Information on welfare benefits

Most people know something about Social Security Benefits; however it is often difficult to know exactly what you are eligible to claim or what effect claiming a Social Security Benefit can have on the family unit.  It is always helpful to seek advice and information about what benefits you are eligible to apply for. Especially since things change so frequently. No matter what your circumstance you should contact Sue Stevenson at Barnardo’s Advice and Information Bureau, your local Social Security Agency or the Citizens Advice Bureau to have a Benefits Check carried out so that you are well informed of your entitlement.

Young Parents and Benefits

• If you are a lone parent and make a claim for Income Support (IS), you are also applying for Child Support Maintenance.  Your benefit may be reduced if you do not give the Child Support Agency information about the non-resident parent.  To ‘opt out’ of disclosing the details of the non-resident parent you have to show ‘good cause’ such as, the belief that you would be at risk or harm or disclosing the details would cause undue distress to yourself or your family.  
• When applying for Child Benefit always send the original birth certificate as a copy will not be accepted. Every parent or acting parent is entitled to claim Child Benefit you can get a claim form from your local Social Security Office.  
• Prescriptions and Dental.  You may also continue to receive help with NHS costs if you are in receipt of benefits or have a low income.  Treatments are free while you are pregnant and for 12 months after the birth of your baby
• You may be able to receive help for the cost of travel to and from hospital for NHS treatment if you are in receipt of income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance or pension credit (guarantee credit). Your partner and dependants will also be entitled to help. If you are in receipt of Working Tax Credit and or Child Tax Credit (or named on a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate) you may be entitled to help with the cost of travelling to and from hospital, depending on your income.
• If you are in receipt of benefits you will also be eligible for Milk Tokens or Free Vitamins. Those on low incomes may be eligible for a reduction in price.

What type of benefit can you claim?

The Social Security Agency produces a free booklet which provides information for young people applying for welfare benefits. You can get a copy at your local Social Security office. You should note that the general age for applying for benefits is 18 years although in exceptional circumstances if you are aged 16 or 17 years and you are a lone parent or you have a disability you can make a claim.

How do you claim benefit?

In order to claim benefits you will have to fill out a form for each benefit you want to apply for. These forms can be quite long and complicated to fill out. It is important you fill them in properly. If you don’t, you may loose money or you may have to wait for a longer time to get your money. Each Social Security Office has a member of staff who is a lone parent adviser who will be able to help you fill in forms however you can also contact Sue Stevenson Barnardo’s Advice and Information Bureau or the Citizens Advice Bureau who will also provide you with assistance.

Summary of Benefits:

When pregnant:

• Income support
• Jobseekers Allowance
• Housing benefit
• Maternity Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Statutory Sick Pay.
• Maternity Grant (Sure Start Maternity Grant)
• Working Tax Credit (WTC)
• Milk Tokens or free vitamins
• Social Fund – e.g. Budgeting Loan, Community Care Grant, Crisis Loan.
• Fares to hospital
• Free dental treatment and prescriptions.
• Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)  

Lone Parents:

• Income Support
• Tax Credits – Child Tax Credit (CTC), Working Tax Credit (WTC).
• Child Benefit (CB)
• Housing Benefit
• Child Maintenance
• New Deal (to help you to find work, e.g. childcare costs and course fees).
• Social Fund - e.g. . . . Budgeting Loan, Community Care Grant, Crisis Loan.
• Free dental treatment and prescriptions.
• Cold weather payments (if in receipt of Income Support and have a child under 5).
• Milk Tokens or free vitamins
• EMA
• Care to Learn (NI)

New Deal for Lone Parents

The New Deal for Lone Parents was introduced to encourage Lone Parents to move from benefits into employment.  To be eligible for the New Deal you must be aged 16 or over and have a dependent child under 16.  You must also be in receipt of Income Support or other benefits, not be working or working less than 16 hours per week.

The New Deal can provide –

• Pre-employment training lasting up to 13 weeks.  The training is occupationally focused and aims to enhance your vocational skills.
• NVQ Courses lasting up to 52 weeks.
• Self-employment training, including access to business start up awareness and test-training lasting up to 26 weeks.
• Core Gateway – Lone Parents may attend for 10 days or participate in individual modules, such as, Essential Skills assessment and C.V. preparation.  

Financial assistance for childcare costs and travel are provided when you participate in any of the above incentives.  A Training Premium of £15 per week is also available to Lone Parents who are on New Deal and who are in receipt of Income Support or other benefits.

Contact details

You can check your benefit entitlement with advice agencies such as:

Sue Stevenson
Barnardos Advice and Information Bureau
1st Floor, Somerset House
234 Ormeau Road
Belfast BT7 2FZ)
Phone: 028 90640455

The Citizen’s Advice Bureaux
Regional Headquarters,
11 Upper Crescent, Belfast
Phone: 028 9023 1120

Also you can make an appointment with your local Social Security office which will have its contact details listed in the telephone directory.