Help and info for women
If you leave an abusive partner you may be able to claim certain welfare benefits to support yourself and any children. The system is complicated so you are best to speak to an adviser from Women’s Aid, your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau or rights office.
If you are not a UK/EEC citizen you may not be able to claim these benefits. You can get more information on this from Women’s Aid, your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau or rights office.
This is money to help people aged 16-59 who are on a low income. It is means tested. It is for people who do not have to sign on as unemployed, for example people who are sick or disabled, lone parents, carers or registered blind. Over 60? Find out about Pension Credit below. You apply for IS at your local Jobcentre Plus or Social Security Office.
You may be entitled to JSA if you do not qualify for Income Support. It is claimed by people of working age who do not fall into the criteria of IS.
You apply for this at your local Jobcentre Plus or Social Security Office.
More on Jobseeker's Allowance.
This benefit helps with the cost of rent. It is assessed on income. If you receive Income Support you will probably get full Housing Benefit.
If you rent from the private rented sector, your Housing Benefit may not cover the cost of your full rent.
You apply for Housing Benefit from your local council office.
You may be able to claim Working Tax Credit if you are working but on a low wage. It is means tested. If you have children, you need to work 16 hours a week or more; if you do not have children, it’s 30 hours.
You may be able to claim Child Tax Credit if you have responsibilities for children. It is means tested. You can claim this if you are working or on benefits.
This is means tested and is for people over 60. If you are over 60 you would claim this instead of Income Support.
You may be able to apply for financial help through a Crisis Loan, a Budgeting Loan or a Community Care Grant. You apply to the Department for Work and Pensions (www.dwp.gov.uk) for these. Women’s Aid or your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau can help you apply.
Crisis Loans are usually given when you need urgent financial help. They have to be repaid. Budgeting Loans also have to be repaid. Community Care Grants do not.
You may be able to get the rent on your main property paid as well as the rent in your emergency accommodation (Discretionary Housing Payment) from your local council. Women’s Aid or your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau can give you more information about this.
You may be able to claim this if you have a disability, a serious illness or you care for a child who has a disability or serious illness. Your local Citizen’s Advice Bureau can give you more information about this and can help you apply.
More on Disability Living Allowance
Adapted with permission from the Glasgow Violence Against Women Training Consortium