State Benefits

Question 1

State bereavement?

Answer 1

Modest lump sum and monthly income for 18 months

Question 2

Sickness and disability

Answer 2

Unable to work for medical reasons and
Suffering from medical / requiring financial assistance

Question 3

Statutory sick pay

Answer 3

SSP paid fixed rate by employer to employees for 4days or longer, payable up to 28 weeks

Question 4

Employment and support allowance ESA

Answer 4

Those under state pension age who are self employed- suffer from illness/disability preventing them from working.
Had to have been paying NICs

Question 5

Attendance allowance

Answer 5

Tax free benefits for 65 yrs older needing personal care from sickness/disability.
Not means tested
Not dependent on NIC contributions
Two levels: day care or day& night care

Question 6

Personal independence payments

Answer 6

PIP tax free benefits - help with personal care and getting around
Only receivable began claims before age 65 but can continue afterwards
Not NIC dependent
Not means tested

Question 7

Carer’s allowance

Answer 7

Benefit paid to those caring for disabled for at least 35 hours a week
Disabled person must be receiving certain disability benefits
Must be age 16 or older
Earning less than certain amt/ a week
Benefits is flat rate payments with additional benefits for dependent children
Allowance not NIC dependent
Not means tested

Question 8

Maternity/paternity payments -statutory maternity pay

Answer 8

SMP- weekly, taxable from employer to employee for a total 39 weeks
May need to meet service/pay criteria

Maternity allowance available to those not able to get SMP. . . I.e self-employed, just changed jobs
Allowance max 39 weeks by dept for work and pensions (DWP)— not taxable
Restriction on who is eligible

Question 9

Statutory paternity paySPP

Answer 9

Same flat rate as SMP, 1-2weeks to partner of mother
or adoptive parents

Question 10

Statutory shared parental pay

Answer 10

Share equivalent of 37 weeks(father already gets 2) between parents
Must meet certain income criteria

Question 11

Jobseeker Allowance JSA

Answer 11

Taxable to unemployed or working less than 16 hours
NIC dependent
Flat rate above 25 years old, lower for less than 25

Question 12

Universal credit

Answer 12

UC means tested benefits on low income
Must commit to look for work unless parent with infant child- less than 1year

Question 13

Pension credit

Answer 13

Means tested
Available to men born before April 6, 1951 and women born before April 6 1953
Guarantees a minimum income broadly equal to flat state pension benefits, higher for couples, topped off for a guaranteed amount
Both partners must meet age requirements