Benefits

The benefits system is designed to make sure that there is a minimum standard of living for everyone and My Advice Gateway provides information on how benefits are claimed and paid.

Details of planned changes to the benefit system can be found at here.

An A-Z of the Benefits System is available from GOV.UK and further information is available at CitizensAdvice, Turn2us, AgeUK and MoneyHelper.

Benefits categories

Family and Children

CHILD TRUST FUND/JUNIOR ISAs

The Child Trust Fund was a savings and investment account that you could open for your child with money that the Government gives you. They ...

Benefits

HOUSING BENEFIT

Housing Benefit is a payment to help people on a low income to pay their rent. You cannot receive the benefit if you have a ...

Sick or disabled

COMMUNITY CARE GRANT – LOCAL PROVISION

Community Care Grants have been replaced by a new local provision. The new provision will be administered by local authorities in England and the devolved ...

Benefits

DISCRETIONARY HOUSING PAYMENT

If you are already receiving Housing Benefit you may be able to get additional help from your local council if you are struggling to pay ...

Benefits

INCOME SUPPORT

Income Support has been replaced by Universal Credit (UC) for most people. If you already receive Income Support and you are still eligible your Income ...

Benefits

COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT

If you pay Council Tax and you are on a low income and have savings of less than £16,000, you may be eligible for Local ...

Benefits

JOBSEEKER’S ALLOWANCE

Jobseeker’s Allowance is the main benefit for people who are unemployed but are capable of working and are looking for a job. In order to ...

Benefits

WORKING TAX CREDIT

Working Tax Credit is a payment for people who are working but are on a low income. You can receive the payment if you are ...

Benefits

SUPPORT FOR MORTGAGE INTEREST

If you’re a homeowner getting certain income related benefits you might be able to get help towards interest payments on your mortgage and some loans ...

Benefits

THE SOCIAL FUND & OTHER PAYMENTS

The Social Fund is a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) scheme to help people who are on low income with certain one-off or occasional ...

Benefits

BENEFIT CAP

From April 2013, the Government introduced a cap on the total amount of benefit that people aged 16 to 64 can receive. If you are ...

Benefits

APPEALS, COMPLAINTS AND BENEFIT FRAUD

If you are unhappy about a decision regarding your benefit, benefit claim, tax credits or National Insurance you can ask for more information, an explanation ...

Benefits

REPORTING BENEFIT FRAUD

Benefit fraud costs the taxpayer over a billion pounds every year. If you know or have a strong suspicion that someone is committing benefit fraud ...