WorkwaysPromoting mental health through learning and work

 

The Maze

Tread carefully, it's easy to get lost... but here are some useful links to help you explore the world of legal advice, state benefits, Tax Credits, student loans and grants and government-funded programmes for people who are not in employment. This page was last updated on 23 April 2010 - we are not responsible for the content of external sites.

Support from Jobcentre Plus

Jobcentre Plus offers a wide range of support for people claiming benefits. The Customer Journey summarises the range of support available from their advisors (it was written with advisors in mind but does provide useful information for anyone).

State Benefits & Tax Credits

Depending on where you live it is now possible to make new claims for some state benefits (e.g. Jobseekers Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Employment & Support Allowance, Income Support online. Click here for a link to the Dept for Work & Pensions e-service.

The Directgov website provides online benefits advice and other general information about benefits and financial support

Click here to go to a range of downloadable leaflets from Jobcentre Plus and Dept for Work & Pensions  on benefits (all in Adobe Reader format - free software from www.abobe.com)

These links will take you to some general guidelines - if you need specific advice about your personal situation, entitlement and claim contact your nearest Jobcentre Plus office (unless shown below)

Benefit calculator - a free, anonymous facility  to look at some of  the benefits you might be entitled to

Council Tax  Benefit  - for Exeter residents, dealt with by Exeter City Council

Disability Living Allowance

Employment & Support Allowance - including guidance on Permitted Work Rules

Housing Benefit - for Exeter residents, dealt with by Exeter City Council

Incapacity Benefit - including guidance on Permitted Work Rules

Income Support

Jobseeker's Allowance

Sick and unable to work

Social Fund

Tax Credits - dealt with by the Inland Revenue

If you think a decision about benefits is wrong click on this entry at Direct.Gov for more information

The Exeter Citizens Advice Bureau offer advice and information and Devon Welfare Rights Unit may also be able to assist.

Information about lots of other benefits is also on the Lisson Grove Benefits Program

National Minimum Wage
 
From 1.10.09, the National Minimum Wage rates are as follows:
• Adult rate (aged 22 and over) = £5.80
• Development rate (18 - 21 years) = £4.83
• New Rate for 16-17 year olds = £3.57
 

Student Loans & Grants

Information on financial support for courses at Exeter College is available from Student Welfare.

Family Action have a searchable online database of charitable trusts who offer educational grants.

Legal & Other Advice

As well as the Citizens Advice Bureau, legal advice is available through the Community Legal Service who carry details of local solicitors, law centres, other advice outlets and a range of organisations and agencies. and the CLS fund (what was Legal Aid).

The Disability Discrimination Act also carries valuable protection - follow this link for some suggestions on what may constitute 'reasonable adjustments'. The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) changed on 1 October 2004 and there's lots of very helpful information on the Equality & Human Rights Commission's website.

Both ACAS and the Health & Safety Executive have produced valuable resources about stress at work, health and employment and related legislation and good practice.

Although not updated for a while, www.hyperguide.co.uk/mha/  provides a good guide to the Mental Health Act 1983.

The subject of criminal records and what constitutes a 'spent conviction' can also be a cause for concern for some. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act  provides useful guidance.

Also visit www.direct.gov.uk  for information on a wide range of topics.

Promoting mental health through learning and work