Details

Now in its sixth edition, this essential guide will bring you a year's worth of key facts, tables figures and guidance on all types of benefits in one convenient and understandable handbook. This new edition takes account of new benefit rates and regulation changes effective from April 2006, including changes brought about by the Civil Partnership Act 2004 which affected the way same sex couples are treated for all benefits and tax credits, plus changes to tax credits, including the problem of overpayments and recovery from claimants. This is an indispensable quick reference handbook for lawyers, advice workers, housing officers, social workers, health visitors, doctors and community workers.

Review:

Fiona Seymour, The Adviser, March & April 2006

This reference book provides a clear overview of the social security system and gives concise information and guidance on entitlement conditions for all social security benefits and tax credits. Chapters dealing with home renovation grants, NHS benefits and community care charges are also included.

The book also contains sections covering common areas eg, assessment of income and capital, the claims and decision-making process and information on overpayment recovery. Helpfully, the full rates of all social security benefits from 2000 to 2006 are included.

This work would be most suited to claimants and those giving generalist advice, as it provides a useful point of reference without delving too deeply into the more complex areas of social security law.