Introduction to benefits
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Welfare benefits are
paid to make sure that there is a minimum standard of living that
no one should fall below.
They can help you if you:
- are on a low income
- are out of work
- have children
- are pregnant
- are sick or disabled
- have been bereaved
- are a carer.
There are basically two sorts of benefits:
- Means–tested benefits. These are paid even if you have not paid enough national insurance contributions. But you will not get them if your income and/or savings are above a certain amount
- non means-tested benefits. You have a right to these benefits if you paid enough national insurance contributions. It does not matter what other money you have.
Our information gives you brief details of all the main benefits, both means-tested and non means-tested. We explain who has the right to claim which benefit and how to make a claim.
Who administers benefits?
Different organisations administer different benefits.
- Most benefits are paid by a Government department, for example, the Pension Service, the Department for Work and Pensions or HM Revenue and Customs
- Some benefits are paid by your local council
- Your employer pays some benefits, then claims the money back from the Government.
Unclaimed benefits and backdating
The benefits system is very complicated and many people do not know what they are entitled to. It is estimated that billions of pounds of benefits go unclaimed each year. Even very small increases in the money you have coming in could make a big difference to you. Remember if you have the right to a benefit, you might be able to backdate your claim.
Further help
It can be complicated to work out if you qualify for some benefits. Turn2us Benefit Checker can help you calculate your eligibility.
You can get more information about each welfare benefit from the Government's website, Directgov, including the organisation responsible for each benefit and where to get more advice.
Information about benefits is available in a number of community languages and different formats, for example, in large print or Braille. Also if you need an interpreter to help you talk to someone in a government department or your local council, they should provide this. You will need to contact the benefits office directly to find out about getting this help.
This information has been produced by Citizens Advice.
Link to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Benefits
Date of publication: 5 November 2008
Available benefits
What to do if your claim for benefits is refused
What to do if your claim is refused or you are unhappy with a decision.
Complaints about your benefits claim
What to do if you have a complaint about how your claim was handled.