Benefits

What benefits are you entitled to?

Figure 6 Benefits – a complex system

The UK has a complex benefits system but it’s important to know what you’re entitled to. Could you be eligible for benefits you’re not claiming? Below is a list of the key benefits, though many of these are in the process of being replaced by Universal Credit (those marked by an asterisk). You can use the calculators on gov.uk [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] to work out which you might be entitled to.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) is paid to those available and actively looking for employment. It is split into contribution-based JSA and income-based JSA *.

Income Support * is a means-tested benefit paid to certain groups of people who do not have enough money to live on.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is for people who cannot work because of illness or disability. It is split into contribution-based ESA and income-related ESA * which is a means-tested benefit.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for people under 65 who have personal care needs or problems with mobility.

Carer’s Allowance is a benefit for people who are giving regular and substantial care to disabled people in their own homes.

Attendance Allowance is a benefit for people with care needs who are over 65.

Child Benefit is a tax-free benefit paid to people with children whose household income falls below a certain amount. (From January 2013, individuals paying a higher rate of tax were excluded from this benefit.)

Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people over the minimum state pension age.

Council Tax Reduction is a means-tested benefit provided by local authorities for people on low income to help them pay Council Tax. It has replaced Council Tax Benefit.

Housing Benefit * is a means-tested benefit for people on low income to help them pay their rent.

Prescriptions and dental treatment are either free or subsidised