What benefits can I claim in the UK?
The UK Government has a series of benefits to help you increase your income and living standards depending on your circumstances.
If you are entitled to a benefit, you can claim most of them online. You can use this link.
If you can’t do the application online, you can claim by phone, depending on the benefit you are claiming for the phone number will change and you can find it on the benefit’s official online page.
If you need extra help, you could get a home visit to claim a benefit.
What are benefits?
Benefits are payments made by the Government to eligible people under certain circumstances.
In the UK, you may also receive National Insurance Credits, unpaid leave, and tax-free allowances as Benefits.
What benefits am I eligible for?
There are different categories of benefits, you will need to find each one you fit into. You might be able to fit into more than one.
Then you can check what benefits are available in each of them.
Usually, the benefits are interconnected, so when you claim one, you can automatically be entitled to another one.
The way to know if you are entitled to benefits is by applying for them.
The claim process is simple if you have the right documents and you can prove your circumstances.
You will also have a designated professional to support you when you start receiving benefits.
You can reach out to this person as much as you need to resolve any issues or questions that you may have.
If you are struggling financially, the benefits are here to help you, make sure you check them out and claim them.
One important thing to note is that two people can be receiving the same benefits but in different amounts.
This is because every benefit in the UK takes into account the person’s circumstances, so every case is different.
If you want to know how much you can be receiving, you can use Benefits Calculators.
Latest Deals has listed some of the benefits you can get in each category. Check them out below:
Benefits and financial support if you're caring for someone
If you need to take care of someone, you might not be able to work at all, or for enough hours to make a living. The UK Government has some benefits that you might be entitled to receive:
Carer's Allowance
With this benefit, you could get £67.60 a week if you are taking care of someone for at least 35 hours a week.
You can easily make a claim online by providing some documents, including your National Insurance Number.
With Carer’s Allowance, you automatically get National Insurance Credit, and you don’t need to pay for National Insurance anymore.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is important to guarantee you will be able to receive a State Pension in the future.
Carer's Credit
If you are taking care of someone for at least 20 hours a week, you can get Carer’s Credit.
This is National Insurance Credit, and you don’t need to pay for National Insurance.
This doesn’t give you an extra allowance, but it helps to cover your National Insurance for you.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is also important to guarantee you will be able to receive a State Pension in the future.
Universal Credit
If you can’t work or are on a low income because you are taking care of someone, you can apply for Universal Credit.
You are most likely to be eligible for Universal Credit:
- if you are on a low income or out of work,
- if you are 18 or over,
- if you are under the State Pension Age,
- if you and your partner have less than £16,000 in savings
- and if you live in the UK.
With this benefit, you can get a standard allowance and extra amounts depending on your circumstances.
Universal Credit also includes housing costs.
When you do your claim, you will need to answer lots of questions that will indicate how much you are entitled to receive monthly.
If any of your circumstances change, you must update your account. Universal Credit is calculated month by month.
Pension Credit
If you are taking care of someone, are over the State Pension age and are on a low income, you might be able to get Pension Credit. Learn more about Pension Credit here.
Benefits and financial support if you're temporarily unable to work
If you are out of work temporarily, there are some benefits you can apply for:
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you have a disability or a health condition that affects how many hours you can work, you can apply for this benefit.
To be eligible, you need to be under the State Pension age. You also must have worked as an employee or have been self-employed.
In addition, you need to have paid National Insurance for the last 2 to 3 years, in this case, National Insurance credits also count.
How much you will be paid depends on your circumstances.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you can’t work because of coronavirus, you can apply for Employment and Support Allowance.
Universal Credit
If you are out of work, you can apply for Universal Credit.
With this benefit, you can get a standard allowance and extra amounts depending on your circumstances.
Universal Credit also includes housing costs.
When you do your claim, you will need to answer lots of questions that will indicate how much you are entitled to receive monthly.
If any of your circumstances change, you must update your account.
Universal Credit is calculated month by month.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
If you are too sick to work, you can get £96.35 per week with Statutory Sick Pay.
This is paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks. You can’t get less than £96.35 per week, but you could get more if your employer has a sick pay scheme.
To apply for this you need to contact your employer with the proper documentation to prove that you are unable to work for a period of time.
When you can’t receive this benefit from your employer anymore after the 28 weeks, you can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
You can do it up to 3 months before your SSP finishes.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you can’t work because of coronavirus, you can apply for Statutory Sick Pay.
Test and Trace Support Payment
If you can’t work because of coronavirus, you can apply for the Test and Trace Support Payment.
You can get a payment of £500 if you have been told to self-isolate and can’t work from home, or if you need to take care of a child who has been told to self-isolate.
You must be employed or self-employed. This amount is taxable but you don’t need to pay National Insurance contributions on it.
Benefits and financial support for families
If you are starting a family, or already have a family, you can get many different benefits:
Maternity pay and leave
In the UK, Maternity Leave is up to 52 weeks made up of the first 26 weeks of Ordinary Maternity Leave and more 26 weeks of Additional Maternity Leave.
You aren’t required to take these 52 weeks, but you must take at least 2 weeks after your baby is born.
Maternity pay is 90% of your weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks and £151.97 or 90% of your weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for an additional 33 weeks. No further maternity pay is paid if you decide to take longer leave.
This is paid by your employer.
Maternity Allowance
If for any reason, you can’t get Maternity pay, you can apply for Maternity Allowance.
You can also get this if you are self-employed, have recently stopped working, or if you were receiving Maternity pay for the last 39 weeks and won’t receive it anymore.
You could also get £151.97 or 90% of your weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for 39 weeks. How much you will get depends on your circumstances.
Sure Start Maternity Grant
If you are already receiving benefits, you might be entitled to receive this maternity grant. You can only receive it if you are going to have twins or triplets.
Paternity pay and leave
In the UK, Paternity leave is up to 2 weeks with a Paternity pay of £151.97 or 90% of your weekly earnings (whichever is lower) per week. This is also paid for by your employer.
Shared Parental Leave and Pay
You and your partner might be able to get Shared Parental Leave and Pay.
Between both of you, you can share up to 50 weeks of leave and up to 37 weeks of pay, the payment is the same £151.97 or 90% of your weekly earnings (whichever is lower) per week.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Shared Parental Leave and Pay is a complex benefit, if you need more information about this, please use this link.
Adoption pay and leave
When you adopt a child you can take 26 weeks of Ordinary Adoption Leave plus 26 weeks of Additional Adoption Leave. You could also get paid £151.97 or 90% of your weekly earnings (whichever is lower) per week, for 33 weeks.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If your employer has a company adoption pay scheme you can potentially earn more.
Unpaid parental leave
If you need to spend more time with your child, you can take unpaid parental leave. You are entitled to 18 weeks of unpaid parental leave but you can only take 4 weeks per year. This is unpaid.
Child Benefit
Most people that are taking care of children in the UK can claim Child Benefit. Only one person can claim the benefit per child.
You can get child benefit if you’re responsible for a child under the age of 16, or under the age of 20 if they continue into approved education and training.
The allowance starts at £14 per week and is up to £21.15 per week. To learn more about Child Benefit, use this link.
If you or your partner earns over £50,000, you may have to pay back some of the Child Benefit in taxes.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children
If you have a child with disabilities, you might be eligible for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children.
This starts at £23.70 per week to up to £152.15 per week. The amount you will get depends on how severe the disabilities are.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You can get extra help if you reach out to your Council. Here is some more information.
Childcare Help
Depending on your circumstances, you might be eligible for childcare.
This is also a complex benefit, so the best way to learn more about it and if you are entitled to receive it is by accessing its step by step guide.
IMPORTANT NOTE: There are other benefits available if you have a child. Please check for all of them here. If you are a parent that wants to go back to studying full-time you could get a Childcare Grant and Parents’ Learning Allowance.
Benefits and financial support if you're looking for work
If you are looking for a job, you can apply for some of these benefits:
Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
If you are between jobs, JSA can be a good help. You can only apply if you have worked as an employee and if you have paid for Class 1 National Insurance. You also need to be under the State Pension age.
The good thing about this benefit is that your savings and your partner’s income is not taken into account, so it really helps to increase your income while you are looking for a new job.
You can also combine this with part-time work for up to 16 hours a week.
Universal Credit
If you need extra help, you can apply for Universal Credit, but in this case, your savings and your partner’s savings will be taken into account and you might not qualify for it.
Pension Credit
If you have reached the State Pension age you can apply for Pension Credit.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you need help to find a job, please check this page.
Benefits and financial support if you're on a low income
If you are on a low income, you can apply for some benefits to help you pay your bills:
Universal Credit
You can apply for Universal Credit.
With this benefit, you can get a standard allowance and extra amounts depending on your circumstances.
Universal Credit also includes housing costs.
When you do your claim, you will need to answer lots of questions that will indicate how much you are entitled to receive monthly.
If any of your circumstances change, you must update your account.
Universal Credit is calculated month by month.
Housing Benefit
When you apply for Universal Credit, you automatically apply for Housing Benefit as well.
It’s in the same process.
But you can still apply for Housing Benefit separately if you reached the State Pension Age and if you are in supported, sheltered or temporary housing.
This can be used to help you cover your rent.
The amount received depends on your circumstances.
Council Tax Reduction
You can also apply for a Council Tax Reduction depending on your circumstances. If you are receiving Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, you are entitled to receive Council Tax Reduction.
IMPORTANT NOTE: There are some other benefits you can apply for, check them here.
Benefits and financial support if you have a disability or have a health condition
If you have a disability or a health condition, you can get many different benefits and financial support:
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you have a disability or a health condition that affects how many hours you can work, you can apply for this benefit.
To be eligible, you need to be under the state pension age. You also must have worked as an employee or have been self-employed.
Besides, as well have paid National Insurance for the last 2 to 3 years, in this case, National Insurance credits also count.
How much you will be paid depends on your circumstances.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you can’t work because of coronavirus, you can apply for Employment and Support Allowance.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
If you have a condition that makes your daily activities hard and that reduces your mobility, you can be eligible for PIP. This benefit is made of two parts, the daily living part and the mobility part, so you might get one of them or both. This will all depend on how severe your case is.
Attendance Allowance
If you need to pay for someone to take care of you, you can get Attendance Allowance.
Blind Person's Allowance
A person who is blind in the UK gets an extra free tax allowance. Understand more about income tax here.
Universal Credit
You can also apply for Universal Credit.
Depending on your circumstances you can get extra payments because of your disability or health condition.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
There are many other benefits that you can apply if you disabled, find them here.
If you are terminally ill, you can also get other benefits, find them here.
If you got injured because of your line of work, you can get other benefits, find them here.
Benefits and financial support when someone dies
If someone closes to you has died, you might be entitled to some benefits and financial support:
Bereavement Support Payment
If your spouse or civil partner has died in the last 21 months, you might be able to get Bereavement Support Payment.
Keep in mind that you can only get this if your partner has died because of their work and you were under the State Pension Age at the time of the death.
Funeral Expenses Payment
If you are already receiving other benefits, you could also get a Funeral Expenses Payment to pay for the funeral expenses.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you don’t know what to do when someone dies, here is a step by step. You can also check your benefits, tax and pension after the death of your partner.
EXTRA financial support
If you need extra help you can either apply for a Government Loan or start a savings account provided by the Government. Understand more about them below:
Help to Save
If you are receiving some benefits you might be eligible for opening a Help to Save account.
This is provided by the Government and you will get interest paid after the second and the fourth year of savings.
You can only save a maximum of £50 per month for four years, in a total of £2,400 which will give you a bonus of £1,200 paid by the Government.
Budgeting Loans
If you need a loan, you might be eligible for a Budgeting Loan, this is provided by the Government, and how much you can get depends on your circumstances.
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