

If you are in a (heterosexual) couple and at least one of you is born after 28th October 1957 and is over 18 and neither is responsible for a child both of you have to claim Jobseekers Allowance and 'sign on' every fortnight. If one of you could claim Income Support instead, or if the Jobcentre decides one of you does not qualify for either Jobseekers Allowance or Income Support, ask an advice centre for help.

If you are aged 16-17 you are not automatically entitled. However, there are circumstances (listed below) when you can get Jobseekers Allowance, but usually only for a limited period of time. This section gives you guidance but we recommend asking for help at an advice centre for more details:

• one of a couple with children
• married (in certain circumstances)
• have to live away from parents after leaving care
• if you are single or a lone parent and you fit into one of the following circumstances
• orphan with no one acting as your parent
• have to live away from your parent/s or anyone acting as your parent/s because:
  
  i) you are 'estranged' from them
  ii) you are in danger
  iii) there is a serious risk to your physical or mental health

• you live away from your parent/s who cannot support you because they are:
  
  i) in prison
  ii) unable to enter the country because of the immigration rules
  iii) chronically sick or disabled
  
• you live away from your parent/s or anyone acting as your parent/s and where you live now has been arranged:
  
  i) as part of a probation service or local authority resettlement programme
  ii) to avoid physical or sexual abuse
  iii) to meet special needs as a result of illness or disability
  iv) live away from parents & left care before 16 to live with someone who is not a close relative
• v) you have been laid off or on short time work

Make an appointment with the Connexions Centre (see 'education' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page). You must be willing to take a place on a suitable training course or a job. The Connexions Centre will give you a form to take to the Jobcentre and then you can claim in the same way as people aged 18 or over (see above).

f) What if you do not fit into any of these circumstances (aged 16 and over)

Don't panic! The Jobcentre or Benefits Agency has the power to pay you Jobseekers Allowance if you are at risk of severe hardship. You do not have an automatic right to a severe hardship payment but the officer who interviews you may decide to award you benefit, usually for a limited period of time.

Make an appointment with the Connexions Centre (see 'education' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page). You must be willing to take a place on a suitable training course or a job. The Connexions Centre will give you a form to take to the Jobcentre for another interview.

Explain why you would be at risk of severe hardship if you do not receive benefit and explain why your parent/s are not supporting you. If it would be damaging to you for the Jobcentre to contact your parents, explain why.

You can take someone with you if you want - eg youth worker, teacher, social worker, probation officer, relative or friend. You should be given a decision on the same day. If you are refused benefit, go to an advice centre for help immediately.

Paying the rent and Council Tax (aged 16 and over)

Housing Benefit (see also Council Tax )

Whether or not you are in full time work, you may be entitled to Housing Benefit to help pay the rent. The rules for full time students are more complicated and only some students can get Housing Benefit - ask for help from an advice centre/college welfare office.

You claim Housing Benefit from the local Council (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page) on a different form from your Income Support/Jobseekers Allowance.

Note: you do not have to be on these benefits to claim Housing Benefit.

You will have to provide original copies of certain documents along with the claim form so ask in advance what is needed and where to take the form and documents. If you rent a house or flat from a private landlord, the Housing Benefit you get may not cover all of the rent charged. This is a particular problem if you have more space than a bedsit or a room in a shared house and you are single, under 25 and have no children

Council Tax Benefit

A person cannot be eligible for Council Tax until they are aged 18. If you are 18 or over and living in your own accommodation, you will be sent a Council Tax bill. You can cut the cost of that bill by claiming Council Tax Benefit. There are no special rules for young people and you claim from the Council in the same way as Housing Benefit. If you live alone, you can get a 25% discount on the bill, even if you cannot claim benefit. Ask your Council for details.

Help with the costs of disability (ask for details about age rules)

If you are long term sick or disabled you may be entitled to benefits to help with your personal care needs and/or your mobility problems. Disability Living Allowance and Incapacity Benefit are the most important ones for young people. Contact an advice centre or the

Caring for someone who is disabled (aged 16 and over)

You may be able to claim Carers Allowance. Contact an advice centre or the Benefits Enquiry Line for People with Disabilities (above)

In full time work (aged 16 and over)

As well as Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, you could be entitled to benefits to top up your wages. Child Tax Credit is for people who are in or out of work and who have children under the age of 16, or under 19 (if in full-time non-advanced education). Working Tax Credit (if aged 25 and under) is for individuals or families on low income who work 16 hours or more a week and a) have children or b) have a disability. Contact an advice centre or

Pregnant (aged 16 and over)

(See also pregnancy)

If you are in work, you may be entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay from your employer. If you have been in work but are no longer employed, you may be entitled to Maternity Allowance - contact an advice centre or the Social Security Office (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page). It is also worth checking your entitlement to Income Support Whether you work or not, you may be entitled to a Sure Start Maternity Grant from the Social Fund - see One Off Grants and Loans.

Bringing up children (any age)

You are entitled to Child Benefit - get a form from the Post Office or the Social Security Office (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page).

You may be entitled to Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit - see above.

Health Costs (prescriptions, dentists, vitamins etc)

If you get Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance or if you are under 19 and a full time student (or have certain health problems, get advice), you will automatically be entitled to free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests/glasses and other help (including free milk and vitamins for pregnant women and new mothers). You can also apply for partial help with many NHS costs on the grounds of low income. Ask for a form at your doctor's surgery, local Social Security Office or advice centre. (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page)

One off grants and loans (aged 16 and over)

The Social Fund

The Social Security Office (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page) can make one off payments to help with certain expenses. There are two types of payment: 'regulated' and 'discretionary'. You must apply on the right form for each type of payment - available from the Social Security Office (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page) or an advice centre.

'Regulated' Social Fund

There are three types of payment - Sure Start Maternity Grants, Funeral Grants and Cold Weather Grants. You only need to apply for the first two, the other is paid automatically by the Social Security Office if you are entitled.

Sure Start Maternity Grants

These are to help with the costs of a new baby. You or a member of your family must get Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance. Some people who get Working Families Tax Credit or Disabled Person's Tax Credit may be able to apply. There are also other rules - check with the Social Security Office (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page) or an advice centre.

Funeral Grants

These are to help with the costs of arranging a funeral. You must get Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Working Families Tax Credit, Disabled Person's Tax Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit to be entitled. There are also other rules - check with the Social Security Office (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page) or an advice centre.

Discretionary' Social Fund

There are three types of payment - Community Care Grants, Budgeting Loans and Crisis Loans. You do not have an automatic right to receive a payment

Community Care Grants

These are to help people pay for essential items or services that make it possible for them to live independently in the community rather than go into a care home, hospital or somewhere similar. They are grants so you do not have to repay them. You must already get Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance and apply to the Social Security Office, (see 'money' local addresses drop down menu at the top of this page)

Budgeting Loans

These are loans which must be repaid from your benefit and you must have been on Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance for at least 26 weeks to apply. Budgeting Loans can help with furniture and household equipment, clothing and footwear, rent in advance, home improvement/security, travelling costs and jobseeking costs.

Note: always consider applying for a Community Care Grant rather than a Budgeting Loan - get advice.

Crisis Loans

These are loans which must be repaid but you do not have to be on any benefit to apply. Crisis loans are to meet essential, short term expenses caused by a disaster or emergency and there is no other way to prevent serious risk to your health and safety.

If you feel that a wrong decision has been made or that you have been refused benefits you can normally appeal. Get advice! (see local addresses)

Child Support and Maintenance (any age)

If you have separated from the parent of any children who you are caring for, you can apply to the Child Support Agency for child support/maintenance payments from that person to help with the costs of bringing up the children.

If you are claiming Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance, the Social Security Office generally requires you to apply for child support.

Note: if you feel that you or your family would be in danger or suffer distress as a result of applying for child support payments, explain why and ask the Department for Work and Pensions not to seek child support. Try to get advice before you go to the Department for Work and Pensions.

Going abroad or coming into the UK from abroad (any age)

The rules can be complicated. It is essential to let the Benefits Agency know where and when you are going abroad before you leave and to claim again as soon as possible after returning. Ask for help from an advice centre about what you need to do and what you may be entitled to claim.