Benefits: Your questions

BBC Radio 4's Money Box Live Wednesday, 8 April 2009 at 1502 BST Programme transcript (18 pages)

On Wednesday's Money Box Live, Paul Lewis took your questions on benefits and put them to a panel of expert guests.

Between 6 April 2009 and March 2011, the way most work-age benefits are paid is changing.

Claimants will be paid fortnightly in arrears, on a day which is linked to their National Insurance number. Some customers will be offered financial assistance to help them adjust.

You may be wondering if your benefits will be affected and if so, how and when.

Or perhaps your financial circumstances are changing and you are considering making a claim for the first time.

What benefits are available and what are the rules regarding savings and income?

If you live in Northern Ireland you may entitled to a new £150 fuel payment.

And if you have responsibility for caring you may have a question about help and support.

Whatever your concern, our panel of experts were here to give you advice.

Paul was joined by:

• Eddy Graham, welfare rights worker, Child Poverty Action Group
• Sally West, income policy officer, Age Concern and Help The Aged
• Jean French, Carers UK

Producer: Lesley McAlpine
Presenter: Paul Lewis

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