Increase Your Income

Benefits

Claiming the benefits and tax credits you are entitled to is one way to increase your income.

There are different forms of support available depending on your individual and family circumstances. For example, whether you are in work or out of work, are of working age or of pension age, have a disability, or if you have children or other caring responsibilities. 

It is important that people receive the support they are entitled to, so it’s worth checking you are claiming what you can.

Benefits Calculator

A benefits calculator can be a good way of checking you are claiming everything you should be.

The following are free to use, and completely anonymous:

• entitledto - for information on income-related benefits, tax credits, contribution-based benefits, council tax reduction, carer’s allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work.
• Turn2us - for information on income-related benefits, tax credits, council tax reduction, carer’s allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours.
• Policy in Practice - for information on income-related benefits, tax credits, contribution-based benefits, council tax reduction, carer’s allowance, Universal Credit, how these are calculated and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours.

Before you get started, it’s a good idea to make sure you know:

• Your total income from any earnings you have
• What your rent is
• Your council tax band
• The cost of your childcare.

Household Support Fund

The Household Support Fund 4 (HSF4) is provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Government to local authorities to support families with children and individuals most in need. The HS4 Fund scheme runs from April 2023 to March 2024.

The Household Support Fund 4 online summer food voucher form is now closed for applications.

How does the scheme work?
Financial support will be provided in the following ways for eligible Derby households:

• Free school meals: Households with children receiving free school meals will be supported during the term breaks. This will continue to be distributed as voucher codes, through schools as part of the HSF4 scheme.
• Food vouchers: Since April 2023, Council have issued £500,000 of food vouchers to over 4700 families in need. This is now closed and will be reopening in late autumn. Until this time neither the Council or partner organisations will be able to accept new applications for support until the new scheme opens. ​​​​​​
• Welcome hubs: The fund also provides financial support for up to 40 local services and organisations across the city to further develop a community led cost of living support network that includes a warm welcome, hot meal, help towards energy cost as well as help accessing other cost of living support. More details will follow shortly.
• Energy support: The fund provide access to financial support for help with energy costs. This support will be available later in the Autumn through the Warm Welcome Hubs across the city.

For more information visit: derby.gov.uk/advice-and-benefits/benefits/household-support-fund

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income, out of work or if you cannot work.

For more information visit: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit

Derby Advice Welfare Team

The Welfare Rights team provide free, confidential and independent advice on welfare benefits for all Derby residents, including:

• Income Support
• Job Seekers Allowance
• Council Tax Benefit
• Pension Credit
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Universal Credit.

Support can also be provided for any residents who appeal decisions and need representation at tribunals.

Email: derby.advice@derbyhomes.org or call 01332 643394.

St James Centre

Direct Health and Advice (DHA)

Jobs and Skills

Moving into employment, changing your job, taking part in training and developing your skills could help you increase your income.

• Derby Jobs Weekly is a newsletter designed for people who are looking for employment. It presents a snapshot of key employment opportunities available to apply for, in and around the Derby area.
• The Derby Employment Hub has been set up to provide one-to-one personal coaching support and advice, to help unemployed people get into work.
• Volunteering can be a great way to develop your skills and experience. If you are interested in volunteering, the Volunteer Centre at Community Action can help. Call 01332 342272 or email volunteer@communityactionderby.org.uk
• The Derby Adult Learning Service offers learning opportunities for adults including employability and vocational skills courses.
• Community Action has a Jobs page on the website, which contains current vacancies at Community Action, as well as jobs in other local voluntary and community organisations.
• Derby City Council also has a Job Vacancies page on their website, containing roles available at the Council.
• The Revive Centre Charity has a Job Club available to residents of Derwent and  Chaddesden, which offers help on the journey towards work with job searching, CV creation, online courses, job applications, interview skills, work experience  and researching apprenticeships.