DWP Benefits

Question 1

What are the DWP benefits available?
(8)

Answer 1

-Child benefit
-Support for mortgage interest SMI
-Attendance allowance
-Personal independence payment
-Carers allowance
-Employment and support allowance ESA
-stat sick pay
-single tier state pension

Question 2

Describe child benefit (5)

Answer 2

-means tested on income
-charge over £50k joint
-not taxable
-paid monthly
-benefit for first child then second et

Question 3

Features of SMI (5)

Answer 3

-Pays interest element of mortgage
-Eligibility from day start getting pension credit OR 9 months after getting JSA/ESA, universal credit
-A loan paid by government to lender
-repayable when sell or transfer property
-interest added to loan

Question 4

What is universal credit? (3)

Answer 4

-Payment to help with living costs for low earners
-Paid monthly
-Replaced old benefits such as jsa

Question 5

Features of attendance allowance (8)

Answer 5

-Help with extra costs if have a disability so severe you need someone to help look after you
-if pay for own care you can claim
-Pays for care for those at SPA or physically/mentally disabled
-Not means tested against income or savings
-2 rates (lower rate for night//higher rate day and night or <6 months to live)
-Paid weekly
-Tax free
-Can use for anything (taxis, bills, cleaner etc)

Question 6

Features of personal independance allowance (5)

Answer 6

-For long term mentally/physical disabilities or those who find daily tasks hard
-2 elements (part 1 daily living-help with everyday tasks//part 2-mobility part-help getting round)
-Youre assessed by dwp as to what ones needed
-Tax free
-Paid to individual to spend as they wish

Question 7

Features of carers allowance(4)

Answer 7

-Paid to those in receipt of AA or PIP
-for minimum 35 hours of care per week
-Paid directly to carer
-taxable

Question 8

Features of ESA (old JSA) (6)

Answer 8

-For those <SPA and have disability/health that affects work
-to encourage people back to work
-Or as work supplement if work under 16 hours pw and <£152 pw
-paid every 2 weeks
-£77pw if can go back to work//£117 if not
-taxable in assessment phase/tax free after

Question 9

Features of stat sick pay (7)

Answer 9

-Paid by employers for up to 28 weeks in addition to own scheme then nothing
-paid through paye
-Taxable
-For those who pay class 1 nics
-min 4 days in a row
-must be absent from normal place of work
-inability to work
-need proof of illness
-must earn at least £123per week
-not means tested
-count as relevant uk earning for pension contributions

Question 10

Features of single tier state pension (4)

Answer 10

-10-35 years nics
-class 3 voluntary for added years (6 years prior)
-people contracted out will get lower payment (in return for it paid into private pension)
-taxable
-from 2016

Question 11

What is contracting out (4)

Answer 11

-employer and employee paid reduced
Nics
-opting out of additional state pension or serps
-in return for private pension
-for employees (self employed didnt have access to additional state pension)

Question 12

How does high income/saving affect dwp. What state benefits are means tested against capital/savings/income? (4)

Answer 12

Child benefit. High income benefit charge. >£50k reduced by £1 for every £2 over

Pension credit >£10,000

Support for mortgage interest loans (smi)-eligible when start getting pension credit or 9 months after getting jsa

Housing benefit and council support >£6000

Question 13

What are the qualifications for attendance allowance, PIP and carers allowance?

Answer 13

AA-must be state pension age and physically/mentally disabled

PIP-Must have long term physical/mental disability

Carers allowance-Must be receiving over 35 hours of care per week-paid to carer