Other information and guides on benefits available
For more information on how to find advice on the benefits you qualify for, and on help available to help you claim these benefits.
What benefits you qualify for
Many people are missing out on thousands of pounds not knowing what benefits they qualify for. Check what you are entitled to now.
Use an online benefits calculator to check support you can get from means-tested benefits, including help to pay your Council Tax and housing costs.
Find out how to apply for benefits on the Gov.UK website.
Claiming benefits can also help you to access other financial help, like free NHS dental treatment and eye tests, cost of living payments and discounts on energy and transport. For more information on these passported benefits visit Entitledto.
For further guidance, visit:
- benefits on the Citizens Advice website
- what are benefits on the Turn2us website
- 10 minute benefit check on the Money Saving Expert website
How benefit advisers can help
Claiming benefits and tax credits can be difficult to do on your own. It can also be difficult understanding whether you are getting the right level of financial support from benefits and how to make claims.
Many people find they need help at some point when applying for benefits. Getting advice from a benefit adviser can help make the process easier.
A benefit adviser can:
- help you to apply for benefits
- help you to deal with benefits disputes, benefits deductions and delays
- explain what additional financial support you can claim
- check whether you are getting the correct benefit at the correct level
Other agencies who provide benefit advice
As well as local advice agencies, there are other places you can go to access information and advice
For information on where to find advice, please visit our directory of local advice services webpage.
There are different types of benefit support available depending on your individual and family circumstances, such as:
- 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.
The following charities offer benefit guides and advice lines:
- Working Families - for working parents and carers who have children
- Gingerbread - for lone parents
- Contact - for families with disabled children
- Carers UK - for unpaid carers
- Disability Rights UK - for people with health conditions or disabilities
- Macmillan - for people affected by cancer
- Independent Age - for people facing financial hardship in later life
To get advice on claiming Universal Credit contact Citizens Advice Help to Claim service by free phone on 0800 144 8444 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
Benefits and debt
If you're struggling with money and debt, check you are receiving all the benefits and tax credits you can claim.
If you are having difficulty paying off rent arrears, or debts to your gas, electricity or water supplier, you can have money deducted from your benefits to pay these debts and ongoing bills. A benefit adviser can provide advice on this.
For more information on support for people in debt visit the Citizens Advice website.
If you don’t have enough money to live on, or to pay essential bills and buy food, visit our support for people in crisis webpage.
To receive DWP benefits, you will need a bank or building society account for your payments to be made in to. If you do not have a bank or building society account, visit Money Helper for information on how to set up a basic bank account.