Social Security & Benefits

The UK has a comprehensive social security system, funded from general taxation and from National Insurance (NI) payments. When you start work in the UK, you must obtain an NI number, which will be used as a reference number for the social security system. The number can be obtained from the Department for Work and Pensions (England, Scotland and Wales), or the Department for Social Development (Northern Ireland).

The social security system provides state benefits for those unable to work due to illness or industrial injury, as well as unemployment, maternity, childcare, disability and carer benefits. It also administers retirement pensions. Eligibility for the state retirement pension is currently from age 65 for men and 60 for women, but this is being equalized to 65 for both men and women from 2010 onwards. Most families with dependent children are eligible for Child Tax Credits, while employees who are on low-incomes may qualify for Working Tax Credits. All benefits are means-tested.

All foreign nationals must have a national insurance number to claim benefits. Some EU citizens are entitled to claim as long as they are working or actively seeking work and have an NI number. Citizens from the new EU countries (A8) are not entitled to benefits until they are registered with the government Registration Scheme (Worker Registration Scheme). To register they must have a job. After a year of continuous employment they are be eligible for certain state benefits - child benefits, tax credit, housing benefit and housing. People from other countries must have special work permits and cannot generally claim benefits.

IMPORTANT- When the person for new EU countries (A8) is register as a Self- Employed then they do not have register under WRS.

More information about WRS- UK Border Agency | Worker Registration Scheme

If you require information about benefits use the links below:

Child Benefit: HM Revenue & Customs: Child Benefit: Introduction

Form for Child Benefit: ChildBenefitClaimForm.pdf

Working Tax Credit & Child Tax Credit: Working Tax Credits : Directgov - Working Tax Credit

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/wtc1.pdf

Housing and Council Benefit: DWP - Services and benefits - Housing Benefit

Form for Housing Benefit: housing benefit.pdf