LRD guides and handbook April 2018

State benefits and tax credits 2018

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Chapter 9

9. Calculating means-tested benefits


Income Support (IS), income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Housing Benefit (HB) are means-tested benefits that depend on your income. This table gives you the various amounts you need to add up to calculate your applicable amount from which your benefit entitlement will be decided. The rates shown are for the year from 6 April 2018. To calculate your applicable amount, add the weekly personal allowance for you, your partner (if you have one) and any children, plus any premiums payable in respect of you and your family.
 There is a limit on the total amount of benefit that most people aged 16 to 64 can get. This is called the Benefit Cap (see Chapter 2). 


Weekly personal allowances 2018-19

Single person — IS, ESA, JSA
aged 25 or over £73.10
aged 18-24 £57.90
Single person — HB
aged 25 or over £73.10
under 25 £57.90
Lone parent — IS, JSA
aged 18 or over £73.10
aged under 18 £57.90
Lone parent — HB, ESA
aged 18 or over £73.10
aged under 18 £57.90
Couple — HB
at least one aged 18 or over £114.85
both under 18 (HB only) £87.50
Couple — IS, ESA & JSA
both aged 18 or over £114.85
one under 18, one 25 or over £73.10
one under 18, one under 25 £57.90
both under 18 £57.90
Pensioners — HB
single and reached qualifying age for Pension Credit but under 65 £163.00
couple one or both reached qualifying age for Pension Credit but both under 65 £248.80
single/lone parent 65 and over £176.40
couple one or both 65 or over £263.80

Weekly premiums to be added

Pensioner
single £89.90
couple £133.95
Disability (or sick for a continuous period of 364 days or 196 days if terminally ill)
single £33.55
couple £47.80
Enhanced disability
single £16.40
couple £23.55
disabled child £25.48
Severe disability
single £64.30
couple (one qualifies) £64.30
couple (both qualify) £128.60
disabled child £62.86
carer £36.00

Universal Credit monthly rates 2018-2019


Single person
under 25 £251.77

25 or over £317.82

Couple

both under 25 £395.20

one or both 25 or over £498.89

Child element
first child £277.08
second/subsequent child (support limited to two children from April 2017) £231.67
Disabled child additions

Lower rate addition £126.11
Higher rate addition £383.86
Work Capability Element
Limited Capability for Work £126.11
Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity £328.32
Carer element
Carer amount £156.45
Childcare costs element
Maximum for one child £646.35
Maximum for two or more children £1,108.04

Universal Credit work allowances 2018-2019

Higher work allowance (no housing amount)
One or more dependent children or limited capability for work £397.00
Lower work allowance
One or more dependent children or limited capability for work £192.00

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