Claiming benefits and tax credits

Claiming the benefits and tax credits you are entitled to can be difficult to do on your own, but there are organisations which can help you and make the process easier.

Find out how to apply on the government's website.

Find guidance through the process on Turn2us, Citizens Advice and Money Saving Expert websites.

You need a bank account to receive benefits. If you don't already have a bank account, or you don't qualify for a standard current account, you can set up a fee-free basic bank account with a bank.

Universal Credit is the main benefit for working age people and can help you pay for living and housing costs. Universal Credit is available if you are in or out of work, employed or self-employed and covers a wide range of support, so it is worth checking if you could be claiming.

You may also be asked to move to Universal Credit from other benefits.

You can apply for Universal Credit through the government’s website. If you need help with your application, there is also a ‘Help to claim’ service available from Citizens Advice.

Hyde Housing has a Universal Credit Helper Tool that guides you through the process and can be translated into several languages. 

If you are already claiming Universal Credit and need support managing your claim, first contact your work coach at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) but there are several advice organisations who offer guidance to manage your claim, such as Turn2Us and Money Saving Expert.

The government provides a number of support schemes to help families pay for childcare costs. The government's Childcare Choices website has a range of information about different offers and entitlements, including:

• tax-free childcare
• 15 hours free childcare for eligible two-year-olds
• 14 hours free childcare for three and four-year-olds
• 30 hours free childcare for working families with three and four-year-olds
• tax credits for childcare
• Universal Credit for childcare.

If you are Deaf or disabled you may be entitled to additional benefits. 

You can find information about this from most general benefit services who may ask you questions about your disability and what support you might need. There are also organisations like Disability Rights UK who provide specialist information about how to get support.

For more information about financial support you can get if you're Deaf or Disabled, visit our section on support for Deaf and Disabled Londoners.

Pension Credit is a benefit for people above the state pension age to ensure everyone has a certain level of income.

There are two parts to Pension Credit. The first part is Guarantee Credit which guarantees a minimum weekly income and the second is Savings Credit which can provide some income depending on your savings. Pension Credit can make you eligible for other forms of support like council tax reduction, dental costs and cold weather payments.

Find out more about Pension Credit.

You can also find further information on Pension Credit on the government website, Age UK website and Independent Age website.

Carer's Allowance is the main benefit for carers. You might be able to get it you care for someone who is on the care component of Disability Living Allowance at the middle or highest rate, or if they get the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment.

Carers UK has advice on claiming Carer's Allowance and other financial support for unpaid carers.

Setting up a basic bank account

You need a bank account to receive benefits. If you don't already have a bank account, or you don't qualify for a standard current account, you can set up a fee-free basic bank account with a bank.

This could be because you haven’t been able to build up a credit history. Or maybe you have a poor credit history because of money problems and want to use a fee-free basic bank account until you qualify for a standard current account again.

Visit Money Helper for information about how to choose and apply for a basic bank account.