

10-minute benefits check
Use our Benefits Calculator to find out what you can get
It's a common misconception that benefits are only available if you're out of work – but even some families with an income of £50,000 or more can qualify for help. With the cost of living rising, it's more important than ever to know what you're entitled to. Make sure you're not missing out: our 10-minute calculator will show you what you might qualify for and how much you could get.
Over 8 million households on benefits will get a one-off cash boost as part of the Government's new cost of living support package. We cover who's eligible, and how much you'll get here.

Benefits Calculator
In just 10 minutes know what you could be due
This free tool was built for MSE by benefits specialists Entitledto. Grab any info you've got on savings, income, pensions, and existing benefits – for you (and your partner) before you start.
- All details will be kept anonymous
- Most but not all benefits are covered
- We aim for accuracy, but see it as a ready reckoner, to see if you should investigate more with the relevant Government department.
Please complete all fields with an asterisk (*).
The Benefits Calculator will work out what you're due in low income support. It will also flag up some (but not all) relevant non-means-tested benefits that depend on circumstances such as your health. See the list below for a full rundown of what's available.
Please note that what you're entitled to depends on your exact circumstances. Make sure the info you put in is correct, and do any further research by calling the relevant Government office.
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Who qualifies for benefits?
The main thing to remember is benefits are NOT just for the unemployed. Even someone earning a high salary could be eligible for some help.
Even if your circumstances haven't changed, many rules have – so check out our Universal Credit and Benefits Calculator to see what you're entitled to.
Up to seven-and-a-half million households are missing out on £15 billion a year of means-tested benefits, the latest Government figures show. That's without adding on non means-tested benefits such as those for disabilities – so it's well worth a 10-minute check.
Warning. Scammers are targeting people on benefits by offering to 'help' them apply for interest-free Government loans. But once the scammer has your personal details, they're used to apply for universal credit, and big advanced payments. You could see your existing benefits stopped and be made responsible for repaying hefty amounts.
NEVER give out your personal details when contacted out of the blue – always double-check they're legit by contacting the Department for Work and Pensions or HM Revenue & Customs directly. For more on avoiding scams, see our Stop scams guide.

Benefits checklist
There's a long list of benefits so we've split it into four sections. You can jump straight to families, work, low income and health/elderly.
If you're making a new claim or your circumstances have changed, and you're due means-tested benefits, chances are you'll have to apply for universal credit. For more details, see our universal credit guide.
If you're already on certain means-tested benefits, you'll eventually be moved onto universal credit as part of a government process called "managed migration". However, you can choose to move over to universal credit, if you want to, and many will find they are better off - though there's no guarantee. Our Should I switch to universal credit? guide includes a calculator to help you check, and goes through the pros & cons of switching.
If nothing's changed in your circumstances and you're carrying on with an existing claim for means-tested benefits, we've listed them under their old names as these continue... for now. (We've pointed out the six that'll eventually be swallowed up into universal credit below.)
Support for those with a family
A raft of benefits are available if you have children. One of the main ones is child benefit, for those with dependent children (under 16) and earn under £60,000. Another key benefit is statutory maternity/paternity/adoption pay – this is available for those who are expecting a baby, are employed, have worked continuously at the same firm for six months or more and earn an average of £123 a week.
Some of the benefits in the low income section are also available for families, so check that list too.
Also see the Family MoneySaving guide for other MoneySaving tips.
Support for those in work or if you're looking for work
If you're in work (on a low income or paying for childcare) or looking for work, you might be entitled to some extra help.
The main benefit available is universal credit - though some people will be able to claim jobseeker's allowance.
If you're applying for one of these benefits and need help before the first payment is made, ask your Jobcentre Plus about getting a short-term advance. This is where money you'll be due is paid early (but obviously you don't then get it again later).
Support for those on a low income
These are benefits if you are on a low income (your household income determines if you're eligible) to help pay for day-to-day costs if you do not have money from elsewhere. Most are not paid if you have savings above £16,000.
The main ones are: universal credit, income support (for those who are not expected to look for work and receive the severe disability premium), and pension credit, which is available for those who have reached state pension age and who earn less than £182.60 if they're single or £278.70 if they're part of a couple.
If you're applying for one of these benefits and need help before the first payment is made, ask your Jobcentre Plus about getting a short-term advance. This is where money you'll be due is paid early (but obviously you won't get it later).
Also see our Low income grants guide for other free cash you may be eligible for.
Support for those who are ill, disabled or elderly
There are a few specific benefits to help those who are ill, disabled or elderly. They can be claimed on top of some of the benefits above.
The main ones are the state pension – for those who have hit state pension age having built up national insurance credits – and the personal independence payment, which is available for those aged 16 to 64 and have a health condition or disability that affects their daily life or makes it hard to move around.
Also see the Over-50s guide for other MoneySaving tips or for specific help if you, or a friend or family member, have been diagnosed with cancer, try the Macmillan Support Line.
Coronavirus forced you to take time off work? Check what help's available
There's still help available if you need to take time off of work due to coronavirus. This includes where you or your child is sick with the virus, where you've been officially instructed to self-isolate (for example, by the NHS Covid-19 app, in those UK countries where these rules still apply), and where you've been advised to self-isolate by a doctor or other medical professional ahead of surgery.
If you have to take time off work, and are worried about the financial implications, your first port of call should be to check out the following options:
- Check your sick pay entitlement. If you're in work you'll usually be entitled to some form of sick leave pay. Check out our Sick pay rights guide to see what you might be entitled to.
- Consider universal credit or new-style employment and support allowance (ESA). If you're not eligible for any sick pay – for example you're self-employed, or don't earn enough to qualify – universal credit and ESA may go some way to cover your dip in earnings. Don't treat it as a matter of one or the other: you can apply for both at the same time – the amount of universal credit you receive will simply be adjusted if your ESA claim is successful. Use our benefits checker to see if you're eligible.
- Check if you qualify for an isolation payment. If you receive certain means-tested benefits (including universal credit), live in Wales or Scotland, and you have to self-isolate, you're eligible for a support payment for each period of self-isolation you're required to undertake. You can get this EVERY time you need to isolate. See how to claim the isolation payment.
Where to get free help
If you're struggling for cash, go to a Citizens Advice bureau or one of the network of independent advice centres for a one-on-one detailed benefits check-up.
Our forum can provide lots of help too...
A further huge info resource is the Benefits and Tax Credits section in the MSE Forum, where a number of Citizens Advice-trained people and others voluntarily help out answering people's questions. A good place to start is the Useful Links thread. Special thanks to Fran, Alwaysonthego, Fermi and Kimitatsu for organising it.
And if you've serious money worries or debt problems...
This site lists lots of ways to help you try to cut costs, but the first place to start is our Debt problems guide. No debt problems are insoluble and this guide will help you.
If you've also got mental health problems, special solutions apply. For a full guide to handling debts when stressed, working with banks, getting free one-to-one debt counselling and tips for bipolar and depression sufferers, read our free Mental Health & Debt Help PDF booklet.

Spotted out of date info/broken links? Email: brokenlink@moneysavingexpert.com
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