Benefits checker
To find out what benefits you may be entitled to please visit Gov.uk
Check benefits and financial support you can get - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Council Tax
Council Tax is one of the biggest monthly bills for all households.
There are lots of schemes available to help ease this particular pressure, single occupancy reduction, mental or physical disability support, carers and low-income households.
Find out if you could be paying less Council Tax by applying for a discount, disregard or an exemption. www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/en/resident/council-tax/
You can also find out about Council Tax Online where you log in or see your Council Tax Online www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/en/resident/council-tax/council-tax-online,
Council Tax Reduction
If you are on a low income or receiving certain benefits and are liable to pay council tax, you may be eligible for Council Tax Reduction. Please click here to find out more www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/en/resident/benefits-council-tax-reduction-dhp/benefits-online
Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you are unemployed, on a low income or claiming Benefits. It is being replaced by Universal Credit.
You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:
- You have reached State Pension age
- You are living in supported, sheltered or temporary Housing
Please click here to find out more www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/en/resident/benefits-council-tax-reduction-dhp/make-a-claim-for-housing-benefit
Discretionary Housing Payment
If you are receiving Housing Benefit or the Housing Element of Universal Credit, but are finding it hard to pay your rent, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)
To find out more and check if you may be eligible for support, please visit www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/en/resident/benefits-council-tax-reduction-dhp/discretionary-housing-payments
Free School Meals
Universal Free School Meals
All Primary school pupils from Reception (including full-time Nursery children) in Blaenau Gwent are now entitled to a Free School Meal.
Key stage 2 – Key stage 4:
Your child may be able to get free school meals if you receive any of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Child Tax Credit (with an annual income less than £16,190)
- Guarantee element of Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit with net household income of less than £7,400 (£616.67 monthly)
Families who receive Working Tax Credit are not entitled to free school meals.
To find out more and to apply visit www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/en/resident/benefits-council-tax-reduction-dhp/free-school-meals
School Uniform Grant
Learners currently eligible for free school meals can apply for The School Essentials Grant of £125 per learner, and £200 for those learners entering year 7, recognising the increased costs associated with starting secondary school.
Pupils who receive Free School Meals due to transitional protection arrangements or receive Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) only and not eFSM based on income/benefit related criteria do not qualify for this funding.
From January 2022 all school years are eligible.
All looked after children qualify for the grant, whether they receive free school meals or not.
Families are only entitled to claim once per child, per school year.
The scheme for the 2023/24 academic year will begin on 1st July 2023 and end on 31st May 2024
For further details please visit www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/en/resident/schools-learning/the-school-essentials-grant