A. Benefits and Tax Credits

We have updated our benefits and tax credits rates.  The new rates apply from 6 April 2012.  When reading Encyclopedia of Rights notes, please refer to the chart where appropriate.  Find benefits and tax credits rates 2012-2013 here.

The government is in the process of making significant changes to benefits.  Some have already been implemented and are incorporated in the notes below, others are briefly listed in the following article: Benefits and the Budget

In addition, a new Universal Credit is planned for 2013, which will replace many of the benefits listed below.

1. Income Support (Updated January 2012)

2. Jobseeker's Allowance (Updated January 2012)

3. DLA and AA (Updated April 2012)

4. Incapacity Benefit (Updated January 2012)

5. Social Fund (Updated January 2012)

6. Housing Benefit (Updated January 2012)

7. Tax Credits

• Introduction to Tax Credits (Updated February 2012)

• Annual Review and Renewal (Updated May 2011)

• Recovery of Overpayments (Updated April 2011)

• Childcare Costs (Updated May 2011)

• Rates and Sample Calculations (Updated May 2011)

8. Pension Credit (Updated January 2012)

9. Decision Making and Appeals (Updated May 2011)

10. Employment and Support Allowance (Updated January 2012)

11.  Benefits and Tax Credits Rates 2012-2013

B. Community Care

1. Introduction to Community Care (Updated June 2011)

2. Financing Residential Care (Updated April 2011)

3. Benefits in Hospital and Respite Care (Updated April 2011)

C. Employment

1. Rights of Employees (Updated February 2012)

2. Statutory Sick Pay (Updated January 2012)

D. Immigration

1. Marriage / Civil Partnership and Relationships: UK Rules (Updated March 2012)

2. Marriage, Civil partnership and Relationships: EEA Regulations (Updated March 2012)

Appendices

Appendix 1: Law Centre (NI)

Appendix 2: Social Security Offices

Appendix 3: Volunteering and Benefits

Appendix 4: Tax Credit Offices

Encyclopedia of Rights is published with joint support from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Social Security Agency.  A CD version is available to our members, along with other Law Centre publications, training and advice line services.

To access the Social Security Agency website, click here.

To access HMRC's website, click here.