Claiming benefits and tax credits

If you're struggling with money, you should first check you are receiving all the benefits and tax credits you can claim.

There are different forms of support available depending on your individual and family circumstances. For example:

whether you are in work or out of work
if you're of working age or of pension age
if you have a disability or not
if you have children or other caring responsibilities.

You can claim benefits if you work or if you are unemployed. Support is free and you don't have to pay anything back.

Claiming the benefits you are entitled to can lead to additional support, such as free NHS dental treatment and eye tests, and cost of living support payments.

Before you get started, it’s a good idea to make sure you know:

your total income from any earnings you have
what your rent is (if applicable)
your Council Tax band
the cost of your childcare.

Use our benefit calculator to check what you could claim

How to claim 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

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.

Childcare

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.

Disability benefits

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

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.

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

Carers' Allowance

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.

Useful information

Setting up a basic bank account