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Money, tax and benefits
Benefits and help when going back to work
If you return to work after being on benefit, some of your benefits will stop automatically straight away. Some will carry on for a short while after you start work and you may be able to get other benefits once you're working.
Help with housing costs
If you were getting help with your housing costs while you were out of work, you may carry on getting this for up to four weeks after you start your new job. You'll need to have claimed income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Income Support for at least 26 weeks continuously just before you started work.
The benefits include:
- Extended Payment of Housing Benefit
- Extended Payment of Council Tax Benefit
- Mortgage Interest Run On
Entitlement to housing costs is protected for 12 weeks and may be increased to 52 weeks depending on your circumstances. You can find out more by contacting your local Jobcentre Plus office.
In Work Credit
In Work Credit is a fixed tax-free payment of £40 per week (£60 per week in London) for parents bringing up children alone.
You may get In Work Credit if you are:
- bringing up children on your own
- starting work of at least 16 hours a week
- expect that work to last five weeks or more
You must also have been getting Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance or a combination of these benefits for at least 52 weeks or more without a break.
It is payable for up to 52 weeks on top of your earnings. You need to claim it before you start work.
Job Grant
A Job Grant is a tax-free lump sum. You may be eligible for a Job Grant if you have been claiming one of the following benefits:
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit
- Income Support
- Jobseeker's Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
You will need to have been claiming benefit continuously for more than six months and starting work of more than 16 hours per week.
You'll automatically get Job Grant if you're eligible. You just need to make sure you tell your Jobcentre Plus Office that you're starting work. You'll be paid in the same way as you were paid your benefit.
Return to Work Credit
Return to Work Credit is a fixed tax-free payment of £40 per week for people that have, or have had, a health condition or disability. You need to have been in receipt of a relevant benefit before starting work of at least 16 hours per week.
Your expected salary or income if you are self employed, before deductions must be £15,000 or less a year. You need to claim within five weeks of starting work.
To find out more about Return to Work Credit follow the link below to Pathways to Work.
Shortened claim process for Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance
If your Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance claim ended less than 26 weeks ago and there has been no change to your circumstances your claim to benefits may be simpler and shorter.
To make a claim for Jobseekers Allowance or Income Support call 0800 055 66 88.
There is a Welsh language line on 0800 012 1888, and a textphone 0800 023 4888 if you have a speech or hearing impairment.
Lines are open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.
The following are not considered as a change of circumstances:
- you or someone you are claiming for is now pregnant
- tax credits have been claimed or awarded
Tax credits
A tax credit is a payment that you receive regularly. Despite the name, it isn't a credit against your tax bill. Nine out of ten families with children are eligible for Child Tax Credit.
If you're working more than 16 hours a week and you're on a low income, you may be able to get Working Tax Credit too.
Tax credits may also be able to help with the costs of your childcare if you work for at least 16 hours per week or worked more then 16 hours per week before going on adoption, maternity, paternity or sick leave.
Training Premium
Jobcentre plus can help you by providing free full-time education and training for up to a year (up to £750 towards training a young person aged between 18 and 24).
You must have been in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for at least six months and located in an area covered by this scheme. A training allowance based on your JSA payments plus a top-up payment may be payable during the training.
For more information please contact Jobcentre Plus.
Travel-to-interview scheme
In certain circumstances Jobcentre Plus may be able to help you pay to get to your job interview. This is called the travel-to-interview scheme.
