calculation examples.

Hi everyone,

I do apologise if I am going off the beaten track. Does anyone know where I can download or purchase (cheaply) easy to follow benefit calculation examples? I have looked at all the calculators such as Ferret and the quick calc set-up, but what I would like is actual written examples. I have tried numerous books and print-outs, but I just cannot seem to get my head round them. The nearest is the Big Book of Benefits and Mental Health. This is excellent, but I am still struggling. I would just like to be able to understand this complex system a little more. I hate it when print-outs are sent from the DWP and they mean basically gobbledigook.
Please help, just nine or ten easy to follow examples would be great.
Regards.

HughJulie wrote:

Hi everyone,

I do apologise if I am going off the beaten track. Does anyone know where I can download or purchase (cheaply) easy to follow benefit calculation examples? I have looked at all the calculators such as Ferret and the quick calc set-up, but what I would like is actual written examples. I have tried numerous books and print-outs, but I just cannot seem to get my head round them. The nearest is the Big Book of Benefits and Mental Health. This is excellent, but I am still struggling. I would just like to be able to understand this complex system a little more. I hate it when print-outs are sent from the DWP and they mean basically gobbledigook.
Please help, just nine or ten easy to follow examples would be great.
Regards.

If you are looking for a straightforward benefits checker, then the turn2us entitledto benefits calculator can be accessed HERE.

Actual benefit calculation examples will be very few and far between, as there as so many permutations with individual circumstances that it would be impossible to cover every eventuality, not to mention the inaccuracies that may occur with such calculations.

All benefits payments are basically governed by a set of rules (complicated rules).
If you fit a certain set of circumstances you WILL receive a certain amount of benefits .(subject to evidence).
To understand more than your own circumstances requires knowledge of the rules ...
A very good rule book available is the CPAG Welfare Benefits and Tax Credit's handbook (although it is 1600 pages and goes into great depth without too many examples)).

A guide I've just found on-line that gives a good general overview and explains the concepts of applicable amounts and premiums (which are the core of means tested benefits) is
Here

By flicking through the site i am quite impressed with Newcastle council Wefare rights .
Rich

Hi,

When I started as a benefits adviser - quite a long time ago - you could do a benefits calculation on two sides of A4 in the most complex cases and just one side in mot cases. Now it would be a brave person who didn't use computer software.

Steve

At the CAB, they do forms on their computer system that you can either fill in on the computer or print off and fill in by hand. Obviously, you have to know which forms you need in the first place, so they're not suitable for people that don't know what benefits and premiums they're looking for. I think if you printed them all off, you'd have to cut down a whole tree for all the paper.

I've got my own copy of the CPAG book, but again you have to have an idea what you're looking for or you miss stuff.

If only I didn't think it was going to be accompanied by cuts, I'd welcome the government's suggestion of simplifying benefits.

I know exactly what you both mean , Steve and Survivor .

I still do mine by hand unless it's a better off calculation involving Tax credits and HB and CTB and then throw in the worst of all a Child support calc and yes you have a tree .

In honesty the original poster is correct in that the best way to learn is by example and doing calc after calc by hand for every conceivable outcome /situation .
Then by the time you have all the premiums , applicable amounts , dependency increases , components in your head they will go and change them all

Unfortunately i don't know where you could get this other than CAB or paying for a specialist course .
Incidentally CPAG book is very cheap for those on benefits ..

Rich