Any help for my friend, benefits wise ?

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My friend is a single Mum with a lovely DD who is 16 and in full time education. My friend works and is not especially low paid as she is on 25k.

But my friend has never claimed anything and I am pretty sure she would be entitled to child tax credit and possibly some assistance with rent in the form of housing benefit. Anyone have any idea?

TIA

She can apply and see!

Council tax would give reduction for being a lone parent though. And what about maintenance?

Contact CAB or other welfare advise agency. At the very least get the HB forms, some councils allow you to apply online.

Her ex has never paid maintenance, he abandoned her when she was pregnant and she lived in a womens refuge for a while. He even moved abroad when she tried to claim through the CSA! he is utterly vile. I think CAB sounds like a good idea.

Maybe point her in the direction of EntitledTo as that will give a rough idea but it not 100% accurate. I don't think anything is 100% accurate as CTC rates seem to be made up as they go along... I earn more than your friend but do get some CTC, albeit mainly because my DD needs after-school care.

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are handled by the local council. My local council has a simple calculator online that, again, gives a rough idea as to whether you'll be eligible for anything or not.

All that being said there's no harm in applying for these anyway. If they don't think you're eligible then they'll just send a letter back with "The computer says no" on it.

Point your friend to this link to the Turn2Us Online Benefits Calculator. If she enters her details it will give her a very good idea what is available. If she gets maintenance from a former partner, that isn't included in the calculations.

The new main tax credit helpline number is 0345 300 3900

Thanks for reminding me to ring them!

Ignore my previous link. I cocked that up completely. Cogito has the right one.

She might get a small-ish amount of tax credits on that income with one child. Well worth applying. Not worth applying for housing benefit or council tax benefit though on that income unless her rent is very high.