Chapter 3 - State Benefits Flashcards
A contributory benefit is?
Only paid to individuals with sufficient National Insurance contributions (NICs)
A means tested benefit is?
Only paid to individuals with income or capital below a certain level
A taxable benefit is?
Paid subject to income tax
Why should financial advisers have a base knowledge of state benefits?
It will allow them to identify any gaps in protection cover and what levels to recommend at
What is the bereavement payment?
A tax free lump sum of £2,000 for a spouse on the death of the other. Deceased needed sufficient NICs. Must be under SPA
What is the bereavement allowance?
A taxable weekly benefit for 52 weeks for a spouse on the death of the other. Need to be aged 45 or older and deceased needed sufficient NICs
What is the widowed parents allowance?
A taxable weekly benefit for 52 weeks for a spouse on the death of the other. Recipient must have a child who they are claiming child benefit for or expecting to the deceased. Ceases on re-marriage or cohabiting with new partner
What is income support?
A means tested, tax free benefit payable to individuals who are; between 16 – SPA who; not in full time education have low income working less than 16 hours a week are not receiving jobseekers or ESA
Income related benefits are means tested and not normally available to individuals who;
have capital over £16,000 and are reduced by £1 for every £250 of savings over £6,000
What is jobseekers allowance?
Its the main benefit for those out of work. Not eligible to students or under 16s over SPAs. Must be actively seeking work.
Contribution based JSA – Contributory, not means tested but max 6 months claim.
Income based JSA – move onto this if still unemployed after 6 months or do not have sufficient NICs. Means tested.
Both types of JSA are taxable
What is Statutory Sick Pay?
A contributory benefit if unable to work through sickness for at least 4 days. Not means tested. Paid by employer. Taxed as earned income. Paid for 28 weeks after that move to ESA
What is Employment and Support Allowance?
It replaced incapacity benefit and is for people who are unable to work through illness or disability with the aim of helping them back to work.
What are the two types of ESA and how do they work?
Contribution based ESA – not means tested, contributory and taxable
Income based ESA – non contributory, means tested and not taxable
What are the different phases of ESA?
The assessment phase and the main phase
What are the 2 groups within the main phase of ESA?
Support group and work related activity group
What is the difference between the support group and work related activity group?
The support group are unable to work. The work related activity group receive support and help to return to work, required to engage in mandatory work based interviews and can lose benefit if refuse.