What Benefits Can I Claim?

Factors that can affect your entitlement include:

• Your age
• Your income and savings
• Whether you are working
• Whether you have children
• Your housing costs
• Any health conditions or disabilities
• Caring responsibilities
• Your household circumstances

Many people are missing out on benefits they are entitled to, so it is always worth checking.

If you have a low income or are out of work, you may be able to claim:

Universal Credit is a monthly payment that helps with living costs.

It may be available if you:

• Are on a low income.
• Are unemployed.
• Are unable to work.
• Are working but need additional financial support.

Universal Credit can also include help towards housing costs and childcare expenses.

PIP helps with the extra costs of living with a long-term health condition or disability.

Eligibility is based on how your condition affects your daily living and mobility, rather than the condition itself.

PIP can often be claimed whether you are working or not.

Attendance Allowance helps people over State Pension age who need support with personal care because of a disability or health condition.

You may be able to claim Carer's Allowance if:

• You regularly care for someone with a disability or health condition.
• The person you care for receives a qualifying disability benefit.
• You meet the eligibility criteria.

Even if you cannot receive Carer's Allowance, you may still be entitled to other forms of support.

Pension Credit is designed to top up the income of people over State Pension age who are on a low income.

Claiming Pension Credit can also help you access other support, including:

• Help with Council Tax
• Free TV licence in some circumstances
• Assistance with heating costs
• Help with health costs

You may be able to get support with:

Support with rent may be available through:

• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit (for some people)
• Discretionary Housing Payments

Many local authorities offer:

• Council Tax Reduction
• Discounts and exemptions for eligible households

Families may be entitled to support such as:

A payment to help with the cost of raising children.

A scheme that helps eligible families buy healthy food and milk.

Help with childcare costs may be available through:

• Universal Credit
• Tax-Free Childcare
• Free childcare schemes

Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to:

• Universal Credit
• New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

Support is available whether your inability to work is temporary or long-term.

You may also be eligible for:

• Household Support Fund
• Warm Home Discount
• Cold Weather Payments
• Winter Fuel Payment
• Water bill support schemes
• Energy support grants
• Charitable grants

Many of these schemes are not automatically awarded, so it is important to check what is available.

A benefits check can help identify:

• Benefits you may be missing out on.
• Additional financial support available.
• Help with housing costs.
• Support with energy bills and household expenses.

Even small changes in your circumstances can affect your entitlement.

Our advisors can help you:

• Check your benefit entitlement.
• Understand which benefits may apply to you.
• Help with new claims and applications.
• Challenge benefit decisions where appropriate.
• Access additional financial support.

Contact our team for free, confidential advice and support.