What is an applicable amount for benefits purposes??
This is an amount which the Government says a person needs to live on per week, depending on their personal circumstances. It is used to work out entitlement to Housing and Council Tax Benefit.
It is made up of: -
- Your personal allowances
- Personal allowances for any dependants
- Premiums
They are looked at each year by the Government and usually the new rates will be used to work out your Housing and Council Tax Benefit every April.
Your Personal Allowances
Each person that claims benefit gets a basic personal allowance, (or in the case of a couple, a single amount for both of you).
The level of this basic allowance depends on your age.
If you are a married or unmarried couple, the personal allowance will be awarded on the older partner's age, even if they are not the person claiming benefit.
Personal allowances for dependants
Where a child or young person is considered to be a member of your family (for example you are responsible for the child or young person and they are a member of your household), then a dependant allowance will normally be added to your applicable amount for each child or young person.
The level of the dependent allowance depends on the age of the child or young person.
This allowance is included until your child leaves school or reaches their 19th birthday.
No allowance can be added where your child has more than £3000 in savings or investments.
Premiums
A premium can be added to your personal allowance and any dependant allowance if you (or a member of your family) meet certain conditions. The premiums include: -
Family Premium
For couples with children and lone parents responsible for a child or children. There are 2 rates of the Family Premium. Lone parents may be entitled to the protected Family Premium (Lone Parent) rate only if certain conditions are met.
Pensioner Premium
For all claimants (or their partners) aged between 60 and 74.
Enhanced Pensioner Premium
For all claimants (or their partners) aged between 74 and 79.
Higher Pensioner Premium
For all claimants (or their partners) aged 80 or over. This can also be awarded to claimants aged over 60 or more and disabled.
Disability Premium
For claimants (or their partners), aged less than 60, who get any of the qualifying benefits - these include Disability Living Allowance, Disability Working Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance, Incapacity Benefit.(long term rate or short term higher rate paid at the long term rate).
Severe Disability Premium
For claimants who already qualify for the Disability Premium, the Severe Disability Premium may be included in the applicable amount where they get the care component of Disability Living Allowance at the highest or middle rate, Attendance Allowance or Constant Attendance Allowance, they live alone and no one gets Invalid Care Allowance for looking after them.
Disabled Child Premium
This is a flat rate premium awarded for each disabled child in a claimant's household, and can be included with any other premiums. A child is considered to be disabled if they are registered blind or receiving Disability Living Allowance. No disabled Child Premium can be awarded if the child has more than £3000 in savings.
Carer Premium
This is awarded if either the claimant or partner looks after a disabled person and gets Invalid Care Allowance.
Further Advice & Information
If you need further advice or information, please contact South Shropshire District Council, Benefit Section, Revenue Services, Stone House, Corve Street, Ludlow. SY8 1DG.
You can telephone us on 01584 813150 or 01584 813151, or come to our enquiry encounter at the above address (you don't need an appointment).
We are open from 8.40am to 5.15pm Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9.30am to 5.15pm on Tuesday and 8.40am to 4.30pm on a Friday.
Alternatively, e-mail us at benefits@southshropshire.gov.uk.
This Information is also available in large print, Braille and audio cassette on request.
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Subscribe to changes to this page here.Author: Reception Services. Last Updated: 4/10/2006.
