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Benefit rates

From April 2008 new rates of benefits and tax credits come into effect. Most of the new rates are effective from week commencing 7th April 2008
The new rates are shown below and can be viewed by scrolling down the page or by selecting the first letter of the benefit in the alphabetical list and then selecting the appropriate benefit.
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

Attendance Allowance

Rate 2007/2008 2008/2009
Higher 64.50 67.00
Lower 43.15 44.85

Bereavement Allowance

Rate 2007/2008 2008/2009
standard 87.30 90.70
Age related 2007/2008 2008/2009
age 54 81.19 84.35
age 53 75.08 78.00
age 52 68.97 71.65
age 51 62.86 65.30
age 50 56.75 58.96
age 49 50.63 52.61
age 48 44.52 46.26
age 47 38.41 39.91
age 46 32.30 33.56
age 45 26.19 27.21

Bereavement Payment

  2006/2007 2007/2008
Lump sum 2000.00 2000.00

Carers Allowance

Type 2007/2008 2008/2009
Carers Allowance 48.65 50.55
Carers Allowance - adult dependant 29.05 30.20

Child Benefit

Child Benefit is administered by the Inland Revenue. Full details can be obtained by visiting http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/index.htm External website: opens in a new window

Child Dependancy increases

Benefits 2007/2008 2008/2009
State retirement pension, widowed mothers allowance, widowed parents allowance, short-term incapacity benefit at the higher rate & long term incapacity benefit, carers allowance, severe disablement allowance, higher rate industrial death benefit, unemployability supplement and short-term incapacity benefit if beneficiary over pension age. 11.35 11.35

Constant Attendance Allowance

Rate 2007/2008 2008/2009
For people receiving 100% disablement pension    
Exceptional rate 105.40 109.60
Intermediate rate 79.05 82.20
Normal maximum 52.70 54.80
part-time rate 26.35 27.40

Disability Living Allowance

Rate 2007/2008 2008/2009
Care component - high rate 64.50 67.00
Care component - middle rate 43.15 44.85
Care component - low rate 17.10 17.75
Mobility component - high rate 45.00 46.75
Mobility component - low rate 17.10 17.75

Housing Benefit - Personal Allowances

Personal allowances 2007/2008 2008/2009
Single - aged less than 25 46.85 47.95
Single - aged over 25 59.15 60.50
Lone parent - aged less than 18 46.85 47.95
Lone parent - aged over 18 59.15 60.50
Couple - both aged less than 18 70.70 72.35
Couple - at leastone aged more than 18 92.80 94.95

Housing Benefit - Premiums

Premiums 2007/2008 2008/2009
Family premium 16.43 16.75
Family (lone parent rate) 22.20 22.20
Pensioner premium - single 59.90 63.55
Pensioner premium - couple 88.90 94.40
Pensioner premium (enhanced) - single 59.90 63.55
Pensioner premium (enhanced) - couple 88.90 94.40
Pensioner premium (higher) - single 59.90 63.55
Pensioner premium (higher) - couple 88.90 94.40
Disability Premium - single 25.25 25.85
Disability Premium - couple 36.00 36.85
Enhanced Disability Premium - couple 17.75 18.15
Enhanced Disability Premium - single / lone parent 12.30 12.60
Enhanced Disability Premium - child   18.76 19.60
Severe Disability Premium - single 48.45 50.35
Severe Disability Premium - couple (one qualifies) 48.45 50.35
Severe Disability Premium - couple (both qualify) 96.90 100.70
Disabled Child Premiums 46.69 48.72
Carer Premium 27.15 27.75
Bereavement Premium 26.80 N/A

Housing Benefit non dependant deductions - rent

Rent - thresholds 2007 Deductions
On IS or JSA (IB) and aged under 25 Nil
On IS or JSA (IB) and aged 25 or over 7.40
Aged 18 or over and not in remunerative work 7.40
Aged 18 or over & in remunerative work gross income less than £116 7.40
Aged 18 or over & in remunerative work gross income £116 - £171.99 17.00
Aged 18 or over & in remunerative work gross income £172 - £222.99 23.35
Aged 18 or over & in remunerative work gross income £223 - £295.99 38.20
Aged 18 or over & in remunerative work gross income £296 - £368.99 43.50
Aged 18 or over & in remunerative work gross income £369 or more 47.75

Housing Benefit non dependant deductions - rates

Rates - thresholds 2007 Deductions
Aged 18 or over & in remunerative work gross income less than £172 2.30
Aged 18 or over & in remunerative work gross income £172 - £295.99 4.60
Aged 18 or over & in remunerative work gross income £296 - £368.99 5.80
Aged 18 or over & in remunerative work gross income £369 or more 6.95
Others aged 18 and over 2.30

Incapacity Benefit

Standard rate - Long-term 2007/2008 2008/2009
Single person 81.35 84.50
Spouse of other adult dependant (where appropriate) 48.65 50.55
Short term (under pension age) 2007/2008 2008/2009
Single person lower rate 61.35 63.75
Single person higher rate 72.55 75.40
Spouse or other adult dependant (where approriate) 37.90 39.40
Short term (over pension age)   2007/2008 2008/2009
Single person lower rate 78.05 81.10
Single person higher rate 81.35 84.50
Spouse or other adult dependant                                    46.80 48.65
Increase of Long-term Incapacity Benefit for age 2007/2008 2008/2009
Higher rate   17.10 17.75
Lower rate 8.55 8.90
Invalidity Allowance (Transitional)                             2007/2008 2008/2009
Higher rate 17.10 17.75
Middle rate 11.00 11.40
Lower rate 5.50 5.70

Income Support main rates

Personal allowances 2007/2008 2008/2009
Single - aged under 18 - usual rate 35.65 47.95
Single - aged less than 25 46.85 47.95
Single - aged under 18 - higher rate payable
in specific circumstances
46.85 47.95
Single - aged not less than 25 59.15 60.50
Lone Parent - aged under 18 - usual rate 35.65 47.95
Lone Parent - aged under 18 - higher rate payable
in specific circumstances
46.85 47.95
Lone Parent - aged 18 or over 59.15 60.50
Couple - both aged under 18 35.65 47.95
Couple - both aged under 18, one disabled 46.85 47.95
Couple - one aged under 18, one aged 18 to 24 46.85 47.95
Couple - one aged under 18, one aged 25 or over 59.15 60.50
Couple - both aged under 18, with responsibility for a child 70.70 72.35
Couple - both aged 18 or over 92.80 94.95
Dependent Children - from birth to day before 20th birthday 47.45 52.59

Income Support Premiums

Premiums 2007/2008 2008/2009
Family Premium   16.43 16.75
Family Premium (Lone Parent rate) protected for certain claimants 16.43 16.75
Pensioner Premium - couple 88.90 94.40
Enhanced Pensioner Premium - couple 88.90 94.40
Higher Pensioner Premium - couple 88.90 94.40
Disability Premium - single 25.25 25.85
Disbility Premium - couple   36.00 36.85
Enhanced Disability Premium - couple 17.75 18.15
Enhanced Disability Premium - Single people/Lone Parent 12.30 12.60
Enhanced Disability Premium - Child 18.76 19.60
Severe Disability Premium - single 48.45 50.35
Severe Disability Premium - couple - one qualifies 48.45 50.35
Severe Disabiltiy Premium - couple - both qualify 96.90 100.70
Disabled Child Premium 46.69 48.72
Carer Premium 27.15 27.75
   

Industrial Injuries Benefits

Rates 2007/2008 2008/2009
Disablement Benefit (100% assessment) 131.70 136.80
Unemployability Supplement 81.35 84.50
Reduced Earnings Allowance (maximum) 52.68 54.72
Industrial Death Benefit Widows Pension - higher rate 87.30 90.70
Industrial Death Benefit Widows Pension - lower rate 26.19 27.21
Widower's pension 87.30 90.70

Jobseeker's Allowance Contributory

Contribution-Based main rates 2007/2008 2008/2009
Personal allowances - aged under 18 35.65 47.95
Personal allowances - aged 18 to 24 46.85 47.95
Personal allowances aged 25 or over 59.15 60.50

Jobseeker's Allowance Income-Based - Personal Allowances

Income-Based - Personal allowances 2007/2008 2008/2009
Single - aged under 18 35.65 47.95
Single - aged 18 to 24 46.85 47.95
Single - aged 25 or over 59.15 60.50
Lone Parent - aged under 18 - usual rate 35.65 47.95
Lone Parent - aged under 18 - higher rate payable in specific circumstances 46.85 47.95
Lone Parent - aged 18 or over 59.15 60.50
Couple - both aged under 18   35.65 47.95
Couple - both aged under 18 - one disabled   46.85 47.95
Couple - one aged under 18, one aged 18 to 24 46.85 47.95
Couple - one aged under 18, one aged 25 or over 59.15 60.50
Couple - both aged under 18, with responsibility for a child 70.70 72.35
Couple - both aged 18 or over 92.80 94.95
Child or Young Person from birth to the first Monday in the September following the 16th birthday   47.45 52.59
Child or Young Person from the first Monday in the September following the 16th birthday 47.45 52.59

Jobseeker's Allowance Income-Based  - Premiums

Premiums 2007/2008 2008/2009
Family Premium 16.43 16.75
Family Premium (Lone Parent rate) protected for certain claimants 16.43 16.75
Pensioner Premium - single 59.90 63.55
Pensioner Premium - couple 88.90 94.40
Enhanced Pensioner Premium - couple 88.90 94.40
Higher Pensioner Premium - single 59.90 63.55
Higher Pensioner Premium - couple 88.90 94.40
Disability Premium - single 25.25 25.85
Disbility Premium - couple 36.00 36.85
Enhanced Disability Premium - couple 17.75 18.15
Enhanced Disability Premium - Single people/Lone Parent 12.30 12.60
Enhanced Disability Premium - Child 18.76 19.60
Severe Disability Premium - single 48.45 50.35
Severe Disability Premium - couple - one qualifies 48.45 50.35
Severe Disabiltiy Premium - couple - both qualify 96.90 100.70
Disabled Child Premium 46.69 48.72
Carer Premium 27.15 27.75

Maternity Allowance

  2007/2008 2008/2009
Standard Rate 112.75 117.18

Pension Credit

Standard minimum guarantee 2007/2008 2008/2009
single 119.05 124.05
couple 181.70 189.35
Additional amount for severe disability 2007/2008 2008/2009
single 48.45 50.35
couple (one qualifies) 48.45 50.35
couple (both qualify) 96.90 100.70
Additional amount for carers 27.15 27.75
Savings credit 2007/2008 2008/2009
threshold - single 87.30 91.20
threshold - couple   139.60 145.80
maximum - single 19.05 19.71
maximum - couple 25.26 26.13
Capital 2007/2008 2008/2009
Amount disregard 6000.00 6000.00
Amount disregard - care homes 10000.00 10000.00
Deemed income £1 for each complete £500 or part thereof in excess of above amounts
Housing costs - Deduction for non-dependents 2008/2009
aged 18 or over, not in work or in work and in receipt of Pension Credit 7.40
Aged 18 or over & in remunerative work gross income less than £116 7.40
Aged 18 or over & in remunerative work gross income £116 - £171.99 17.00
Aged 18 or over & in remunerative work gross income £172 - £222.99 23.35
Aged 18 or over & in remunerative work gross income £223 - £295.99 38.20
Aged 18 or over & in remunerative work gross income £296 - £368.99 43.50
Aged 18 or over & in remunerative work gross income £369 or more 47.75

Severe Disablement Allowance

Rates 2007/2008 2008/2009
Basic Rate - single person 49.15 51.05
Basic Rate - spouse or other adult dependant 29.25 30.40
Age additions - higher rate 17.10 17.75
Age additions - middle rate 11.00 11.40
Age additions - lower rate 5.50 5.70

State Retirement Pension

Standard rates 2007/2008 2008/2009
Single Person 87.30 90.70
Spouse or adult dependant 52.30 54.35
Over 80 age addition 0.25 0.25

Statutory Maternity Pay

Standard rates 2007/2008 2008/2009
Earnings threshold 87.00 90.00
Lower rate 112.75 117.18

Statutory Sick Pay

Standard rates 2007/2008 2008/2009
Earnings threshold 87.00 90.00
Standard rate 72.55 75.40

War Disablement Pension

For a full list of rates visit the Veterans Agency website at: www.veteransagency.mod.uk External website: opens in a new window

Widowed Mother's Allowance

Standard Rates 2007/2008 2008/2009
Widowed Mothers Allowance 87.30 90.70

Widows Pension

Standard Rates 2007/2008 2008/2009
Basic rate 87.30 90.70






















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