Benefits, Grants and Help with Living Costs

Some benefits can be claimed while working, and receiving one benefit does not automatically mean somebody receives every related form of help. Many households miss out simply because they assume they will not qualify.

Rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and individual circumstances matter a great deal. This page cannot calculate your entitlement, guarantee an award or replace a qualified benefits adviser. Sixpence Support UK does not award benefits, issue food-bank vouchers or make emergency payments, and we never ask you to send us financial, medical or identification documents.

The list below is a starting point, not a promise of entitlement. Each scheme has its own rules, and some have been replaced by newer benefits or devolved equivalents.

Income and employment support

• Universal Credit — the main means-tested payment for working-age people on a low income, in or out of work.
• New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance — based on National Insurance contributions if you are looking for work.
• New Style Employment and Support Allowance — contribution-based support if illness or disability limits your ability to work.
• Statutory Sick Pay — paid by an employer where the qualifying conditions are met.

Disability and health

• Personal Independence Payment — for extra costs of a long-term health condition or disability (England, Wales and Northern Ireland).
• Disability Living Allowance for children.
• Attendance Allowance — for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care or supervision.
• In Scotland: Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment.
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit — where an illness or injury is linked to certain work.

Carers

• Carer’s Allowance.
• In Scotland: Carer Support Payment.
• The carer element of Universal Credit, where the conditions are met.
• A local carer’s assessment from the council, which can lead to practical support, respite or equipment.

Pension-age help

• State Pension.
• Pension Credit — often unclaimed, and can open the door to other help.
• Attendance Allowance.
• Help with housing costs and Council Tax Reduction.
• Winter-related support where a scheme is currently available in your nation.

Families and children

• Child Benefit.
• Universal Credit child-related elements, including help with childcare costs.
• Maternity Allowance.
• Sure Start Maternity Grant, or the relevant devolved alternative such as Best Start Grant in Scotland.
• NHS Healthy Start, or Best Start Foods in Scotland.
• Free school meals.
• Help with childcare costs.

Bereavement

• Bereavement Support Payment.
• Funeral Expenses Payment, or the relevant devolved scheme such as Funeral Support Payment in Scotland.
• Tell Us Once — help notifying government services after a death.

Depending on where you live and your circumstances, help may be available with:

• food — see Food Banks and Emergency Food Help
• energy bills, prepayment meters and emergency fuel credit
• water bills, including social tariffs offered by water companies
• rent
• Council Tax
• essential household items such as a cooker, fridge or bed
• school costs such as uniform and trips
• travel to healthcare appointments
• NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, glasses and travel costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme
• funeral costs
• emergency local welfare support
• charitable grants

Local schemes and devolved arrangements differ, so check both your local council and the relevant national government website for your nation.

• Universal Credit housing costs element, for rent and some service charges.
• Housing Benefit — still available to certain limited groups, such as some pension-age or supported-housing tenants.
• Council Tax Reduction or local Council Tax Support, run by each council under its own scheme.
• Discretionary Housing Payments — short-term council help where housing costs are not fully met.
• Help with rent shortfalls, arrears and negotiating with a landlord through an adviser.
• For homeowners, official information about Support for Mortgage Interest, which is a loan.

A grant is usually money or practical assistance that does not have to be repaid. Every provider sets its own eligibility conditions, and applying does not guarantee an award. Grants may be connected with:

• a previous or current employer or occupation
• a profession, trade union or armed-forces background
• a disability or illness
• caring responsibilities
• bereavement
• energy or household needs
• education and training
• religious or community organisations

Turn2us Grants Search lists many UK grant-giving charities. Sixpence Support UK does not award grants and cannot influence any decision.

Councils may operate emergency assistance, local welfare support, crisis payments, Council Tax Reduction and Discretionary Housing Payments. Names and rules vary widely.

Find your council on GOV.UK and then search its website for:

• welfare assistance
• emergency support
• crisis help
• cost-of-living support
• Council Tax Reduction
• Discretionary Housing Payment

Benefits and support are not identical throughout the UK. Always use the route for the nation where you live.

• England and Wales: GOV.UK benefits and Citizens Advice.
• Scotland: mygov.scot, Social Security Scotland and Citizens Advice Scotland.
• Wales: GOV.WALES for Welsh Government schemes, and Citizens Advice Cymru, which delivers the Advicelink Cymru advice service.
• Northern Ireland: nidirect and Advice NI.

If you live in Northern Ireland, do not apply through an England-only route: social security is administered separately there, even where a benefit has the same name.

• Read the decision letter or your online journal carefully.
• Check the stated reason for the decision and the decision date.
• Ask for help quickly, because time limits for challenging a decision may apply.
• A benefits adviser can explain mandatory reconsideration, redetermination or appeal, and help you put your case.
• The correct process depends on which benefit it is and which UK nation you live in.
• Keep copies of forms, evidence, journal messages and letters.
• Report any change of circumstances through the correct official channel.
• Ask about emergency support if the decision leaves your household without food, energy or secure housing.

Time limits are not the same for every benefit or nation, so follow the deadline stated on your own decision letter and the current official guidance for that benefit.

Payments can sometimes be reduced because of:

• repayment of an advance
• a benefit overpayment
• rent or utility deductions
• court fines or other debts
• a benefit sanction

Check your statement, ask the relevant department to explain in writing what has been taken and why, and get independent advice. Repayment rates can sometimes be negotiated, and overpayment decisions can sometimes be challenged.

Do not ignore official correspondence, and do not stop agreed repayments without taking advice first.

Savings, capital, property and changes in your household can affect some means-tested benefits but not all benefits. Some payments, such as certain disability benefits, are not means-tested at all.

There is no single savings limit that applies to everything, so please do not assume a figure you have read elsewhere applies to your situation. Use a benefits calculator or speak to an adviser, especially where inheritance, compensation, a property sale or a partner moving in or out is involved.

Immigration status and a “no recourse to public funds” condition can affect access to benefits, but some support may still be available depending on your circumstances — for example certain local authority duties, NHS care in some situations, or benefits linked to a partner or child.

This page does not provide immigration advice. Check GOV.UK and speak to a properly regulated immigration adviser or a specialist welfare rights service before making a claim, because a claim can sometimes affect your immigration position.

Free, independent advice is particularly important when:

• a claim has been refused
• payments have stopped or been reduced
• there is an overpayment demand
• you are moving between benefits
• savings, property, inheritance or compensation are involved
• you are separating from, or moving in with, a partner
• you are self-employed
• immigration status is involved
• you are approaching pension age
• you are moving between UK nations
• a health condition makes forms or appointments difficult
• your household has no food, energy or safe housing

• GOV.UK — Benefits calculators
• GOV.UK — Check benefits and financial support you can get
• GOV.UK — Universal Credit
• GOV.UK — DWP Universal Credit official statistics
• GOV.UK — Find your local council
• NHS Business Services Authority — NHS Low Income Scheme
• Citizens Advice — Benefits and cost-of-living guidance
• Turn2us — Benefits Calculator
• Turn2us — Grants Search
• mygov.scot — Benefits
• Social Security Scotland
• GOV.WALES
• nidirect — Benefits and financial support
• Advice NI

This information is for general guidance and does not replace advice from a qualified benefits adviser. Benefit rules change regularly, so always check the current official guidance for your nation. Sixpence Support UK does not award benefits, issue food-bank vouchers or provide emergency payments, and we do not ask you to send us financial, medical or identification documents.