Starting Work - Back to Work ChecklistAs soon as you know when you are starting work you need to visit your Social Security or Jobs & Benefits office and Northern Ireland Housing Executive or Land and Property Services office to see what help you can get in work. The following is a list of things you need to ask about.
At the Social Security or Jobs & Benefits office ask about:
Income Support. Tell them when you are starting work. The Social Security or Jobs & Benefits office will pay you up until the day before you start work.
Note: If the Social Security or Jobs & Benefits office pays some of your costs directly, this will now stop. Ask whether any outstanding payments have yet to be passed over. It is very important that you notify NIE, your landlord etc. to make new arrangements for payment.
Mortgage Interest Run-on. You may be entitled to an extra 4 weeks help with your mortgage or home loan interest payments. after having been on Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based) for 26 weeks.
Working Tax Credit. You may qualify for Working Tax Credit which is a tax credit for working families with children. By providing help towards your everyday living expenses, rent, rates and child care charges, Working Tax Credit is designed to help make work pay. The Social Security or Jobs & Benefits office can help you fill in your application form and will arrange for your application to be dealt with quickly.
Childcare Subsidy. If you are a lone parent participating in New Deal for Lone Parents, you may qualify for help with childcare costs when you start part-time work of less than 16 hours per week.
Help with rent. If you have been getting help with your rent, the Housing Benefit that you received while you were out of work may continue at the same weekly rate for 4 weeks after your job begins. This is called Housing Benefit Extended Payment. After that you can continue to get help with Housing Benefit which is available to people who are working.
Child Maintenance Bonus. Ask for claim form CMB1 to claim any bonus you have built up. You will have received statements every 13 weeks.
HS Treatment. You may be able to claim help on the grounds of low income. Ask at your Social Security or Jobs & Benefits office for further details.
Job Grant. You may be entitled to this tax free payment if you satisfy the qualifying conditions when you move from benefits to work. There are two different rates of Job Grant:
- £100 for single people and couples without children
- £250 for all lone parents and couples with childre
At the Northern Ireland Housing Executive or Land & Property Services office ask about:
Help with your rent and rates. Tell them when you are starting work and that you would like to claim help on income grounds. If you have claimed for the extended payment of Housing Benefit your claim may be dealt with more quickly.
Other things to do:
You may get a grant for secondary school uniform or for maintaining an over-16 year old at school or equivalent. Contact your local Education and Library Board for details.
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