Learning Intentions Today I will Gain an understanding

Learning Intentions • Today I will: • Gain an understanding of the types of benefits people can receive • Understand that some benefits are not available to everyone

Types of benefits… • Contributory benefit

Types of benefits… • Contributory benefit Based on contributions made. People pay national insurance contributions whilst working which go towards a person’s pension when they retire.

Types of benefits… • Non-means tested benefit

Types of benefits… • Non-means tested benefit A benefit which people can receive that is not based on their income.

Types of benefits… • Means tested benefit

Types of benefits… • Means tested benefit A benefit people can receive which is based on their income

Copy this link into your jotter: • http: //www. adviceguide. or g. uk/scotland/your_money /benefits_index_scotland. htm

Benefit Who benefits? Description Tax Credits- over 50 Parents Over 50 Payment made to an individual who is responsible for one or more young persons. Working tax credit if on low wages. Dependent on circumstances. If a person is over 50 and have been on benefits and starting work again they may qualify. Must be working 16 hours per week or more. Must be aged 50 on the day of starting work. Health in Pregnancy Benefit Pregnant women One of payment made to help women who are on a low income to help pay for things needed for the new baby. Jobseeker’s Allowance Main benefit for people who are of working age and are out of work. Working less than 16 hours per week. Two types: Contribution based- those who have been paying NI. Income based- dependent on circumstances.

Benefit Who benefits? Description Child Benefit Families Universal Benefit Employment and Support Allowance Paid to those who cannot work due to illness or disability. ESA offers personalised support to help people manage and cope with their illness while in work. A Work Capability Assessment is carried out to assess what a person is capable of doing and identifies the health related support an individual. Interview with personal advisor to focus on her return to work. Under ESA an individual who has an illness or disability that severely affects their ability to work they will get increased support. Social Fund and Community Care Grant or loan to help pay for items for the house, clothes, footwear, travel, new baby or funeral.

ESA- arguments for and against • Practice of increasing benefits will be stopped over time. • ESA will increase hardship for vulnerable people with health problems. • Difficult to assess who is and who is not fit for work. • ESA will save the tax payer money. • Encourage people to get back into work which will improve their health. Incapacity Benefit discouraged people looking for work. • Discourage welfare dependency • More people will take on work even though they are not fit enough. • This is about saving money rather than helping people. • It will lead to an increase in social inclusion which the government is supposed to be trying to reduce.

Extension Task… • Use; https: //www. dwpeservices. direct. gov. uk/portal/page/ portal/ba/lp - benefits calculator • What benefits might the following people be entitled to: 1. Granny Betty, born 1935, single, no children, council house, weekly income - £ 100 Dave, unemployed and not looking for work, born 1980, single, 1 child born 2009, council house, weekly income – £ 130 2. (Put “no” for any questions you don’t have info. for)