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■ Mortgage interest run on
An extra four weeks of money towards paying for housing costs
if other benefits stop because of returning to work, working more
hours or earning more. The amount is normally the same as you
received before your benefits were stopped and you can apply
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when notifying Jobcentre Plus of your change in circumstances.
■ legal Aid
If you are having legal problems or are accused of a crime and
cannot afford to pay for a legal advisor, you may get Legal Aid from
the Legal Services Commission. This is a free service funded by
the Legal Services Commission and offers advice on many issues
including divorce and separation, mediation and other family
matters, welfare benefits, credit and debt problems, housing and
property disputes, immigration and clinical negligence.
To check eligibility based on your income and savings, there is
an online calculator available at:
www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/en/legalaid/calculator.jsp.
To get Community Legal Advice you need to visit a quality assured
solicitor or adviser.
■ Community Care Grants
Apply if you need financial help to live independently in the
community, e.g. if moving out of residential care to live independently
or help to stay at home rather than go into residential care.
The amount you receive depends on your circumstances. Apply
by contacting your local Jobcentre Plus or by downloading the form
from the Department for Work and Pensions:
www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/claimforms/sf300_print.pdf.
■ Tax Credits
Nine out of ten families with children receive tax credits but you do
not need to have children to be eligible, you may also be eligible if
you are working and on low pay. The amount you receive depends
on how many children are living with you, if you work and for how
many hours, if you pay for childcare, if any of your children are
disabled or if you are aged over 50 and coming off benefits. The
payments also depend on your income: the lower your income
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