What help can I get when I start work?
If you have been getting income support, jobseekers allowance, employment and support allowance, incapacity benefit or severe disablement allowance and this has stopped because :-
- You or your partner have started work
- You or your partner have received an increase in pay
- You or your partner have received an increase in the hours you work
you may be able to receive an extended payment.
What is an 'extended payment'?
If you are entitled to an extended payment, this means that your housing benefit and council tax benefit will continue for an extra four weeks as if you were still getting:
- Income support
- Jobseekers allowance (Income-based)
- Employment and support allowance (income-related)
- Incapacity benefit
- Severe disablement allowance
- Employment and support allowance (contributions-based)
However, if you would qualify for more benefit under your new circumstances, you will receive an extra four weeks benefit at your new amount. The extended payment can still be made even if you move to another address to start work.
How do I qualify for an extended payment?
The main criteria for receipt of an extended payment are:-
- that the job must be expected to last for five weeks or longer
- that when the claim is made you must be aged under 60
AND
You or your partner must have been receiving either:-
- Income Support continuously for 26 weeks before you start work
- Jobseekers Allowance continuously for 26 weeks before you start work. You must have been in receipt of income-based jobseekers allowance on the date your entitlement stopped (not contribution-based)
- Employment and Support Allowance continuously for 26 weeks before you start work. You must have been in receipt of income-related employment and support allowance on the date your entitlement stopped (not contribution-based)
- Incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance or employment and support allowance (contribution-based) continuously for 26 weeks before you start work
How do I claim an extended payment?
You will not have to claim an extended payment. When you tell us that you have started work or increased your wages or the hours you work, we will automatically look to see if you should receive one.
What happens if my liability to pay rent or council tax ends?
Your extended payment will stop when your liability to pay rent and council tax stops.
What happens if my extended payment period includes some rent free weeks?
We cannot pay for any rent free weeks during the four week period.
What happens after my extended payment comes to an end, or if you cannot give me an extended payment?
You may still be able to get housing benefit and council tax benefit based on your new income details. We will need to know full details of your new income, and you will need to provide proof of your and your partner’s earnings, benefits and capital.
What happens if I have a change in circumstances during my extended payment period?
If you would get less benefit based on your new circumstances, your extended payment will remain in payment at its current rate.
If you would get more money based on your new circumstances, your extended payment would be increased to the new rate for the whole four-week period.
These rules will also apply if you turn 60 during your extended payment period.
If you need more information, please contact the Benefits Service.