Some benfit changes are coming in 2010 and i shall keep you updated of changes in this post now and throughout 2010

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Our Irish members can also use our new website for Ireland which is

From 6 April 2010, carers and parents will be able to build up qualifying years through new weekly credits for the basic State Pension and additional State Pension. If you are a carer or parent, you will get a credit for each week in which any of the following apply:

you are caring for at least 20 hours a week for someone who gets Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance or the middle-rate or highest-rate care component of Disability Living Allowance, or the need for care has been certified
you get Child Benefit for children aged under 12
you are an approved foster carer
Some of the detail around this change is subject to further parliamentary approval.

There will be no limit to the number of years in which you can get credits, as long as you meet the qualifying rules.

If you reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2010, complete tax years of Home Responsibilities Protection you have already built up before 2010 will be converted into qualifying years up to a maximum of 22 years.

These qualifying years will also count towards bereavement benefits.

April 2010
The child maintenance disregard in income support, income-based employment support allowance and income-related JSA will rise from £20 to £40 per week.

Increase of the weekly rate of child benefit for the eldest child to £20

Cost of prescriptions in Scotland reduced to £3.
Cost of prepayment certificates in Scotland goes down from £38 to £28