Latest news with #Jobseeker'sAllowance
Wales Online
15 hours ago
- Business
- Wales Online
State pensioners born in certain years given immediate Winter Fuel Payment increase
State pensioners born in certain years given immediate Winter Fuel Payment increase The payment is worth £100 more depending on when you were born Not everyone is aware of the price differences (Image: Getty ) Millions of state pensioners were controversially stripped of their £300 Winter Fuel Payment over the winter, since the government declared the benefit would be means tested the issue has been highly contentious. It means the vast majority of state pensioners will no longer receive a £300 payment unless they claim a qualifying benefit. Subsequently, Sir Keir Starmer announced a partial reversal on the benefit, pledging to reassess the eligibility threshold to reinstate the payment to more pensioners. The specifics of how this will be implemented or what the criteria might be have not yet been disclosed. This week, Rachel Reeves announced that more pensioners will receive the winter fuel allowance this year, although it still won't be universal. Officials haven't yet said how many more pensioners will be eligible. Rachel Reeves said: "We have listened to the concerns that people had about the level of the means test and so we will be making changes to that. They will be in place so that pensioners are paid this coming winter. "People should be in no doubt that the means test will increase and more people will get winter fuel payment this winter." However, many aren't aware that if you do qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment this year, the exact amount you receive will vary depending on your birth year and possibly other circumstances as well. Article continues below The Winter Fuel Payment was previously automatically given to all state pensioners, but until any changes are announced, the current rule is that you must be claiming a qualifying benefit such as Pension Credit. Those who are of state pension age but under 80, meaning they were born on or before September 22, 1958, and who qualify will receive a £200 payment. However, those aged over 80 - born on September 23, 1944, or earlier - will receive £300, reports the Express. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here . The amount you receive is determined by your age and circumstances during the 'qualifying week' of September 16 to 22, 2024. If you missed this period, you can backdate Pension Credit claims until December, so it's still accessible now. Therefore, if you're over 80 and eligible, your Winter Fuel Payment will rise from £200 to £300. Most qualifying individuals will receive a letter detailing the amount they'll receive and the bank account in which it will be paid to, this is typically the same as the one used for your Pension Credit or other benefits. Article continues below Age UK said: "If you or your partner claims Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, the payment should go to the main claimant of the benefit automatically. "You should receive your payment between mid-November and Christmas. Call the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0800 731 0160 if you have any enquiries or you don't receive your payment."
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Huge €2k lump sum boost for thousands of Irish TOMORROW after €150 increase – here's 3 eligible groups & rule exception
THOUSANDS of Irish people will receive a €2,000 social welfare payment boost straight into their accounts tomorrow. The lump sum, which The The payment, previously called the Respite Care Grant, can be used in whatever way a person likes - meaning they don't have to use it for a temporary respite break. The grant is paid out automatically to carers getting This year, the payment will land into accounts on June 5. READ MORE IN MONEY There are You can qualify for the payment if you are aged over 16, ordinarily resident in Ireland and caring for the person a full-time basis for at least six months - including the first Thursday in June. You must also be living with the person being cared for, or meet certain criteria. In a situation like this, where the carer and person being cared for live separately, an investigation is conducted by a MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN During the six-month caring period, a person cannot work or take part in an education course for more than 18.5 hours weekly, get Jobseeker's Allowance or Benefit, sign on for credited contributions or live in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution. New online application system opens for €360 or €180 Domiciliary Care Allowance applications The carer also must be providing full-time care and attention and carer's personal circumstances must be suitable to allow them to provide full time care and attention. ARE APPLICATIONS STILL OPEN? The Carer's Support Grant is not a means-tested payment and only one can be paid for each person getting care. If you are getting Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance, you do not need to apply for the money. Instead, you will automatically get it in June. However, those not getting one of the above payments should fill in the Carer's Support Grant application form (CSG1) for each person they are caring for. Applications for the Carer's Support Grant are open from April until 31 December of the following year - meaning those eligible who haven't applied won't miss out on the cash payment. And those who were eligible for the payment last summer but didn't receive it can still apply. For example, you can apply for the Carer's Support Grant for 2024 at any time from April 2024 up until 31 December 2025. And you can apply for the Carer's Support Grant in 2025 at any time from April 2025 up until 31 December 2026. €250 & €500 INCREASE COST MINISTER for Social Protection Dara Calleary last week confirmed that increasing the grant would set the government back millions more each year. When asked by Sinn Fein Deputy Louise O'Reilly what the full-year cost of increasing the grant to €2,250 and €2,500 would be, Calleary said it could amount to as much as €76.8m. He explained: "The current Carer's Support Grant rate is €2,000 per year, following an increase of €150 announced in Budget 2025, payable in June 2025. "The estimated annual cost of increasing the Carer's Support Grant to €2,250 per year is €38.4 million. "The estimated annual cost of increasing the Carer's Support Grant to €2,500 per year is €76.8 million. "These costings are based on the estimated average number of recipients in 2025, and are subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients." 'IMPROVEMENTS' FOR CARERS Calleary also last week told how there have been "significant improvements" made in the supports available to carers recently. Responding to Independent TD Barry Heneghan, Calleary said the government is "fully committed" to supporting carers. He added: "The main income supports for carers provided by my department include Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, and the Carer's Support Grant. "Spending on these payments in 2025 is expected to exceed €1.9 billion." Carer's Allowance is the main income support scheme for carers in the community, with 101,426 recipients at the end of April. And Calleary said the Programme for Government commits to "significantly increasing" the income disregards for Carer's Allowance in each Budget, with a view of He added: "There have been a number of significant improvements made in the last number of years to the means test for Carer's Allowance. "From 3 July, the weekly income disregards will increase further. "For single carers this will increase from €450 to €625. For carers with a spouse or partner, this will increase from €900 to €1,250. "This will make the scheme more accessible to people who previously did not qualify. "As a result, a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €69,000 will retain the maximum payment. The same carer with an income of €97,000 will retain a partial payment." 1 The payment will land into thousands of accounts tomorrow Credit: Getty
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
People on Universal Credit with health issues could be due up to £1,130 every month
Disability benefits such as PIP or ADP do not count towards the benefit cap. The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that there were 7.5 million people across Scotland, England and Wales, receiving financial support through Universal Credit at the end of January. The income-related benefit is designed to help people in and out of work on a low income with everyday living costs. However, many people claiming Universal Credit or income-related Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) who have a disability, long-term illness, or physical or mental health condition, may be unaware that Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) - which has replaced all new claims for PIP in Scotland - could provide extra money to help with daily living or mobility costs. PIP and ADP are tax-free, non-means tested payments that do not affect the benefit cap, which means a single claimant over 25 on Universal Credit or JSA making a new claim for either benefit, could potentially receive up to £749.80 every four weeks independently of their other benefits. Combined with a monthly Universal Credit payment of £400.14 (single, over-25 rate), this could provide up to £1,149.94 each month. It's important to be aware that this figure is based on someone receiving the higher rate of both the daily living and mobility components of either PIP or ADP. It's also crucial to be aware that the health condition itself will not automatically qualify someone for PIP or ADP, it's how it affects a person's daily living and/or mobility needs. Universal Credit (monthly rates) Unlike Universal Credit, PIP and ADP are claimed by individuals, not couples. Single claimants, under 25: £316.98 Single claimants, 25 or over: £400.14 PIP and ADP payment rates You will need an assessment to work out the level of financial help you will receive and your rate will be regularly reviewed to make sure you are getting the right support. PIP is made up of two components - Daily living and Mobility. Whether you get one or both of these and how much depends on how severely your condition affects you. You will be paid the following amounts per week depending on your circumstances: Daily living Standard rate: £73.90 Enhanced rate: £110.40 Mobility Standard rate: £29.20 Enhanced rate: £77.05 Even though new claims for PIP have been replaced in Scotland by ADP, it shares most of the same eligibility criteria. Full guidance on ADP can be found on the website here. PIP health conditions Below are the five main disabling conditions recorded by the DWP at the end of January, 2025. Psychiatric disorders Number of claimants - 1,421,753 This includes mixed anxiety, stress, depressive and mood disorders, OCD and cognitive disorders Musculoskeletal disease (general) Number of claimants - 697,476 This includes muscle or joint pain and arthritic conditions Neurological disease Number of claimants - 472,121 This includes muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, headache, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy and other movement disorders Musculoskeletal disease (regional) Number of claimants - 440,684 This includes neck, back, shoulders, elbow, wrists, hands, hip, knee and ankle pain Respiratory disease Number of claimants - 137,957 This includes asthma, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis An award for PIP or ADP can also open the door to additional support for housing costs, Council Tax, other benefits and a reduction or exemption on public transport fares. Disabling conditions recorded by DWP These are the main disability categories, the umbrella term by which more than 530 other conditions fall under. This list is only an overview of conditions, disorders and diseases and how the DWP lists the main disabilities being claimed for. Haematological Disease Infectious disease Malignant disease Metabolic disease Psychiatric disorders Neurological disease Visual disease Hearing disorders Cardiovascular disease Gastrointestinal disease Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, biliary tract Skin disease Musculoskeletal disease (general) Musculoskeletal disease (regional) Autoimmune disease (connective tissue disorders) Genitourinary disease Endocrine disease Respiratory disease Multisystem and extremes of age Diseases of the immune system Below is an overview of PIP and ADP. Even though new claims for PIP have been replaced in Scotland by ADP, it shares most of the same eligibility criteria. Full guidance on ADP can be found on the website here. Who might be eligible for PIP or ADP? To be eligible for PIP or ADP, you must have a health condition or disability where you: have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both) for 3 months expect these difficulties to continue for at least 9 months You usually need to have lived in the UK for at least two of the last three years and be in the country when you apply. In addition to what we have outlined above, if you get or need help with any of the following because of your condition, you should consider applying for PIP or ADP: preparing, cooking or eating food managing your medication washing, bathing or using the toilet dressing and undressing engaging and communicating with other people reading and understanding written information making decisions about money planning a journey or following a route moving around There are different rules if you are terminally ill, you will find these for PIP on the website here and for ADP on here. DWP or Social Security Scotland will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task they will look at: whether you can do it safely how long it takes you how often your condition affects this activity whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment How are PIP and ADP paid? PIP and ADP are usually paid every four weeks unless you are terminally ill, in which case it is paid weekly. It will be paid directly into your bank, building society or credit union account. ADP is paid at the same rates as PIP. How you are assessed You will be assessed by an independent healthcare professional to help the DWP determine the level of financial support, if any, you need, for PIP. Face-to-face consultations for health-related benefits are offered alongside video calls, telephone and paper-based assessments - it's important to be aware the health professional and DWP determine which type of assessment is best suited for each claimant. You can find out more about DWP PIP assessments here. Adult Disability Payment assessments will not involve face-to-face assessments, unless this is preferred by the claimant - find out more about the changes here. How to make a claim for PIP You can make a new claim by contacting the DWP, you will find all the information you need to apply on the website here. Before you call, you will need: your contact details your date of birth your National Insurance number - this is on letters about tax, pensions and benefits your bank or building society account number and sort code your doctor or health worker's name, address and telephone number dates and addresses for any time you've spent abroad, in a care home or hospital How to apply for ADP People can apply for ADP, over the phone, by post or in-person. To find out more or apply, visit the dedicated pages on here or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Rhyl Journal
Bodelwyddan drug-driver ‘didn't realise he was over limit'
James Burke, 40, of Bryn Dedwydd, was handed a 16-month disqualification from driving at Llandudno Magistrates Court yesterday (June 2). Burke, who pleaded guilty to drug-driving during yesterday's hearing, was also ordered to pay more than £500. The court heard that, just after 5am on February 20, a police officer saw Burke driving an Audi vehicle on the A525 with a defective headline. He was pursued by the officer until he brought his car to a stop, after which he returned a positive roadside test for cannabis. In custody, he gave a sample of his blood, which was found to contain 15 micrograms of Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – a compound in cannabis. Mitigating, Burke's solicitor asked the court to acknowledge his 'timely guilty plea' and his absence of any 'relevant previous convictions'. Burke 'didn't realise he was over the legal limit' at the time, the court was told. A father of two, he is in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance, and is trying to find work as a digger driver. Sentencing, District Judge Gwyn Jones fined Burke £300, and ordered him to pay £85 in costs, and a surcharge of £120. His licence was also endorsed. 'Please don't drive while banned,' the judge told Burke.
The Irish Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
New €450 weekly social welfare cash WON'T be paid to key workers group after scheme axe as ‘patterns' decision confirmed
A NEW €450 weekly social welfare cash scheme WON'T be paid out to a key workers group, it's been confirmed. The government earlier this year axed the Jobseeker's Benefit scheme in favour of a 1 Minister Dara Calleary confirmed the cash won't be available to certain employees out of work Credit: JOHN MCELROY The contribution history who becomes unemployed. The "landmark" scheme Those - which is available in three different rates - qualify based on the number of personal they have made. READ MORE IN MONEY A total of 60 per cent of your prior income will be available for people who have made at least five years worth of PRSI contributions, which amounts to a maximum of €450. This will be paid for the first three months that a person is The third rate will be a maximum of €300 and is based on 50 per cent of the prior income, being paid over the final three months. The minimum payment rate available is €125 but those over 25 may qualify for more if they have children. MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN And In a Dail parliamentary question, Sinn Fein TD Padraig Mac Lochlainn queried if "post-primary teachers will be entitled to pay-related jobseeker's benefit when they become unemployed at the end of this academic year in May 2025 and where they have been unable to secure an employment contract for September 2025 ". Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary said: "Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit is a new social insurance income support which has replaced the Jobseeker's Benefit scheme for people who are fully unemployed, who have become unemployed since 31 March 2025 and who meet the statutory conditions of the scheme. "The legislation provides that those whose employment involves a recurring pattern of employment and unemployment reflecting the academic year are not eligible for the scheme. "Factors taken into account include the pattern of the employment or previous employment of the person and the typical employment patterns in the sector in which the person is normally employed or was previously employed. "Teachers who are out of contract and are seeking to return to employment can claim the PRSI-based insurance Jobseeker's Benefit or the means-tested Jobseeker's Allowance. "There is no change to the income supports to which such persons are entitled." People may get Jobseeker's Benefit if they don't qualify for the new Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit if they are a part-time, casual or seasonal worker, a short-time worker, a retained fire fighter or temporarily laid-off work continuously at specific times during the year, for example, their employment is based around the school or academic year. AM I ELIGIBLE FOR NEW PAY-RELATED BENEFIT SCHEME? THERE are a number of different criteria that those seeking the new Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit scheme must meet. You must have paid at least 104 PRSI insurable employment contributions at Class A, H or P. You also need to have paid at least four PRSI insurable employment contributions at Class A or H in the 10 weeks before applying. Applicants must also have paid at least 26 PRSI insurable employment contributions at Class A or H in the 52 weeks before your first day of unemployment. You could be disqualified from getting Jobseeker's Allowance for up to nine weeks if you: Left work voluntarily and without just cause Lost your job through misconduct Refused an offer of suitable employment or training and you have been on a penalty rate of JA for at least 21 days You should apply for Jobseeker's Allowance the first day you become unemployed as it is not paid out for the first three days. For Jobseeker's Benefit, you must pay Class A, H or P PRSI contributions. Class A is the one paid by most employees. Class H is paid by soldiers, reservists and temporary army nurses. To qualify, you need at least 104 weeks of Class A, H or P PRSI paid contributions or at least 156 Class S PRSI contributions since you first started work. Meanwhile, Jobseeker's Allowance is a means-tested payment, so your income must be below a certain amount to get it. And to qualify, you must be looking for full-time work – and you must be able to show proof of this to the Department. The maximum personal weekly rate for Jobseeker's Allowance is €244. But core social welfare payments like the Jobseeker's Allowance CASH BOOST CALLS Social Justice Ireland's Susanne Rogers said payments needed to be increased to ensure those relying on social welfare are not "falling behind" others in society. She told the Irish Sun: "According to our calculations, if core social welfare rates were bench marked at 27.5 per cent of average earnings, the payment would currently be €266 a week, not €244 a week. "This level would mean that those relying on social welfare for all or part of their income would not be falling further behind the rest of society. "Every household in the country has seen their bills increase for the essentials - food and energy in particular. "Low income households however, have stark choices to make between those essentials when costs rise and income doesn' heat or eat response." She added that the She said: "Government must commit to bench marking payments so that those households are afforded an income level that provides for a basic but decent standard of living. "Government has anti-poverty commitments in both the Roadmap for Social Inclusion and the Sustainable Development Goals and cannot hope to meet them unless core welfare rates are addressed."
