How can I find out if I could be claiming any benefits?

Many people aren’t fully aware of the benefits that may be available to them, causing them to potentially miss out on financial help that they’re entitled to. Whether you’re working, unemployed, a carer, or have a long-term health condition, there are various benefits out there to help support a range of different circumstances.

Wondering whether you could be claiming benefits but aren’t sure where to begin? We’ve pulled together a handy guide filled with all the need-to-know information. We’ll dive into the most common benefits, eligibility criteria, and how to find out what benefits you could claim.

What benefits can I claim?

From unemployment benefits to benefits designed to support children, carers, and those with long-term disabilities, there are various benefits available in the UK.

1. Universal Credit

Universal Credit is the main working-age benefit in the UK, designed to help those who may be on a low income or are unemployed. Nowadays, Universal Credit combines various different benefits, including Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance.

Universal Credit is paid monthly by The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and is designed to help with living costs. To claim Universal Credit, you must meet the following criteria:

• Aged 18 or over (minus a few exceptions if you’re aged 16-17)
• Under the State Pension age
• Living in the UK
• Have less than £16,000 in savings

For information on everything from standard allowances to extra payments, dive into our full Universal Credit guide.

2. Disability benefits

Living with a long-term disability or health condition can come with a range of financial pressures. So, it’s important to check whether you’re eligible for the disability benefits on offer. These include:

• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children

There’s a wide range of support available to those living with disabilities, along with specific benefits available to those who’ve been injured at work. The GOV.UK website has all the information you need on disability benefits and financial support.

3. Child Benefit

Child Benefit is a payment families in the UK can claim for their children, including those aged 16-19 in full-time, non-advanced education. It’s a non-means-tested payment, meaning anybody responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 in approved education or training) is eligible.

Being responsible for a child means that you’re either living with that child as a parent or primary caregiver, or paying at least the same amount you’d be receiving in child benefit towards caring for them.

Once again, the GOV.UK website has all the necessary insights on claiming Child Benefit.

4. Pension Credit

Pension Credit helps people with living costs who are over State Pension age and are on low income. It’s also designed to help with housing costs such as service charges or ground rent.

Pension Credit can top up your weekly income to £218.15 if you’re single. If you have a partner, this rises to a joint weekly income of £332.95. It’s separate from your State Pension, meaning you may be able to claim benefits even if you have savings or own a house.

5. Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income, or claiming other benefits. However, it’s currently being replaced by Universal Credit, meaning you can only make a claim if you’ve reached State Pension age or you’re in supported or temporary housing.

6. Carer’s Allowance

If you regularly care for someone, you might be eligible for carer’s allowance which is £81.90 a week. You don’t have to be related to or live with the person you care for, but you must care for them for at least 35 hours per week.

If you’re eligible for carer’s allowance, you may also find that you’re eligible for:

• Support from your local council
• Grants and bursaries to help pay for courses and training
• Pension Credit (if you’re over working age)
• Council tax reductions

What benefits am I entitled to?

Now that you’ve got a general understanding of the kinds of benefits that are available, the next step is to see if you qualify. Luckily, the GOV.UK website has handy benefit calculators which allow you to quickly determine your eligibility. Benefit calculators like these can give you an estimate of:

• The benefits you’re entitled to
• How much you might get paid
• How benefits can change over time (for instance, if your circumstances change)

Don’t forget, Citizens Advice also offers free support, guiding you on everything from eligibility criteria to application tips. Also, you can check with a local benefits adviser to see what you might be entitled to.

How to claim if you’re entitled

Once you’ve confirmed that you’re entitled to a certain benefit, the next step is starting the application process. Start by gathering any important information, including:

• Proof of income
• Identification documents
• Evidence of your disability (if relevant)
• Proof of living arrangements like rental or mortgage payments.

You can start many claims online – such as the Universal Credit application – but some require you to fill out paper forms or send additional documents via email. Once everything is filled out, you can submit it to the relevant department and wait for confirmation that it’s been received.

How much money can you have in the bank and still claim benefits in the UK?

Some benefits are affected by the amount of money you have in your savings, and these are called means-tested benefits. Some examples include:

• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit
• Tax Credits
• Council Tax Support
• Income Support

If you and/or your partner have £16,000 or more in savings, you won’t be entitled to Universal Credit for instance. Having savings over £10,000 can affect benefits like Pension Credit too. £6,000 is typically the threshold where savings begin to have an effect, however the rules vary depending on the benefits you may be applying for.

Make sure you’re not missing out on the support you’re entitled to

It’s easy to overlook the financial support available to you, but taking the time to check your eligibility can make a significant difference in improving your financial situation. By understanding the different kinds of benefits available, using free online eligibility checkers, and following the necessary steps to make your claim, you can make sure you’re receiving the support you need.

With many people missing out on unclaimed benefits, it’s definitely worth a quick check to assess your eligibility. And remember, if the process feels overwhelming or you’re unsure where to turn for guidance, organisations like Citizens Advice are there to point you in the right direction.

Feeling clued up on the topic of benefits and ready to dive into some additional insights? If so, it’s time to head over to the Moneyboat blog. Read all about our financial wellbeing tips as well as our guide on payday loans for the unemployed.