Moneymanual - Single Parents 
Moneymanual - Thinking about Money
Dealing With Personal Debt
Money Manual for StudentsStep 4 - Maximise income
Be sure that you have included everything, and then consider if you can obtain any additional income. Possibilities might be:- Job Seekers Allowance - if you are unemployed or have been made redundant.
- Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit - if you have children or if you are working but on a low income.
- Income Support - is available to people on low incomes and who meet certain criteria relating to work, sickness, age, savings etc. Check with your local Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) whether you are entitled to this.
- Incapacity or disablement benefits, including mobility or attendance allowance.
- Income Tax - check your code, particularly if your circumstances have changed, as you may be entitled to a rebate.
- Maintenance - are you entitled to this? Contact the Child Support Agency.
- Housing Benefit and Council Tax relief. Your local council can advise on eligibility for these.
- What about part-time work or taking in a lodger?
- Can grown-up children or non-dependants contribute towards the household expenses?
Seek help from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), your local council, Inland Revenue or one of the helplines listed in the INTRODUCTION if you are not sure of your entitlement.
Income maximisation is a very important part of the debt resolution process and creditors will want to be reassured that you have considered all the options.