If you have recently lost your job, now is the time to make sure you receive all the benefits, allowances and tax credits to which you are entitled. Government help is avilable to boost your income while you are looking for work - here is a quick guide.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

This is the main benefit for the unemployed. To qualify, you must be actively seeking work, under the state pension age (60 for women and 65 for men) and either not working or working less than 16 hours a week.

There are two types of JSA, contribution-based and income-based. Contribution-based JSA depends on how much you have paid in National Insurance Contributions in the last two tax years, and can be paid for up to six months. Income and savings are not taken into account. If you have been working full time for two years, you will be paid the JSA for the full six months. If you have only been working part-time, you will recieve payment for less time - three months, for example.

Income-based JSA is for those who have not made National Insurance Contributions, and is based on your income and savings. It is paid until you find work. Your payments might be reduced if you receive income from part-time employment. You will also get less if you have savings of more than £6,000. If you have savings of more than £16,000 you probably won't qualify. If your partner or civil partner works 24 hours or more a week, you also won't qualify; if they work less than 24 hours, it may affect how much you get.

For the contribution-based JSA, you get £47.95 per week if aged between 16-24, and £60.50 per week if aged over 25.

For income-based JSA, you get £60.50 per week if you are single and aged over 25, or £94.95 if you are in a couple.

If you are eligible for contribution-based JSA and have not found work once your eligibility period finishes, you may be placed on to income-based JSA.

To claim, call 0800 0556688 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday), or go online at the Department for Work and Pensions website here.

An adviser will explain how JSA works and draw up a "jobseeker's agreement" with you, detailing your position and the help and support you will recieve. You will need to confirm your claim in person every two weeks, and your situation will be reviewed at regular interviews.

The New Deal programme

This is designed to give people on benefits the help and support they need to look for work, including training and preparing for work. There are different programmes for the following people: young people (18 to 24), over-25s, over-50s, the disabled, lone parents, the self-employed, and musicians.

For more information, go to the Job Centre Plus website.

Income Support

This is designed for those who cannot work full-time. You may be eligible if you are aged 16 to 59 and you are a lone parent, sick or disabled, or you care for someone who is sick or elderly – but you cannot have savings of more than £16,000, or work more than 16 hours a week. The amount you receive varies depending on your age and circumstance.

To claim, call 0800 0556688 or contact Job Centre Plus.

Council Tax Benefit

If you are entitled to Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance you could get up to a 100 per cent reduction on your council tax bill. You will not normally qualify if you have more than £16,000 in savings. Ask your local council for a claim form.

Tax Credits

Tax credits are payments from the Government. If you are responsible for at least one child or young person who normally lives with you, you may qualify for Child Tax Credit. If you work, but earn low wages, you may qualify for Working Tax Credit – even if you have no children. The amount varies depending on individual circumstances.

To find out if you qualify, complete this questionnaire on the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) website, which should take no more than five minutes. If you do qualify, you can find out how much you should get using this HMRC calculator.

If you have any questions, call the tax credit helpline on 0845 3003900, open 8am to 8pm seven days a week.

Disability Living Allowance

This is for children and adults who need help with personal care or have walking difficulties because they are physically or mentally disabled. You can get the benefit whether or not you work, and it is not usually affected by any savings or income.

You can receive between £17.75 and £67 per week, depending on how your disability affects you. To claim, call 0800 882200, or download a claim form on the Department for Work and Pensions website here or visit Job Centre Plus.

Carer's Allowance

This is a taxable benefit to help those who look after a disabled person. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person that you care for. You must spend at least spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a person who receives certain disability benefits. You can not get the benefit if you are in full-time education, or earn more than £95 per week. The weekly rate is £50.55.

To claim, call the Carer's Allowance Unit on 01253 856123, or download a claim form on the Department for Work and Pensions website here.

Housing Benefit

If you are out of work and need financial help to pay all or part of your rent, you may be able to get Housing Benefit. You will not be eligible if you have savings of more than £16,000. You can rent from either the council or a private landlord.

Check your eligibility using this Direct Gov guide.

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