Much of this help below is at the discretion of your local council so you need to check if it is available in your area?
A lot of it is no longer available due to benefit cuts but we feel you may find it interesting to see what has now gone?
Back to Work Bonus
This is now replaced by a Job Grant, contact the Job Centre.
Blue parking badge
Available to people over 2, who have the high rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, or mobility supplement, or registered blind, or a permanent and substantial disability which causes problems with walking.
Bus pass
Available to all pensioners in Scotland. Also available to you if you have any one of the following, middle or high rate care component of Disability Living Allowance, blind or partially sighted, profoundly deaf, mobility supplement, war pension over 80%, have been denied a driving license due to medical grounds, receiving care due to mental disorder, or able to supply medical evidence of your limited mobility. Contact your local Social Work department to see if they provide this in your area.
Child Maintenance Bonus
This is now replaced by a Job grant, contact the Job Centre.
Council Tax Benefit Extended Payment
Council Tax Benefit Extended Payment can be available for 4 weeks when a person ceases to be entitled to Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income Based) Employment Support Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance because of their employment. Note: Their employment must be expected to last for 5 weeks or more.
Discount leisure pass
Gives reduced entry to all Council owned leisure and sport facilities might be available in your area. Available to you and your children, if you have any one of the following, Income Support, Income Based Jobseekers, Incapacity Benefit, Employment Support Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance, Widow/ers Benefits, Severe Disablement Allowance, full time students, or employment training trainees.
Free car tax
Available to you or your main car if you have the high rate mobility award of Disability Living Allowance. Contact the Disability Unit in Blackpool. 08457 – 123456
Government Energy Assistance Packages
Free loft, pipes, and tank insulation, or free cavity wall insulation, or Central heating & heater controls upgraded, or draught proofing for outside doors and windows. If you or your partner have any one or more of the following, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Income Based Jobseekers, Income Support, Constant Attendance Allowance, mobility supplement, available to you if you own or rent your home, find out more in England, Scotland, Wales
Housing Benefit Extended Payment
Housing Benefit Extended Payment can be available for 4 weeks when a person ceases to be entitled to Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income Based), Employment Support Allowance, Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance because their employment has removed entitlement to benefit. NOTE: Employent must be expected to last for 5 weeks or more.
Housing grants
Available to homeowners and tenants. Some are means tested some are not. Ask at the local Council.
Income Support, Employment Support & Income Based JSA Extended Mortgage Interest Payment
Extended Mortgage Interest Payment can be available for 4 weeks when a person ceases to be entitled to Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income Based), Employment Support Income Related because their employment has removed entitlement to benefit. NOTE: Employent must be expected to last for 5 weeks or more.
Job Grant
Have you or your partner been on any of these (Or a combination) of Income Support, Income Based Jobseekers, Employment Support Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance for over 26 weeks or leaving New Deal to start working for over 16 hours stopping your claim? You could be due a Job Grant between £100 – £250 it should be paid without you needing to do anything. Contat your local Jobcentre.
Job-Centre Adviser Discretionary Fund
Ask about this discretionary payment if you have been on New deal or other benefits for over 26 weeks, It’s available to help you break down barriers to you finding or starting work, up to £100 (More sometimes) for things like travel costs, childcare, interview clothes etc.
Lone parent and Disabled Return to Work & In-Work Credit
£40 per week for one year for people on (or a combination of) Incapacity Benefit, Employment Support Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance, Income Support on grounds of Incapacity for over 13 weeks or Statutory Sick-Pay then one of these others, who start work for over 16 hours and earn under £15,000
Or
£40 per week for one year for Lone Parents who have had Income Support or Income Based Jobseekers for over 52 weeks who start work for over 16 hours. there is a higher £60 per week for some parents in London.
You cannot get both at the same time. Any payments are ignored as income for other benefits, E.g Housing & Council Tax Benefit, Working Tax Credit Etc.
Prescriptions, Dental and Hospital fares
You qualify automatically with Income Support, Income Based Jobseekers Allowance or Employment Support Income Related. Others who could get help include certain Disabled who work, and others with low incomes. Claim on form HC1 available from local Benefits Agency.
Railcard
Train fares reduced by 33% for you and reduced fares for your carer, available to you if you have any one of the following, mobility supplement, war pension over 80%, middle or high rate care of Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance, or are deaf, or registered as visually impaired, or have attacks of epilepsy, contact your local train station.
School clothing grant
Some authorities do not provide this check locally for this.
School meals
You will qualify if you have children at school and you or your partner claim Income Support or Income Based Jobseekers Allowance Pension Credit or Only entitled to Child Tax Credit.
Social Fund payments
Grants and loans available to help with various costs: funeral, birth, emergencies, setting up home, etc.
Taxi Card
Taxi fares reduced if you have the high rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, or registered blind, or have mobility supplement, or over retirement age with restricted mobility, Contact your local Social Work Department locally for this if provided in your area.