IS20 - A guide to Income Support

Other social security benefits you may get

The Social Fund

The Social Fund helps people with exceptional expenses which are difficult to pay for out of regular income. You may be able to get a Sure Start Maternity Grant from the Social Fund to help with the costs arising from the arrival of a new baby, if you are getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Pension Credit (or payment on account of one of these), or Working Tax Credit where a disability or severe disability element is included in the award, or Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element. For details ask your Jobcentre Plus office or social security office for SF100 (Sure Start) claim pack.

You may be able to get a Funeral Payment from the Social Fund to help pay for funeral expenses, if you are responsible for arranging the funeral and are getting Income Support, income-based JSA, Pension Credit (or payment on account of one of these), or Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, Working Tax Credit where a disability or severe disability element is included in the award, or Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element.

Get SF200 Funeral Payment claim pack from your Jobcentre Plus office or social security office. Leaflets with general information on help when someone dies are available from Jobcentre Plus offices, social security offices and registrars. In England and Wales see D49 What to do after a death in England and Wales. In Scotland see D49S What to do after a death in Scotland (Scottish Office Leaflet) plus D49S Social security supplement. You may get a Cold Weather Payment from the Social Fund if:

• you or your partner are getting Pension Credit
• or you are getting extra money on your Income Support or income-based JSA because:
  • you or your partner are aged 60 or over
  • you have a child under 5
  • you or someone in your immediate family are disabled

These are payments to assist with the extra cost of heating your home during periods of very cold weather. You will be paid automatically if you are entitled. You do not need to make a claim.

Winter Fuel Payments

These are one-off payments to help towards winter fuel bills. They are paid from November each year to eligible households that includes someone who is aged 60 or over during the qualifying week in September. If the household includes someone aged 80 or over, an extra payment will be made. The qualifying week for winter 2006/07 is 18-24 September 2006.You may get a Winter Fuel Payment even if you are not getting any other benefits.

If you have received a Winter Fuel Payment before or you are getting a social security benefit in the qualifying week, excluding Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit and Child Benefit you will not usually need to claim.

If you have not qualified for Winter Fuel Payment before, you may have to claim, claims must be received by 30th March 2007.

For more details see leaflet WFP1 Winter Fuel Payments or phone the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 08459 15 15 15. (A service for text-phone users is available on 0845 601 5613.)

You may be able to get a Community Care Grant from the Social Fund if you are getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Pension Credit (or payment on account of one of these). Community Care Grants are given primarily to help people in vulnerable groups lead independent lives in the community.

You may be able to get a Budgeting Loan from the Social Fund if you have been getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit (or payment on account of one of these) or a combination of these benefits for the last 26 weeks. These interest-free loans are made to help people spread the payment for intermittent expenses over a longer period.

You may be able to get a Crisis Loan from the Social Fund for living expenses or something which you need urgently. You may be able to get a Crisis Loan whether or not you are getting a social security benefit. These loans are interest-free and are to help people who cannot meet their immediate short-term needs in an emergency or following a disaster. For details of Community Care Grants, Budgeting Loans and Crisis Loans contact your Jobcentre Plus office or social security office.

You can find more information on the Social Fund in guide SB16 A guide to the Social Fund.

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