The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

The Department of Work and Pensions is responsible for the Government's welfare reform agenda. Its aim is to promote opportunity and independence for all and deliver support and advice through a modern network of services. These services are available to people of working age, employers, pensioners, families and children and disabled people.

Assistance includes benefits like Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support, Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance.

The DWP website provides information on the services and benefits that are available.

Tax Credits

Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit are part of the Government's programme for tackling poverty and making work pay.

9 out of 10 families with children are entitled to Tax Credits. But you don't need to have children to qualify.

Tax Credits are administered by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.
Visit Tax Credits online for more information regarding qualifiying and applying for Tax Credits.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit is an entitlement for people aged 60 and above. This could mean extra money for you every week. It guarantees everyone aged 60 and over an income of at least:

• £124.05 a week if you are single; or
• £189.35 a week if you have a partner.

For the first time, people aged 65 and over will be rewarded for some of their savings and income they have for their retirement. In the past, those who had managed to save a little were no better off than those who had not saved at all.

Pension Credit will change this by giving new money to those who have saved - up to:

• £19.71 if you are single; or
• £26.13 a week if you have a partner

The person who applies for Pension Credit must be at least 60; it does not matter if their partner is under 60. We use 'partner' to mean your husband or wife, or a person you live with as if you are married to them.

Pension Credit is administered by the Pension Service which is part of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). For more information about Pension Credit, including details of how to apply, the Pension Service website will answer your questions.