Are Tax Credits / Carer's Allowance "income based state benefits"? 25 September 2022 at 1:27PM in Benefits & tax credits 5 replies 201 views

RedMonty

My local council has a 'Discretionary Energy Rebate' scheme which is only open to people on 'income-based state benefits'. They named some qualifying benefits - Universal credit etc, plus 'others' (unspecified).

I have Carer's Allowance (though my eligibility ends very soon), plus Working Tax Credit / Child Tax Credit.  I've googled and googled, but I have no idea if these are classed as 'income-based state benefits'.

Anyone able to help? 

Thanks

Alice_Holt

CA - no
TC - yes - eligibility (and award) is calculated on household income (but not on savings (as UC is)).

calcotti

Carers Allowance is not a means tested benefit.
Tax Credits are means tested. However it's up to your council to decide which benefits they accept - you'll need to ask them if Tax Credits count.

RedMonty

Alice_Holt said:

CA - no
TC - yes - eligibility (and award) is calculated on household income (but not on savings (as UC is)).

calcotti said:

Carers Allowance is not a means tested benefit.
Tax Credits are means tested. However it's up to your council to decide which benefits they accept - you'll need to ask them if Tax Credits count.

Thanks for your replies! I've sent a query to my council to ask if TC is eligible. 

Slightly surprised CA is not regarded as means tested. From the Govt page on CA, eligibility is only if:

• your earnings are £132 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses

That looks like a means tested benefit to me. 

marcia_

RedMonty said:

Alice_Holt said:

CA - no
TC - yes - eligibility (and award) is calculated on household income (but not on savings (as UC is)).

calcotti said:

Carers Allowance is not a means tested benefit.
Tax Credits are means tested. However it's up to your council to decide which benefits they accept - you'll need to ask them if Tax Credits count.

Thanks for your replies! I've sent a query to my council to ask if TC is eligible. 

Slightly surprised CA is not regarded as means tested. From the Govt page on CA, eligibility is only if:

• your earnings are £132 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses

That looks like a means tested benefit to me. 

 Its not means tested because it doesn't take into account savings or your partner's income as the other benefits do.

calcotti

RedMonty said: Slightly surprised CA is not regarded as means tested. From the Govt page on CA, eligibility is only if:

• your earnings are £132 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses

That looks like a means tested benefit to me. 

A means tested benefit is one which varies depending on your finances. The earnings limit on CA is just a qualifying condition.