Information on the welfare benefits available to residents in the UK, where and how to register with the authorities and what contributions and benefits to expect...
Legal residents in the UK may be entitled, in certain circ*mstances, to a number of social security benefits. These include:
- Income support
- Job seeker's Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance
- Invalid Care Allowance
- State Pension
Most benefits are managed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through Jobcentre Plus offices.
Income Support
Income Support is available for people on a low income. It is dependent on how much money a person earns and any capital or savings they have. People with savings may get paid a reduced amount, and those with savings over a certain amount are not eligible.
Recipients must be over 16 years of age to get Income Support. They must not work more than 16 hours per week and, if they have a partner, that partner can not work more than 24 hours per week.
- For further information on who is entitled to Income Support
Information can also be obtained from a Jobcentre Plus office or by telephone:
- Jobcentre Plus
To find your local Jobcentre Plus open: 08:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday
Jobseeker's Allowance
Jobseeker's Allowance is paid to an unemployed person looking for work. It is paid to eligible people over 18 years old and under retirement age who are out of a job but capable of working and actively seeking employment. It is also available to people who work 16 hours or less every week.
- For more information, see Unemployment Benefits and Jobseeking in the UK
Child Benefit
Everyone with a child under 16 living permanently in the UK can apply for Child Benefit. They can also apply if a child is between 16 and 19, and in full time education, or a child of 16 or 17 years old who has recently left education or training but is registered for certain work or training.
According to the Direct Gov website, new arrivals to the UK must be one of the following to be eligible:
- Physically present with their child in the UK
- Have their main home is in the UK
- Have the right to reside in the UK
- Responsible for the child living with them
For advice on child benefit call the Child Benefit Helpline on0300 200 3100, between 08:00 and 18:00 Monday- Friday
- For further information on who may claim Child Benefit
Child Benefit is paid monthly or weekly, into any bank, building society, or National Savings & Investments (NS&I) account that accepts Direct Payment. There are two separate amounts, with a higher amount for the eldest (or only) child. It is usually paid every four weeks, however, parents getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit and single parents may receive weekly payments instead.
- For information on child Benefit and how it is paid
To claim Child Benefit, an application can be made online. First time claimants may need to download a claim form and send supporting documents to HRMC.
- For information on how to claim for child benefit
Direct payments are also available for parents and carers of children with a disability. These can be made for employing someone to care for the child, personal care, after school and holiday provision, assistance to attend activities, and placement in a nursery that provides specialist care.
- For information on direct payments
Housing Benefit
People on a low income, whether employed or not, may be eligible for help in paying all or part of their rent. If the salary plus savings are below a certain level, help may be available.
- For more information on who qualifies see the Government's online benefit calculator
- For further information on Housing Benefit
Council Tax Benefit
All residents, whether in a rented or privately owned property, in a flat, bungalow or house, must pay a Council Tax to their local authority to pay for local services such as rubbish collection. It is usually paid monthly.
As with Housing Benefit, for low earners or the unemployed, there is financial help available for paying Council Tax - for those who own their own home or rent it.
- For more information on who is eligible, see the UK Government's page on who has to pay
- For further information on claiming the benefit: applying for a council tax reduction
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
This is a tax-free benefit for people that who need help looking after themselves, and there are different rates which apply to the extent of the disability. It can be claimed by anyone with mental or physical disabilities aged three to 65 with severe difficulty in walking, or anyone aged five to 65 who needs help to get around.
- For more information on the Disability Allowance (DLA)
Invalid Carer's Allowance
Invalid Carer's Allowance is a taxable benefit to help people who look after someone who is disabled. The claimant does not have to be related to, or living with, the person for whom they care for.
People eligible for Carer's Allowance include those who are over 16 years old who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who is entitled to certain benefits.
A person may not be able to claim if they earn over a certain amount and can not claim if they are in full-time education. It is important to be aware that receiving the allowance may affect any other benefits that are claimed or benefits claimed by the person they care for.
The amount is paid weekly and directly into the carer's bank account.
- For more information on Carer's Allowance
State Retirement Pension
A State Retirement Pension is paid to women aged 66 and over and men aged 65 and over. The eligible age for the state pension is due to rise to 66 in the future.
The GOV.UK website has a tool to check when someone is eligible to receive their State Pension.
Pensioners need to have paid enough National Insurance contributions throughout their working life to qualify. The amount they are paid depends on the contributions they have made.
- For further information on state pensions
Further Information
- Citizen's Advice Bureau
- Money Tax and Benefits information
- Department for Work and Pensions
- The Pension Service
- Money Helper: finance information service
- General Taxes
- Income Tax
- Business Tax
- Banking
- Social Security
- Useful Contacts
