Topic 5 State Benefits & HMRC Tax Credits Flashcards
What are the 2 ways state benefits may affect financial planning?
- The need for financial protection
- The amount of cover in place and the amount a person requires - Financial Circumstances
- If income exceeds a set amount entitlement to some state benefits may be reduced/withdrawn
What is Universal Credit?
Is a means tested benefit available to all working age people regardless of their current status
How does Universal Credit work?
The amount awarded depends on income and the claimants person & Financial circumstances.
As earnings increase Universal Credit entitlement reduces
Allowance bands for Universal Credit
Basic (Single people & couples)
Lower (Young People)
Additional (Disabled, Caring responsibilities, Housing costs & Childcare costs)
- Carers
- New Style jobs seekers
- New style employment & Support
- Child Benefit
- Statutory Sick Pay
- Statutory Maternity Pay
- Maternity Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
Not covered by Universal Credit
What is Working Tax Credit?
(UC)
Tops up the earnings of people on low incomes.
Extra amounts for
- Working household if a member has a disability
- Costs of Qualifying Childcare
What is Income Support?
(UC)
- Tax free benefit for people aged 16 - retirement age
- Low income working less than 16 hours per week
- Top up income
- Available to people with no income
What is Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)?
(UC)
A benefit available to unemployed & people working less than 16 hours per week seeking employment
What are the 2 types of JSA
- New Style
- Income based (Been replaced by Universal Credit)
What is this type of JSA
- Paid sufficient Class 1 NIC
- Paid at fixed rate for 6 months
- Paid gross
- Credited with NIC for every week
New Style JSA
What is Support for Mortgage Interest Loan (SMI)?
(UC)
Assistance to pay mortgage interest. It is a loan that must be repaid.
Who is SMI available to?
- Those on income support, JSA, Pension Credit and Universal Credit
- Pays mortgage interest up to those on an upper threshold
How is SMI different for people on Pension credit?
Subject to SMI on a lower threshold
What does SMI not do?
- Pay capital on a mortgage
- Pay insurance premiums
- Pay mortgage arrears
How does the lender take the SMI payment?
It is send to them at the approximate rate of the mortgage interest rate
How is SMI secured?
- By a second charge that is subject to interest.
- Is repaid if property is sold or ownership is transferred
How is the benefits gap being closed?
- A weekly cap on the maximum income that can be received from benefits was introduced.
- Equivalent to the average weekly wage
- Employment & Support Allowance
- Income Support
- JSA
- Housing Benefit
- Maternity Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Child Tax Credit
- Bevreament Allowance
- Incapacity Benefits
- Severe Disability Allowance
- Universal Credit (unfit for work)
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance
Subject to benefits cap
What are the two main benefits types for bringing up children?
- During Pregnancy
- Benefits payable as children are growing up
Who is able to apply for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
Employed Women
What are the requirements for SMP?
- Average weekly earnings are above a certain threshold
- They have been working for 26 continuous weeks before their “qualifying week”
What is the Qualifying Week for SMP?
15th Week before the baby is due
What are the 2 rates of SMP?
Initial period
Standard Flat Rate or Set Percentage
How long is SMP & MA payable for?
- For a maximum of 39 weeks
Can be claimed
- 11 weeks before the baby is born and when when the baby is born
Who is Maternity Allowance available to?
- The self employed, people who stopped working and people who have recently changed jobs.
What is Child Benefit?
Is a benefit available to anybody responsible for bringing up a child. It is not subject to NICs
What age does Child Benefit stop?
Age 16 but 20 if the child is in education
What happens to a couple claiming Child Benefit if they earn over a set threshold?
- Children Benefit is means tested therefore tax is payable if net income is over the threshold
- Tax due can equal the benefit paid
What is Child Tax Credit?
(UC)
A benefit available to anyone bringing up a child on low income