3. Other help for low-paid and unemployed workers
[ch 3: page 26]What’s new?
• A Public Accounts Committee inquiry into benefit sanctions has found that they have become increasingly severe over recent years, with serious consequences including debt, rent arrears and homelessness
• A new and much smaller work and health programme replaces the welfare-to-work scheme work programme from April 2017
• Claimants who are entitled to apply for Universal Credit can apply for a “new style” Jobseeker’s Allowance
• A new Welsh guide to claiming Income Support was published in November 2016
There are a number of benefits — primarily Working Tax Credit, Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance, as well as Universal Credit — for people on low incomes, depending on whether they are working full time or part time, or are out of work and looking for a job.
Other financial help, such as funeral and cold weather payments, may also be available, and help with housing costs for people on low incomes is explained in Chapter 7. Help is also available for bringing up children (see Chapter 5).