is my friend on right benifits

[squidgybumbu]

a friend of mine has recently lost her husband she has two small children she is receiving widows parents allowance child tax and child benifit is she entitled to income support as well ive said she isnt but she thinks she is

[factor-fiction]

http://www.debtwatchd...d-to-Article-148.html
There are sites that will calculate entitlements for you

[Smowball]

Yep as factor says, that is a very good link.

[factor-fiction]

I've never used this, and it's not the one I've used before, but have a look at it
http://www.turn2us.or.../benefits_search.aspx

[themas]

The debtwatchdog site will not give the right answer to this - the information there about working family tax credit & childrens tax credit relates to benefits which ended in 2003! I doubt the rest can be relied on, if the site owner hasn't bothered to update this after 9 years.

The answer to the question is that in principle she may be entitled to income support, but her widowed parents allowance will be taken into account as income (apart from £10 per week of it) so it may well mean she has no entitlement in practice. However, she should get a proper benefit check done - go to the local CAB or phone them.

[ojread2]

Is she working?
As a single parent (non working) your money received is made up of a number of benefits, income support, tax credits and child benefit
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/individuals/

You'll find the calculator in this link

[factor-fiction]

You are right about that site, oj.
I wasn't recommending it- I was just showing that there are online calculators available so that the OP could look around- but I agree that it's important to find a site you can trust.
This is the one I was thinking of. It's on the Martin Lewis MSE site so I assume it's reliable
http://www.moneysavin...family/benefits-check
I also agree though that people should also check with CAB who will have expertise in this area

[ojread2]

It's the one I've used before factor, and it's pretty accurate :)

As for citizens advice? we'll have to agree to disagree about the 'expert' bit there. Unless there is a benefits advisor available at some branches, they are no more qualified than you or I :)