Find out what we are rambling on about:
Housing Benefit – This is when the local
council pay for the rent in your home. Usually this applies when
you are unemployed or can not work due to ill health or you may be
on a low income. Sometimes the full amount is paid, other times
they only pay some towards your rent payments.
Job Seekers Allowance – is an amount of money
that the government gives you, if you are out of work. You can
claim job seekers allowance if you are capable of working, but do
not have a job. You have to attend regular interviews to discuss
your progress in seeking new employment. Usually you have to be
over 18 to claim.
Income Support – this is also money the
government gives you if you are out of work, but it isn’t suitable
for you to be looking for work at this time. This maybe because you
are pregnant, under 18 and in further education, or if you are
ill.
Homeless - The legal definition of homelessness for England and
Wales can be found in the 1996 Housing Act which describes a
person as homeless if: There is no accommodation that they
are entitled to occupy; or They have
accommodation but it is not reasonable for them to continue to
occupy this accommodation.
Intentionally homeless - this is when your own
behaviour and actions have led to you becoming homeless. So for
example if you have not paid your rent, or mortgage, or you have
committed anti-social behaviour which has led to you being evicted
from your property. If you are found to be intentionally homeless
the local council does not have a duty to house you.
Estranged – This is a term that may be used if
you are no longer living with your parents, and you do not receive
contact from them, and they no longer support you.
Priority Need –means that your needs are more
important than other on the housing waiting list so may get housed
quicker. Examples of a priority need maybe someone who is pregnant
and homeless, has children and is homeless or is under 18 and
homeless.
Child Benefit – Is a benefit received by your
parents or carer. Your parents/carer can claim this up to the age
of 18 if you remain in full time education, or it will stop at 16
if you begin full time work. It isn’t means tested so everyone can
apply for it.
Means tested – certain benefits from the
government are means tested, this means that how much you receive
depends on how much you are already earning, and how much you have
in savings. Working and child tax credits are both means
tested.
Working Tax Credit – is a benefit for people
on low income, or who only work part time. There are several
different requirements to qualify, and each persons claim is
assessed on that individual’s financial situation.
Child Tax Credit – like working tax credits it
is for families on a low income. How much a family earns, and how
many children are all factors in the claim. Only someone with a
child or children can claim child tax credit.
(for more information on working, or child tax
credits, visit http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ or call the
helpline on 08453003900)
CAF Common Assessment Framework - The CAF is a
standardised approach to conducting assessments of children's
additional needs and deciding how these should be met. It can
be used by practitioners across children's services in England.