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A Guide To Benefit Entitlements

In the United Kingdom, millions of pounds in benefits are left unclaimed every year. A staggering amount of people could greatly benefit from this help, yet many are simply unaware of their entitlement.

With this in mind, we have assembled the most significant benefits you could be entitled to. If you meet the detailed criteria, you should certainly state your claim, and receive the support you deserve.

Let’s get started with the most important factor – how you can find out if you’re eligible for benefits in the first place.

What Benefits Am I Entitled To?

The easiest way to find out what you’re eligible for is to use an online calculator. There are multiple available online, including:

Turn2us

A free and confidential benefits calculator to help you find out what benefits you may be entitled to claim. To complete this calculation, you’ll need to have any current benefits information to hand, as well as bank statements and information about your housing costs.

If you have a partner who lives with you, you’ll also be asked to input their information, too.

Calculator link

Policy in Practice’s Better Off Calculator

A benefit and budgeting calculator, free to use, but if you want to save or compare any calculations you’ll be asked to create an account. This is suitable for anyone living in the UK permanently and is not meant for people in hospital, residential care, on strike or in prison.

You’ll need to input your household details, property details, as well as any income and earnings to view your results.

Calculator link

entitledto

Free to use, letting you know what benefits you might be able to claim as well as an estimation of your entitlement to benefits, tax credits and Universal Credit. As expected, you’ll need to input your property details, any income and who lives in your household to view your results.

Calculator link

With all of these calculators, the accuracy of responses will be impacted based on the accuracy of your inputted answers, as explained on this page.

Income and Work-Related Benefits

It can be hard to keep a household running when you have a low income coming in or are unable to work. In this section, we’ll take a deeper look into income and work-related benefits in particular, and the eligibility requirements for each.

Benefits for Low-Income Households

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with living costs.

Eligibility: Over 18, but under state pension age, with less than £16,000 in savings, or on low-income employment, or out of work.
Amount: Between £257.33 and £596.58 per month, depending on your circumstances.
How to claimMore information here

Housing Benefit is currently being replaced by Universal Credit, but you can still claim for it if you don’t already receive Universal Credit.

Eligibility: You’ve reached state pension age, or are in supported, sheltered or temporary housing.
Amount: There’s no set amount for Housing Benefits. The amount you receive depends on your personal circumstances, including your age, how much you pay in rent, and your household income (including pension and benefits).
There are multiple other restrictions on who can receive Housing Benefits. The full eligibility criteria are available here.
How to claimMore information here

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

If you own your own home but are having trouble paying your mortgage, the government could help you pay the interest.

Eligibility: If you already receive income support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit or Pension Credit.
Amount: You could get help paying the interest on up to £200,000 of the amount you owe your lender, or up to £100,000 if you claim Pension Credit. The government pays your mortgage lender directly.
How to claimMore information here

Council Tax Reductions

If your income is low or you claim benefits, you can apply for a reduction in your council tax bill.

Eligibility: Homeowners, renters, those at work, and the unemployed are eligible.
Amount: Up to 100% reduction in your council tax bill, depending on where you live and your personal circumstances.
How to claim: Through your local council, or, if in Northern Ireland, use this link.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

The Warm Home Discount Scheme helps you with a discount on your electricity bill between October and March.

Eligibility: If you receive the Guarantee Credit top-up for Pension Credit, you could be eligible for the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
Amount: This scheme gives you a one-time discount of up to £140 on your electricity bill between October and March.
The money is taken directly off your electricity bill. Applications for the current scheme opened in October 2021.
How to claimMore information here

Benefits for Those Unable to Work

If you find yourself in a situation where you are unable to work, there are several benefits available to support you.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

You’re eligible to apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you have an existing disability or health condition that affects your ability to work.

Eligibility: Under state pension age, worked as an employee or self-employed but have a disability or illness that affects your work, and have paid into National Insurance in the past two to three years. You must not already receive Jobseeker’s Allowance or Statutory Sick Pay.
Amount: Between £74.70 and £114.10 every two weeks depending on your circumstances. It’s important to note that this level of support only takes effect after the assessment period; a lower amount is paid whilst the claim is assessed.
How to claimMore information here and if in Northern Ireland, use this link.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with living costs.

Eligibility: Over 18 but under state pension age, less than £16,000 in savings, on a low income or out of work.
Amount: Between £257.33 and £596.58 per month depending on your circumstances.
How to claimMore information here

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) can help to ensure you still get a monetary fee when you are signed off work for longer than four days due to illness.

Eligibility: Off work for more than four days due to illness. You must be an employee, and earn at least £120 per week.
Amount: £96.35 per week for up to 28 weeks, minus taxes and NI.
How to claim: Through your employer. Make sure you claim before the deadline, which may be set by your employer. If your employer hasn’t set a deadline, claim within seven days.

Benefits for People Looking for Work

It can be hard to make ends meet while you’re unemployed, but actively searching for work. In this section, we’ll detail the benefits and support available to people looking for work.

Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA)

Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) is an unemployment benefit you can claim while you look for work.

Eligibility: Over 18, but under state pension age; not in full-time education; not in work, but have worked as an employee and paid National Insurance contributions in the past two to three years.
Amount: Up to £59.20 per week if you’re under 24 years of age, or up to £74.70 per week if you’re 25 and over.
How to claimMore information here

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with living costs.

Eligibility: Over 18 but under state pension age, less than £16,000 in savings, on a low income or out of work.
Amount: Between £257.33 and £596.58 per month depending on your circumstances.
How to claimMore information here

Pension Credit

Eligibility: You and your partner must be over state pension age, or your partner is over state pension age and receives housing benefits. This applies to England, Wales, and Scotland. In Northern Ireland, see this link.
Amount: Up to £177.10 and £270.30 per week depending on your circumstances.
How to claimMore information here or, if in Northern Ireland, see this link.

Benefits for the Disabled and the Ill


We will now take a look at the benefits and support available for the disabled and ill.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

The Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) has been designed to help those who find it hard to work as a result of their health conditions.

Eligibility: Under state pension age, worked as an employee or self-employed but have a disability or illness that affects your work, paid into National Insurance in the past two to three years. Must not receive Jobseeker’s Allowance or Statutory Sick Pay.
Amount: Between £74.70 and £114.10 every two weeks depending on your circumstances. It’s good to note that this level of support only takes effect after the assessment period and a lower amount is paid whilst the claim is assessed.
How to claimMore information here, or, if in Northern Ireland, see here.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) helps with extra living costs.

Eligibility: At least 16 years old, but under state pension age, with a disability or long-term physical or mental condition, or difficulties doing everyday tasks or getting around, lasting at least 12 months or more.
Amount: Between £23.70 and £89.60 per week depending on your circumstances, tax-free. There’s a care component and a mobility component; you might qualify for one or both components.
How to claim: Ring the PIP New Claims phone line or request an application form by post, for more information see here,
or, if in Northern Ireland, see here.

Attendance Allowance

This offers extra money to help with your personal care.

Eligibility: Over state pension age, have a physical or mental disability, and have needed care or supervision for at least six months.
Amount: Between £60 and £89.60 per week depending on your circumstances.
How to claimComplete the form and submit it by post.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Children

The Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Children helps families with any extra costs incurred with looking after their child.

Eligibility: You must have a child under 16 who has difficulty walking, or needs extra looking after.
Amount: Between £23.70 and £89.60 per week depending on your situation. There’s a care component and a mobility component; your child may qualify for one or both components.
How to claimComplete the form and submit it by post. In certain parts of Scotland, you may need to apply for the Child Disability Payment, or, if you’re based in Northern Ireland, you can find more information here.

Reduced Earnings Allowance

The Reduced Earnings Allowance has been designed to help those who can no longer work as much as before as a result of a work-related accident, or work-related disease.

Eligibility: If you suffered a work-related accident or developed a work-related disease before 1990 and you cannot do the same work or work for a similar income.
Amount: Up to £73.16 per week.
How to claimRequest a form by phone.

Blind Person’s Allowance

The Blind Person’s Allowance offers monetary support for those who are registered as blind or severely sight impaired.

Eligibility: Must be both registered as blind/severely sight impaired with the local council and have a medical certificate
Amount: Up to £2,520 added onto your yearly Personal Allowance for income tax.
How to claimBy phone from HMRC.

Disabled Facilities Grants

You can be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant if you need to make changes to your home to accommodate your disability.

Eligibility: Own or rent a property that you intend to live in for at least five years, and receive approval from the council before works begin.
Amount: Depending on your income and household savings, you may receive grants up to £25,000 in NI, £30,000 in England, or up to £36,000 in Wales. In Scotland, see more information here.
How to claim: Through your local council

Benefits for OAPs

If you’re retired and are wondering what government help you’re eligible for, read on. You can also use an online benefits calculator to establish whether there are other funds you can take advantage of.

Keeping Warm

The government offer free boilers and/or free central heating to help the elderly keep warm during the winter months.

Eligibility: If you have a household income of less than £16,010 and receive pension credit, you may be eligible for a free boiler and/or free central heating.
Amount: Free boiler and/or free central heating.
How to claimOnline here

Transport Concessions

There’s a wide range of transport concessions available for the elderly to aid travel around the country, from bus passes to railcards and more.

Bus Pass

Eligibility: The government offers free bus passes to those at state pension age, which can be used day or night, at peak and off-peak times, based on your date of birth and where you live.
Amount: Free bus pass.
How to claimOnline here

London Freedom Pass

Eligibility: If you’re a London resident, and of state pension age for women. For those not yet at state pension age, you can apply for a special Oyster card aged 60 to have free travel around London.
Amount: Free bus pass or Oyster card for London travel.
How to claimOnline here for London Freedom Pass, or here for Oyster card

Senior Railcard

Eligibility: Those aged 60 or over.
Amount: Senior railcard priced at a one-time fee, providing further discounts such as reduced membership rates for some food and art societies.
How to claimOnline here

Coach Discounts

Eligibility: Those aged 60 or over.
Amount: For £10, you can get a third off all your coach trips.
How to claimOnline here

TV Licence Discounts

Eligibility: Disabled or retired and live in specific accommodation; registered as severely sight impaired or blind; aged 75 or over; or someone in your house is aged 75 or over.
Amount: Discounted TV licence fee.
How to claimOnline here

Winter Fuel Payments

If you were born on or before 26 September 1955, you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills.

Eligibility: Automatically paid to those of state pension age and above.
Amount: Monetary supplements depending on your age.
How to claim: It’s automatic, but there’s more information available here.

Income-related Benefits


There are income-related benefits for those on low incomes to help with a variety of situations.

Pension Credit

Pension credit comes in two varieties – savings credit, and guarantee credit.

Savings Credit

Eligibility: Those of state pension age on a low income.
Amount: Extra £14.04 per week for sole applicants; £15.71 per week if in a partnership.
How to claimMore information here

Guarantee Credit

Eligibility: Those of state pension age on a low income, and are severely disabled; a carer; paying housing costs like a mortgage, or earning less than the minimum thresholds for single or couple allowances.
Amount: Top up weekly pension income to £159.35 for singles, or £243.25 for couples.
How to claimMore information here

NHS Health Costs

You can be eligible for NHS Health Costs, including dental treatments, discounts on contact lenses and glasses, and travel to and from centres for NHS treatments.

Eligibility: Those aged 60 or over.
Amount: Free NHS dental treatment; NHS wigs and fabric supports; discounts on contact lenses and glasses; money towards travelling to hospitals or clinics for NHS treatments.
How to claimMore information here

Council Tax Support

You can claim Council Tax Support for varying amounts based on your eligibility, which is based on your savings, income, age and council tax band.

Eligibility: Various, based on savings, income, age and council tax band.
Amount: Ranging from discounts on council tax to having it paid entirely for you, depending on your eligibility.
How to claimMore information here

Grants for Disabilities and Caregiving

There is a range of grants and benefits available for those living with disabilities or who are caregivers, in a range of scenarios, listed below.

Attendance Allowance

Eligibility: Those 65 or over; with a terminal illness; have already needed support for a minimum of six months; or would benefit from a carer to help with personal care or supervision.
Amount: Weekly payment of around £55.65 for help during the day, but if you need support through the night, you can qualify for the £83.10 weekly rate.
How to claimMore information here

Carer’s Allowance

Eligibility: As a carer, you need to spend a minimum of 35 hours a week caring for someone disabled who receives Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.
Amount: A weekly payment of £62.70.
How to claimMore information here

Dealing With Bereavement

At times of bereavement, it can be hard to carry on as normal. There are several support packages available for those dealing with bereavement, and their eligibility is weighted on a series of circumstances as listed below.

Bereavement Payment

Eligibility: If your spouse or civil partner died before 6th April 2017, you can claim, as long as they contributed to National Insurance over their lifetime and didn’t receive a Category A State Pension. You must also be under the state pension age when they passed.
Amount: £2,000 lump sum.
How to claimMore information here

Bereavement Allowance

Eligibility: If your spouse or civil partner died after 6th April 2017, you can claim, as long as they contributed to National Insurance over their lifetime and didn’t receive a Category A State Pension. You must also be under the state pension age when they passed.
Amount: If you’re between 45 and 54, a weekly payment of between £34.11 to £105.74. If you’re 55 or over, but below state pension age, you can claim £113.70.
How to claimMore information here

For more information, take a look at our dedicated page for older adults here.

Benefits for Carers

We will now look into the range of benefits available for carers, and their individual criteria.

Carer’s Allowance

Eligibility: If you’re 16 and older, not in full-time education, and a carer for someone who receives certain benefits (e.g., PIP, DLA, Attendance Allowance, Child Disability Payment, etc). Must be a carer for at least 35 hours per week.
Amount: £67.60 per week.
How to claimOnline here

Carer’s Credit

Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old but under state pension age, caring for someone at least 20 hours a week. The person being cared for must receive certain benefits (e.g., DLA, Attendance Allowance, PIP, etc).
Amount: Not a monetary amount, but the credit helps fill gaps in your National Insurance contribution record, to help you maximise your state pension.
How to claimComplete the form and submit it by post.

Universal Credit

Eligibility: Over 18 but under state pension age, less than £16,000 in savings, on a low income or out of work.
Amount: Between £257.33 and £596.58 per month depending on your circumstances.
How to claimMore information here

Pension Credit

If you’re on a low income and having trouble paying your bills, you may want to look into Pension Credit. Pension Credit can top-up your income to £177.10 for single people or up to £270.30 if you have a spouse or civil partner.

In addition to these top-ups, you may be eligible for extra payments in some circumstances, such as:

  • You’re severely disabled
  • You’re a carer
  • You’re responsible for children or young people (including disabled children or young people)
  • You’ve got housing costs
  • You’ve got savings or another pension (besides state pension).

These top-ups and extra payments are called Guarantee Credit.

Pension Credit entitles anyone over the age of 60 to free NHS prescriptions and eye tests. This includes your spouse or partner even if they’re younger than 60.

How to claim: In England, Wales, and Scotland here, or, if you’re in Northern Ireland here.

Benefits for Families


Next up, we’ll be looking at benefits available to families.

Statutory Maternity Pay and Leave (SMP)

Eligibility: For SMP, you must be an employee earning at least £120 a week and have worked continuously for the same employer for at least 26 weeks, including the 15th week before the baby is born. You must notify your employer 28 days before your due date. For Statutory Maternity Leave, you must notify your employer at least 15 weeks before your due date.
Amount: 90% of your average weekly earnings (pre-tax) per week for the first 6 weeks, then £151.97 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) per week for the next 33 weeks.
How to claim: Contact your employer and supply the MATB1 certificate given by your GP or midwife.

Maternity Allowance

Eligibility: If you are employed but ineligible for Statutory Maternity Pay, self-employed, recently stopped working, or perform unpaid work for your partner’s business. You must earn at least £30 per week.
Amount: Up to £151.97 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) per week, for 39 weeks. You can maximise your Maternity Allowance by paying to Class 2 National Insurance.
How to claimPrint out the form and submit it by post.

Paternity Pay and Leave

Eligibility: For Statutory Paternity Pay, you must be an employee earning at least £120 a week and have worked continuously for the same employer for at least 26 weeks, including the 15th week before the baby is born. You must notify your employer 28 days before your due date. For Statutory Paternity Leave, you must notify your employer at least 15 weeks before your due date.
Amount: 90% of your average weekly earnings (pre-tax) per week for the first 6 weeks, then £151.97 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) per week for one or two weeks.
How to claim: Contact your employer and submit the SC3 form.

Shared Parental Pay and Leave

Eligibility: Must be either birth parents, adopters, or parents using a surrogate. You must provide at least 8 weeks’ notice.
Amount: 90% of your average weekly earnings (pre-tax) per week for the first 6 weeks, then £151.97 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) per week for the next 33 weeks.
How to claimComplete this form and submit it to your employer.

Adoption Pay and Leave

Eligibility: Must be an employee earning at least £120 a week and have worked continuously for the same employer for at least 26 weeks, including the 15th week before being matched with a baby or child. For Statutory Adoption Leave, you must tell your employer how much leave you want and when within 7 days of being matched.
Amount: 90% of your average weekly earnings (pre-tax) per week for the first 6 weeks, then £151.97 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) per week for the next 33 weeks.
How to claim: Through your employer.

Sure Start Maternity Grant

Eligibility: You must receive certain benefits (such as Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit, JSA or ESA). You can apply up to 11 weeks before the due date, or up to 6 months after the baby is born.
Amount: A one-off payment of £500 if you’re expecting one child or twins, up to £1,000 if you’re pregnant with triplets.
How to claimPrint out the form, bring it to your GP or midwife (they must complete section 13), and submit it by post. Or, if you’re in Scotland, use this form.

Bereavement Benefits

For those who are in bereavement, there are several of support channels available.

Bereavement Support Payment

If your spouse or partner has died and was younger than the State Pension age at the time of their death, you might be eligible to claim Bereavement Support Payment.

  • To claim this benefit, your spouse or partner must have either:
  • Paid into National Insurance for at least 25 weeks in any one year since 1975; or,
  • Died due to a workplace accident or work-related disease.

There are two different rates of Bereavement Support Payment, depending on whether or not you have children:

  • If you have children, you could receive a one-time payment of up to £3,500 followed by monthly payments of £350 for 18 months.
  • If you don’t have children, you could receive a one-time payment of up to £2,500 followed by monthly payments of £100 for 18 months.

To receive the full amount (whether you have children or not), you must claim this benefit within three months after your spouse or partner died (12 months in Northern Ireland). If you don’t claim within three (or 12) months, you can still apply within 21 months after their death, but your payments will be lower.

How to claim: In England, Wales, and Scotland, see here. In Northern Ireland, see here.

Funeral Expenses Payment

If you receive Pension Credit and your spouse or partner has died, you could get help paying for the cost of their funeral. This includes the cost of a death certificate, as well as burial or cremation fees.

If your spouse or partner died before 8 April 2020 you could receive up to £700. If they passed after 8 April 2020 you could receive up to £1,000.

The amount you could receive depends on your circumstances—including whether your spouse or partner had insurance or left an estate.

Bereavement Support Payment

Eligibility: You are eligible for Bereavement Support Payment if your husband, wife or civil partner has passed away in the last 21 months. To get the full amount, you must apply for the support within three months of their death, but you can still apply up to 21 months, but the amount will be lowered. The deceased must be under state pension age and living in the UK or a country that pays bereavement benefits.
Amount: The higher rate is £3,500, while the lower rate is £2,500.
How to claim: The best way is via the phone; more information here.

Children’s Funeral Fund for England

Eligibility: Available for those who have suffered a loss of their child under 18 months, or a baby stillborn after the 24th week of pregnancy.
Amount: Support in payment towards burial fees, cremation fees, and coffin, shroud or casket up to £300.
How to claimMore information here.

Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay and Leave

Eligibility: If your child dies before they turn 18, or if you have a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy. You may be eligible for parental bereavement leave, or statutory parental bereavement pay.
Amount: Parental bereavement leave can be two weeks of leave, either taken together or separately. Statutory parental bereavement pay may offer you £151.97 a week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.
How to claimMore information here.

Guardian’s Allowance

Eligibility: Guardian’s allowance is available to those who are bringing up a child whose parents have died, but you may also be eligible if there’s one surviving parent.
Amount: £18 a week, tax-free, paid on top of child benefit payments.
How to claimMore information here.

War Widow(er) Pension

Eligibility: If your wife, husband or civil partner died as a result of their service in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces or during a time of war, before 6 April 2005. If illness, death or injury happened on or after 6 April 2005, you can look to claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.
Amount: Tax-free, but differs depending on your age and circumstances, explained here.
How to claimMore information here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Challenge a Benefits Decision?

Your first port of call should be the .gov website, to the ‘Appeal a Benefit Decision’ page.

Before you start a formal appeal, you need to ask for a mandatory reconsideration, which is when your first decision is looked at again. This advice only changes when your decision letter says you can appeal the decision right away.

You must appeal to the tribunal within a month of getting your reconsideration decision, as appeals after this time may be refused.

For a full list of benefits decisions you can appeal, take a look at the .gov website.

Can I Get an Advance on My Benefits?

It is possible to get an advance payment on your benefits if you are in urgent financial need, as described by the .gov website. ​

In cases like these, you’ll be able to get the funds to you sooner, but it will be ‘paid back’ with your later payments which will be smaller than originally planned to counterbalance the early release. You don’t have to pay interest on the early payments.

To apply, you’ll need to call up one of the numbers on this page, and give as much information into your circumstances as you feel is needed to give the advisor a full picture of your situation and need for the early payment.

Is It Possible To Get a Grant From My Local Council?

Some councils offer financial support to pensioners. The best route here is to contact your local council directly for more information, and you can find your local information on this page.

Additional Resources

Here is a list of additional resources to help you with further information on what we’ve covered above.

UK Government Guidance on Benefits
Advicelink Cymru
Benefits and Grants in Scotland
Benefits and Grants in Northern Ireland
Citizens Advice 
NHS Help with Health Costs