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Important message for Benefits Adviser users

Currently, there are some circumstances the benefits adviser can’t cover when advising on:

  • Housing Benefit (Rent)
  • Housing Benefit (Rates)
  • Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income Support

It also may not show free school meals and Healthy Start vouchers for some people entitled to Child Tax Credit.

This will be updated shortly.

Housing Benefit (Rates) and Housing Benefit (Rent)

If you rent your home and/or you are liable to pay Rates, you may not get an estimate for Housing Benefit (Rent) and/or Housing Benefit (Rates). Also, the amount shown may be lower than the actual amount payable if you (or your partner) are getting:

  • Employment and Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance care component (highest rate), or
  • Child Benefit and your total weekly income (including Child Benefit) is more than  £137.00 per week

Employment and Support Allowance

If you (or your partner) are getting Employment and Support Allowance and Disability Living Allowance care component (highest rate) you may:

  • get an estimate for Employment and Support Allowance that is lower than the actual amount payable, or
  • not be shown an amount for Employment and Support Allowance at all

Income Support

You may have been incorrectly shown as eligible for Employment and Support Allowance, if you:

  • have been getting Income Support as a lone parent and your youngest child is aged nine or over
  • do not qualify for any Lone Parent Obligation exemptions
  • are now ill, disabled, or disadvantaged

In these cases, you may be able to retain your Income Support instead of claiming Employment and Support Allowance.

Free School Meals and Healthy Start vouchers

If you are entitled to Child Tax Credit and have a yearly income between £15,276.01 and £16,039.99 you may be able to get extra help with free school meals and Healthy Start vouchers.