Download the State benefits guide
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There is a wide range of state benefits available. If you’re struggling to make ends meet or your income could do with a boost, claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to can make a big difference.
You can navigate through the guide using the table of contents, or if you'd like to read the guide end-to-end in full, you can download the PDF.
- Who's entitled to benefits?
- What help is available?
- Pensions and state benefits
- Find out what you're entitled to
Who’s entitled to benefits?
Your right to benefits will depend on your individual circumstances or those of your household. For example, you may be entitled to benefits if you are sick, lose your job, are on a low income, have children, are over State Pension age, have a disability, become a carer or are recently bereaved.
There are a large number of different benefits available.
What help is available?
The benefits system can seem daunting but there is plenty of help available. This ranges from online benefits calculators, which will tell you what benefits you might qualify for, to expert advisers who you can talk to for help and advice. You may also be entitled to help from your local authority with your housing costs or Council Tax.
As well as state benefits, there are also grants available from charitable organisations for people on a low income and other types of help such as schemes and grants to help towards your energy costs, water bills and energy efficiency measures.
Pensions and state benefits
Some state benefits are means-tested. This means the amount you get and whether you qualify at all depends on how much income and capital (savings and investments) you have.
Means-tested benefits include:
- Tax Credits
- Housing Benefit
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
It’s important to understand that the decisions you make about taking money from your pension pot may affect your entitlement to these benefits.
If you are below state pension age, the money you take out of your pension will count towards your income or capital. That means if you take money out of your pension, it may mean you receive less in means-tested benefits, or are not able to claim them. The amount left in your pension pot won’t count towards your income or capital.
If you are over state pension age, it’s more complicated. The government expects you to use the money in your pension to support yourself. So even if you leave your pension pot untouched, it can still be taken into account when working out if you’re entitled to means-tested benefits. And if you only take a small income from your pension pot, your entitlement to benefits may not be based on this amount but on an amount that the government thinks you could have taken. This is called your ‘notional income’.
Citizens Advice has useful information about how taking money from your pension may affect the benefits you’re able to claim.
Find out what you’re entitled to
We have a long term, strategic partnership with Turn2Us, our flagship charity partner, to help more people build their financial resilience to life shocks.
Turn2Us provide a free, confidential and independent benefits calculator, helping people to find out which state benefits they may be entitled to. You can use the calculator on this page to see what help you could receive.
You can also find benefits calculators at:
- Turn2us or call the helpline on 0808 802 2000
- Entitledto
- Better off calculator
To use the calculators, you’ll need accurate information about your:
- savings
- income, including your partner’s (from payslips, for example)
- existing benefits and pensions (including anyone living with you)
- outgoings (such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments)
- Council Tax bill
You can check what grants you might be entitled to at:
You can find out about the different benefits available at:
Where to get advice
There are a number of organisations that can provide you with information and advice on the state benefits and grants you might be able to claim.
For advice on benefits, housing, jobs, legal issues and other practical help
Help for older people
- Age UK information and advice or call the helpline on 0800 678 1602
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer
- Macmillan information and support or call the helpline on 0808 808 0000
If you have a terminal illness
- Marie Curie benefits entitlement or call the helpline on 0800 090 2309
If you’re caring for someone
- Carers UK financial support or call the helpline on 0808 808 7777
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