Help for those who are starting work
This section provides general advice on the help you may be able to get if you start work or increase the number of hours you work.
Extended payments - help with housing costs
If you were getting help with your housing costs while you were out of work, you may continue to receive the same amount of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit as you did before you started work. This will continue for 4 weeks and is known as an Extended Payment.
In order to qualify for an Extended Payment
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You must have in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance or contributory Employment & Support Allowance continuously for at least 26 weeks before starting work and
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your employment /increased hours must be expected to last for 5 weeks or more
You do not need to apply for an Extended Payment. It will be automatically awarded if you meet the qualifying conditions when you start work.
Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
You can still get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit (or both) if you are working. The amount you receive will depend on your income, savings and family circumstances.
You can use the Claim Benefits Online| system to work out whether or not you will be entitled to Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit. Please note, this is only intended as a guide. Alternatively you can contact us on 0800 652 5422 (freephone).
Tax credits
A tax credit is a payment that you receive regularly. Nine out of ten families with children are eligible for Child Tax Credit.
If you are working more than 16 hours a week and are on a low income, you may be able to get Working Tax Credit too.
Tax credits may also be able to help with the costs of your childcare if you:
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work for at least 16 hours per week
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worked more than 16 hours per week before going on adoption, maternity, paternity or sick leave
You can get more information about claiming tax credits on the Government's website directgov|.
In Work Credit
In Work Credit is a fixed tax-free payment of £40 per week for parents bringing up children alone. It is payable for up to 52 weeks on top of your earnings, when you start work of at least 16 hours per week. You need to claim it before you start work.
More Information
For more information on Benefits and help when going back to work please refer to the directgov| website.
Further information is available in the Our guide to help those who are starting work| leaflet.