Benefits: your questions

BBC Radio 4's Money Box Live
Monday, 27 October 2008,
at 1502 BST
On Radio 4 and Online

Programme transcript (15 pages)

On Monday's programme, presenter Paul Lewis took your calls and e-mails on benefits and put them to a panel of expert guests.

If you are in receipt of benefits, this Autumn sees a number of changes that may affect you.

If you claim pension credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit, the time for backdating has been reduced.

Incapacity benefit and income support paid on grounds of incapacity will be replaced by employment and support allowance (ESA) for new claimants, from 27 October.

And if you claim income support solely on the grounds of being a lone parent, the benefits you can claim may change from November:

Depending on the age of your youngest child, if you are able to work, you will no longer claim income support, but will claim job seekers allowance instead.

Are you confused by any of the changes?

Perhaps you would like to know how the new employment and support allowance will work.

Maybe you are wondering how the changes will impact on your income.

Or you may want to check what benefits you could be claiming.

Whatever your question, Paul Lewis and experts was here to offer advice.

Paul Lewis was joined by:

• Sally West, Age Concern
• Eddy Graham, Child Poverty Action Group

Presenter: Paul Lewis
Producer: Martin Bedford