Claiming 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

Claiming benefits can be complicated and confusing. This page outlines our top tips. 

If you are having problems with a benefit claim, your local Shelter advice centre may be able to help. Many of our local services have advisers specialising in benefits as well as housing. Alternatively, a local Citizen’s Advice Bureau or other advice centre may be able to help you. Use our directory to find services in your area.

Who can apply for benefits and tax credits?

You may be able to get benefits if you:

• are unemployed
• have a low income
• have children
• are sick or disabled
• are a full-time carer
• have been bereaved.

You may be able to get tax credits if you:

• have children, or
• are working but have a low income.

Can I get more than one benefit or tax credit at a time?

Yes, you may be entitled to more than one benefit at the same time. However, it can often be difficult to work out which benefits you may be entitled to, and receiving some benefits may affect your entitlement to others.

How do I make an application?

To apply for most benefits you will need to complete a form, which you can get from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) website, or your local JobCentre Plus. They should be able to tell you which form(s) you will need to complete. You should return any paperwork as quickly as possible. If you can, hand in your completed form in person and get a receipt in case you have problems later. Where possible, take photocopies of all of the available forms.

You may be able to make claims for pension credit, income support, and jobseeker’s allowance over the phone, and you can claim some benefits online.

You will normally need to provide your national insurance number and possibly proof of your income. If you don’t have this information, your claim could be stopped or delayed. If you are having problems providing this information, use our Advice Services Directory to find help in your area.

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),
• any savings or other assets you (or your partner) have, including any redundancy payments you may have received
• your age and personal circumstances (such as whether you have children or a partner).

Many Shelter 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.

The do’s and dont’s of applying for benefits

Whatever benefits you are applying for, here are some basic rules on what you should and shouldn’t do:

• DO claim as soon as possible – some benefits can be backdated but others cannot and you could lose out on money you are entitled to if you don’t claim as soon as possible. It can often take a while for benefit claims to be processed, so the sooner you apply, the sooner you’ll get your money.
• DO take somebody with you to any interviews if you feel you need support
• DO keep photocopies of all the forms you send in, in case your application gets lost
• DO keep a note of the name of anyone you speak to about your benefit claim, the date you spoke to them and what they said
• DO keep the relevant benefit agencies informed if your circumstances change in any way, for example if you move, get a (new) job or start a training/ college course
• DO take your national insurance number, proof of your identity (such as birth certificate or passport see Shelter’s benefits claim checklist)
• DO take your proof of your income (such as your benefit book or wage slips) with you when you apply for benefits.
• DON'T assume that you won't be eligible for a particular benefit. It's always worth asking an adviser to check.
• DON'T be tempted to lie about anything on the form. If you are found out you will have to pay back any money that you have received that you were not entitled to. If you deliberately lie in order to claim benefit, you could be prosecuted.

You should not be afraid to ask for help, or be put off from making a claim. Staff at the DWP and Jobcentres are there to help you. Your local Shelter advice centre may also be able to help. Many of our local services have advisers specialising in benefits as well as housing.

Alternatively, Citizens Advice or another advice centre in your area may be able to help you. Use our directory to find services in your area.

You can download this checklist here.

What benefits can I claim?

You can find out what benefits you maybe entitled to by using the benefit adviser questionnaire on the Directgov website, then use the online calculators at the EntitledTo website to work out how much you’re likely to get. Turn2us is another useful website that can help you work out what you can claim.

If you have problems, or need help with your claim, contact a local advice centre - use our directory to find services in your area. 

Where can I get help with benefit claims?

Your local Shelter advice centre may be able to advise you on benefits. Many of our local services have advisers specialising in benefits as well as housing. Alternatively, Citizens Advice or other local advice agencies may be able to help you. Use our directory to find services in your area.

An adviser may be able to help you to:

• find out what you are entitled to
• fill-in application forms
• check that you are receiving the correct amount
• put in an appeal if your application for benefits is turned down.

If you are disabled, you can call the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882 200 for help with filling in benefit forms. If you are deaf or have a hearing impairment you can use the minicom line 0800 24 33 55.

You can also find out more about benefits at the DWP’s A-Z of Benefits website and at the Jobcentre Plus website. The EntitledTo website has online calculators to help you work out which benefits you can claim.