Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a type of financial support for people of working age who are looking for work or on a low income.
Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit helps people on a low income who are renting their homes to pay their rent.
Council Tax Reduction
Council Tax Reduction supports households on low incomes to pay their Council Tax.
Tax Credits
Tax credits (external link) are payments from the government. Universal Credit is replacing Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. You can make a claim for Child Tax Credit if you are already receiving Working Tax Credit. Similarly, you can make a claim for Working Tax Credit if you are already receiving Child Tax Credit. You can apply for Universal Credit if you do not receive either of these benefits.
You may be able to get Pension Credit (external link) if you or your partner are state pension age or over.
Job Seekers Allowance
Job Seeker’s Allowance (external link) will help you financially while you look for work. You usually have to be over 18 and looking for work in addition to meeting other rules for eligibility. You cannot apply for income-based job seekers allowance anymore, but you may get support through Universal Credit.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit (external link) is an income related benefit designed to help with living costs if you are over State Pension age and on a low income.It can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings, and own your own home.. It is separate from your State Pension and is made up of two parts:
- Guarantee Credit - Tops up your weekly income
- Savings Credit - An extra payment for people who have saved some money towards their retirement, e.g. a pension.
The government has made available an online Pension Credit calculator (external link), which you can use to check how much you may be eligible to claim.
You don’t pay tax on Pension Credit.
Incapacity Benefit
Incapacity Benefit (external link) has been replaced by Employment Support Allowance (ESA) - Jobcentre Plus will review your Incapacity Benefit claim to see if you're capable of work or eligible for ESA. ESA is only for new claims.
Employment Support Allowance
If you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work you may be able to apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) (external link). ESA offers you:
- Financial support to help with your living costs if you are unable to work
- Support to get back into work if you’re able to.
You can apply for ESA if you're employed, self-employed or unemployed.
Personal Independence Payments
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (external link) helps with some of the extra costs caused by long-term ill-health or a disability if you’re aged 16 to 64.
There are two parts to PIP:
- A daily living part – if you need help with everyday tasks
- A mobility part – if you need help with getting around.
The rate you get depends on how your condition affects you, not the condition itself. You’ll need an assessment to work out the level of help you get. Your award will be regularly reassessed to make sure you’re getting the right support.
Disability Living Allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) (external link) is being replaced by other benefits and is no longer available for over 16s. New claims for DLA can only be made if you’re claiming for a child under 16 - this is known as DLA for children. Anyone over 16 and has not yet reached State Pension age must apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Anyone State Pension age or older and does not get DLA should apply for Attendance Allowance instead of DLA.
Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance (external link) helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to look after you. It’s paid at two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability. You could get extra Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction if you get Attendance Allowance.
You do not need to have someone caring for you in order to claim.
Child Benefit
Child Benefit is a payment that you can claim for your child. It is usually paid every four weeks but can sometimes be paid weekly. There are separate rates payable for each child. The payment can be claimed by anyone who qualifies, whatever their income or savings.
Maternity Allowance
Maternity Allowance (external link) is a payment you can get when you take time off to have a baby. The amount you can get depends on your eligibility. You can claim as soon as you’ve been pregnant for 26 weeks. Payments can start 11 weeks before your baby is due and the day after the baby is born.
Benefit for 16 and 17 year olds
16 and 17 year olds (external link) may be able to claim certain benefits if you have a health condition or disability, are expecting a baby, bringing up children or caring for another adult who gets health or disability related benefit.
Need help?
If you have any questions about benefits please contact us.