Stage 1: Income – Money Coming In

Add up the income for your household. Include the following:

• Take-Home Pay –
  Wages or salary after deductions. Do not include overtime if it’s not regular
   
• Social Security Benefits or Tax Credits –
  Any benefit, including Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit.
   
• Contributions from Other People Who Live in your Home –
  such as grown up children or elderly relatives, who can help towards your household expenses. These people are called Non-Dependants. Try and make sure that they pay enough towards the household expenses.
   
• Need Extra Money? –
  If you get low wages you may be entitled to benefits such as Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.