Other benefits

This content applies to England only.

Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. This page applies to England only. Get advice relating to Scotland

You may be able to get money from the government to help increase your income. There are many different types of welfare benefits available and it's important to check whether you are getting everything you are entitled to.

What benefits can I claim?

More information about each of the following benefits is available on the A to Z of Welfare Benefits website.

Job seeker's allowance

Job seeker's allowance is paid to unemployed people who are registered as capable of working and actively seeking employment. It is based on your National Insurance (NI) contributions. You may be eligible if you are looking for work and are under 65 (for men) or under 60 (for women).

Income support

Income Support is intended to ensure that no-one's income is below a certain minimum amount. You may be eligible if you are aged 16 or over and are on a low income. You may also get it if you are working less than 16 hours a week but and have less than £8,000 in savings.

Council tax benefit

This can help you to pay your council tax but paying all or part of your monthly council tax bill. You don't necessarily have to be getting any other benefits and it does not matter if you already get a discount on your council tax (for example, if you live alone).

Child benefit

Child benefit can be paid to any person who is bringing up children. You get a set amount for each child and it is not affected by your income or savings.

Disability living allowance

You may be eligible for DLA if you need help with day-to-day living because of a physical or mental illness or disability.

Incapacity benefit

You may be eligible for incapacity benefit if you have been unable to work because of sickness or disability for at least 4 days in a row (including weekends and public holidays). You may be eligible even if you can't get statutory sick pay.

Invalid care allowance

This is money to help full-time carers who are unable to work. However, it may affect your other benefits and/or benefits the person you look is entitled to.

Winter fuel payments

These payments can help with winter heating bills for eligible households that include someone aged 60 or over.

Bereavement Allowance

If you are a widow or widower, bereavement allowance can be paid for 52 weeks from the date your husband or wife died. It is based on her/his National Insurance contributions.

How are benefits calculated?

For most benefits, the amount you get depends on:

• your income (combined with your partner's, if you are living together), including any redundancy payments you may have received
• any savings or other assets you (or your partner) have
• your age and personal circumstances (such as whether you have children or are part of a couple)

Many advice centres have staff who specialise in benefits. They can check whether you are getting all the help you are entitled to and that the amount you get has been calculated correctly.

How do I make an application?

To apply for most benefits you will need to fill in a form, which you can get from your local council office or from your local Jobcentre Plus office. You can ask if you are not sure which form you need to complete. You should fill in and return any paperwork as quickly as possible. If possible, hand in your completed form in person and get a receipt in case there are problems later. Take photocopies of everything if you can.

You will normally need to provide your National Insurance number and possibly proof of your identity (such as a birth certificate) and proof of your income (such as your benefit book or wage slips). If you don't provide this information your claim could be stopped or delayed. If you are having problems providing this information, get advice. Use our advice services directory to find a citizens advice bureau or housing aid centre in your area.