The National Minimum Wage
There are different levels of NMW, depending on your age and
whether you are an apprentice. The current rates are:
· £6.08 - the main rate for workers aged 21 and over
· £4.98 - the 18-20 rate
· £3.68 - the 16-17 rate for workers above school leaving age
but under 18
· £2.60 – is the rate for apprentices under 19. Those over 19
will get this rate for the first year of their apprenticeship but
then must be paid the National Minimum Wage rate that applies to
their age.
From October 2012 the rate for workers aged 21 or over will rise
to £6.19 per hour and the apprentice rate to £2.65 per hour.
The other rates will remain unchanged.
National minimum Wage helpline tel:- 0845 6000
678. Also see their
website.
Child Benefit, Child Tax Credits &
Benefits
Child Benefit is given to a person responsible
for a child (normally a parent). If the child is over 16, and
they're in full-time education or approved training, payments will
still be made until they reach 20, as long as they were accepted
onto the course before their 19th birthday.
Extended Child Benefit can be paid after the
child leaves full-time education or approved training, but will end
after 20 weeks, or when the child reaches the age of 18. To
get extended child benefit they must register for work with
Connexions. Extended child benefit can also be paid for young
people under 18 who have joined the armed forces and are awaiting
placement.
For further information see the Revenue
& Customs website or ring the Child Benefit
Helpline tel:- 0845 402 1444.
Tax credits are paid to a person responsible
for a young person who normally lives with them. Child tax
credits end once the young person gets a job. If on a low
income they may also qualify for Working Tax Credits. See the
Revenue & Customs website
Most 16-17 year olds cannot claim benefits in
their own right unless there are exceptional circumstances of
severe hardship.
Health in Pregnancy Grant
From April 2009, you can claim a one-off,
tax-free payment from H M Revenue & Customs of £190 if you're a
mum-to-be who's at least 25 weeks pregnant. The payment is called
Health in Pregnancy Grant and is to help you prepare for the birth
of your baby. Your due date needs to be on or after 6 April
2009 for you to make a claim. To find out how you can claim
and whether you are eligible visit
this site.
Disability Living
Allowance
This is a tax-free benefit if you need help
with personal care or have walking difficulties because you are
disabled. If you do start to get DLA, it might increase the
amount of other benefits or credits that you're entitled to.
Download the leaflet on Disability Living Allowance from this
government website.