What are passported benefits?
Passported benefits are benefits or schemes which some groups of people are entitled to because of their entitlement to certain other benefits or tax credits. Benefits and tax credits which can passport you to other benefits or schemes include:
- Income Support
- Jobseekers Allowance (income-based)
- Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
- Pension Credit (guarantee credit)
- Universal Credit
What can I get?
If you, or your partner, are in receipt of one of the above benefits you will be eligible for:
- Housing Benefit based on your eligible rent
- Child Tax Credit if you have dependent children you receive Child Benefit for.
You will not need to provide proof of any other income or capital while you are entitled to a passported benefit but you must advise the DWP straight away, if your claim for any of the benefits ends.
As well as the above you may also be entitled to:
- help with health costs, including: free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, wigs, fabric supports, eye tests, vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses and help with cost of travel for NHS treatment or referral by a doctor or dentist – see help with health costs for working age people or help with health costs for pension age people
- Housing Grants
- Free School Meals, Healthy Start vouchers, Best Start payment card
- Sure Start maternity grant
- Energy Efficient Grants
- Warm Home Discount
The above schemes are also available to those claiming Child Tax Credit – though some require your household income to be under £16,190 a year if you qualify via the Child Tax Credit route. Those claiming Universal Credit may also qualify for the above schemes, again for some schemes an income limit may apply. Please look up the individual schemes to check the qualifying criteria.
Additional schemes and benefits available
There are additional schemes and benefits which may be available if you are in receipt of income-related ESA, income-based JSA, Income Support or Pension Credit (paid as guarantee credit) or certain rates of Disability Living Allowance.
These additional schemes and benefits are mainly awarded at the discretion of your local council, and can include:
- blue parking badge
- discount leisure pass
- bus pass
- free car tax
- discounted rail card
- reduced taxi fares
