This resource will tell you more about the benefits you may be eligible for and how to claim them.
Some of these benefits can vary depending on what country you are in, or your local Council. We advise asking your local Council directly what supporting they can provide, as the local support offered can vary depending on where you live.
The main benefit that you may be eligible for is Universal Credit (UC). This is usually a monthly payment awarded to those on low income, out of work or unable to work.
Universal Credit is a little different in Northern Ireland and must be applied from Northern Ireland’s government website.
Universal Credit was created as a replacement for many of the previous benefits such as:
This benefit is valid up until you are earning a certain amount or are of pensionable age. For further information on eligibility, we suggest you visit the government website which outlines the requirements.
The standard allowance is as follows:
You can receive additional payments if you have children and again if those children have a disability.
You can also get an additional payment if you have a disability or health condition that limits your capability for work and work-related activity, or if you provide care for someone. To check your entitlements please see the turn2us benefits calculator.
Your payments may be reduced if the following apply:
This benefit is to help with the extra living costs if you have both:
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks.
For more information about this, check out this resource created by Citizen’s Advice explaining how this payment works. For each task they’ll look at:
If you live in Scotland you will need to apply for Adult Disability Payment instead, this is explained in more detail below.
If you are on low income, receiving certain benefits you can apply for a grant, the grants are: Crisis grant – to help with unexpected emergency, Community Care Grant 0 to help you or someone you care for. This is applied through your local council.
To assist in the cost of a funeral.
to assist you with pregnancy and baby costs, Early learning and school ages, each payment is one-off. They also offer a food card to be used to buy healthy foods.
If you have a disability or impairment you can apply to this fund for money to help you take part in a new activity or learn a skill.
this exists to help with the costs of starting a new job if you have been out of work and are on benefits.
is a yearly payment for 16-18 years olds who are young carers.
to help the costs of supporting family if you are in the care of a child, you may be entitled to this weekly payment of £20.
is made up of two parts, daily living, and mobility. You may qualify for one or both parts. This is a weekly payment that has different tiers for a standard or enhanced award depending on the nature of your disability.
there are a few different forms of this such as a Discretionary Housing payment which is in addition to general housing benefit. These will be applied for via your local council.
Is a temporary payment when you are challenging a decision to reduce or stop your Adult Disability Payment, whilst the challenge is ongoing this payment will replace the amount that social security Scotland has reduce your disability payment by.
This includes things like care, housing, transport, travel and are needed to be applied for separately.
this gives financial help to deal with the more immediate costs caused by the death of a spouse or civil partner.
If you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone with a disability or health condition you may be eligible for this payment.
This is a credit for carers to protect your future entitlement to State Pension and bereavement benefits.
This benefit offers support and financial help so you can do suitable work if able. You must have an illness or disability which affects your work ability, be unable to work for two or more days out of 7 consecutive days, be receiving special medical treatment.
