• Benefits
  • A-Z of Benefits
  • Benefits Changes
  • Universal Credit
  • Claiming and managing benefits
    • What is the benefits system?
    • Checking benefit entitlement
    • Claiming benefits
    • Challenges and Complaints
    • Change in circumstances
    • Overpayments
    • Fraud investigations
  • Who to contact to make a claim
  • Benefits Subject Groups
  • Armed Forces
  • Bereavement
  • Carers
  • Education costs
  • Expecting or bringing up child
  • Housing costs
  • Illness, Injury and Disability
  • Migrants
  • People aged 60 and over
  • Prisoners
  • Social Fund
  • Working or looking for work
  • Young People
• Grants
• Managing Money
• Tax
• Useful Tools
• Ask an Expert
• Government consultations

Beginner's guide to benefits

If you're new to benefits read this quick guide. It takes you right through the claiming process from checking your entitlement to receiving a payment and beyond.

• What is the benefits system?

  Read how the benefits and tax credits system works.

• Checking benefit entitlement

  You can use our Benefits Calculator to check your entitlement. Read our quick guide to find out how to use this online tool.

• Claiming benefits

  Learn how to claim benefits, how payments are received, and what to do if your circumstances change.

• Challenges and complaints

  Discover the steps you can take if you are unhappy with a benefit or tax credit decision or the service you have received.

• Change in circumstances

  Find out which changes you should report and how.