Types of benefits
Benefits are a means of financial help you can claim from the government. They give people support in order to live their lives, or to help them while they find work.
There are a range of benefits that people can apply for to help in different circumstances. Some benefits are administered by other local authorities and some are administered by central government.
The GOV.UK website has details of all the benefits, including those listed below:
Types of Benefits
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a new benefit to support you if you are working and are on a low income or you are out of work. It is a single monthly payment and replaces some of the benefits and tax credits you might be getting, including -
- Housing Benefit
- Child Tax Credit
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
- Income related Employment and Support Allowance.
Find out if you are eligible for Universal Credit
Apply for Universal Credit online
Jobseekers Allowance
Jobseeker's Allowance is an unemployment benefit for people who are actively seeking work. There are two types:
- New Style Jobseeker's Allowance: This is based on your National Insurance contributions and is not means-tested. You can receive it for up to 6 months.
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance: This is means-tested and based on your income and savings. However, it has largely been replaced by Universal Credit.
To qualify for Jobseeker's Allowance, you must be:
- Unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week.
- Available for and actively seeking work.
- Under the State Pension age
Apply for New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance
Benefits and financial support if you're disabled or have a health condition
The Gov.uk website has information on some of the key types of help you can find:
- Disability Benefits: Includes Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children, and Attendance Allowance.
- Employment Support: Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Access to Work grants.
- Housing and Home Adaptations: Disabled Facilities Grants and help with housing costs.
- Transport and Mobility: Blue Badge scheme, vehicle tax exemption, and the Motability Scheme.
- Other Financial Support: Universal Credit, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, and various allowances for specific conditions
Benefits and financial support if you're disabled or have a health condition - GOV.UK
Family Benefits
Some of the key benefits include:
- Child Benefit: Regular payments to help with the cost of raising a child.
- Maternity and Paternity Pay and Leave: Financial support and leave entitlements for new parents.
- Adoption Pay and Leave: Support for those adopting a child.
- Childcare Costs: Help with paying for childcare, including Childcare Grant and Care to Learn.
- Support for Disabled Children: Includes Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children and Disabled Facilities Grants.
- Free School Meals: Assistance with school meal costs for eligible families.
- Healthy Start: Vouchers for pregnant women and families with young children to buy healthy food and vitamins.
Benefits and financial support for families - GOV.UK
Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It’s being replaced by Universal Credit.
You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:
- you have reached State Pension age
- you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing
Benefits and financial support when someone dies
- Bereavement Support Payment: Financial support for those whose partner has died .
- Funeral Expenses Payment: Help with the cost of a funeral if you are on certain benefits .
- Widowed Parent's Allowance: Support for parents who have lost their partner
- War Widow(er) Pension: Financial support for those whose partner died as a result of service in the armed forces
- Guardian's Allowance: Financial support for those looking after a child whose parents have died