Who Can Claim UK Benefits?

If you are aged 16 to 24, you may think benefits are not for you — but there is a range of support designed for young people in different situations. Whether you are leaving care, starting work, studying, or struggling with housing costs, you may be entitled to financial help.

Young people leaving local authority care can often access Universal Credit from age 18 (or 16 in some cases), along with help from their local council's leaving care team. If you are living independently, you may be eligible for Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit to help cover rent. Full-time students are generally exempt from Council Tax entirely.

If you are a young parent, you can claim Child Benefit regardless of your income or age. You may also qualify for Universal Credit, Healthy Start vouchers, and free childcare support. The key point is that being young does not prevent you from claiming — many benefits have no minimum age requirement beyond 16 or 18.

Raising children comes with significant costs, and the benefits system provides support for parents and families across a wide range of circumstances. Importantly, many of these benefits are available to working families — not only those who are out of work.

Child Benefit is available to anyone responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 in approved education), regardless of income. If you are on a low income, Universal Credit includes a child element for each child. Single parents may receive additional support. Pregnant women on qualifying benefits can apply for the Sure Start Maternity Grant (a one-off £500 payment) and Healthy Start vouchers for food and vitamins.

Free School Meals are available for children in families receiving qualifying benefits — and registering also brings Pupil Premium funding to your child's school. If you are looking after a child whose parents have died, Guardian's Allowance provides additional financial support on top of Child Benefit.

If you live with a long-term health condition, disability, or mental health condition, there is a range of benefits designed to help with the extra costs you face. These benefits recognise that living with a health condition often means higher day-to-day expenses — from mobility aids and adapted housing to additional heating and personal care.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is the main disability benefit for working-age adults. It is not means-tested, so you can receive it regardless of your income, savings, or whether you work. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) covers children under 16. Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) provides financial support if your health affects your ability to work, and Universal Credit includes additional elements for people with limited capability for work.

Both physical and mental health conditions can qualify for these benefits. Conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, epilepsy, and learning disabilities are all recognised. Receiving PIP can also unlock further support including the Blue Badge, Motability Scheme, and Carer's Allowance for someone who helps you.

If you spend a significant amount of time looking after a relative, friend, or partner who has a disability or health condition, you may be a carer — even if you do not think of yourself as one. Around 5 million people in the UK provide unpaid care, and many do not realise they could be entitled to financial support.

Carer's Allowance is the main benefit for carers, paying up to £81.90 per week if you care for someone at least 35 hours per week. The person you care for needs to receive a qualifying disability benefit such as PIP or Attendance Allowance. You do not need to be related to them or live with them.

Even if you cannot receive Carer's Allowance directly (for example, because you receive a State Pension), having an “underlying entitlement” can still add a carer's premium to your Pension Credit or a carer element to your Universal Credit. Carer's Credit also protects your National Insurance record and future State Pension if you are unable to work due to caring responsibilities.

People over State Pension age are entitled to a range of benefits, many of which go unclaimed. Pension Credit alone is missed by an estimated 850,000 eligible households, with the average unclaimed amount being around £3,900 per year. Pension Credit is also a “gateway benefit” that can unlock several other forms of support.

Attendance Allowance is for people aged 65 or over who need help with personal care due to a health condition. It pays up to £110.40 per week and is not affected by your income or savings. You do not need to have a carer to claim — it is based on the help you need, not whether you currently receive it.

If you receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, you may also qualify for full Council Tax Reduction, the Warm Home Discount (£150/year off electricity), free NHS dental treatment and sight tests, a free TV licence if aged 75 or over, and Cold Weather Payments during cold spells. Winter Fuel Payment provides £100 to £300 per year to help with heating costs.

A common misconception is that you cannot claim benefits if you are working. In fact, in-work benefits exist specifically to top up low wages and help with essential costs. Millions of working people in the UK receive some form of benefit support.

Universal Credit is available to working people on low income. It is designed so that you always keep a proportion of what you earn — for every £1 earned above your work allowance, your benefit reduces by 55p. This means taking on more hours always increases your total income. If you have children or a health condition, the work allowance is higher before any deduction starts.

Council Tax Reduction may be available even if you are working. Healthy Start vouchers are for pregnant women and families with young children on qualifying benefits. Free prescriptions may be available depending on your circumstances. If you are on a zero-hours contract or your income fluctuates, your Universal Credit adjusts each month to reflect your actual earnings.

If you have lost your job, been made redundant, or are between jobs, the benefits system provides financial support while you look for work. These are entitlements that you have paid into through National Insurance — they exist to help you through a difficult period.

Universal Credit is the main benefit for people who are unemployed. It covers your basic living costs, and can include additional elements for housing, children, and health conditions. New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) is available for up to 6 months if you have a strong National Insurance record, and can be claimed alongside Universal Credit.

If a health condition is part of the reason you are unable to work, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) may be more appropriate than JSA. You may also be eligible for Council Tax Reduction, Housing Benefit (if pension age), and help with NHS costs including free prescriptions and dental treatment.

Losing a husband, wife, civil partner, or parent is an incredibly difficult time. The benefits system provides financial support to help you manage during this period. Bereavement Support Payment is the main benefit — it provides a lump sum of up to £3,500 followed by up to £350 per month for 18 months.

To be eligible for Bereavement Support Payment, your spouse or civil partner needs to have paid National Insurance contributions, and you need to have been under State Pension age when they died. The benefit is not means-tested and does not affect other benefits you receive. You can claim within 21 months of the date of death, but it is best to claim within 3 months to receive the full amount.

If your circumstances have changed as a result of bereavement — for example, if your household income has reduced — you may also become eligible for Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Council Tax Reduction, or Housing Benefit. The Funeral Expenses Payment can help with funeral costs if you are on a qualifying benefit.