3. Working Tax Credit, Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance

Universal Credit (UC) (see Chapter 1) has largely replaced previous benefits — primarily Working Tax Credit (WTC), Income Support (IS) and Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) — that people on low incomes could claim. New claims for these benefits, along with contribution-based and income-related Jobseekers Allowance, can only be made by people getting the severe disability premium (see page 12) or who got it in the past month and are still eligible for it.

Other financial help, such as bereavement payments (see Chapter 8) and cold weather payments (see page 33), may also be available, and help with housing costs for people on low incomes is explained in Chapter 7. Support is also available for bringing up children (see Chapter 5).