1. Temporary licence
Prisoners released on temporary license cannot get means tested benefits like Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, and Income Support.
Prisoners released on temporary license can get non-means tested benefits but cannot get New Style JSA.
Reviewed: April 2022
2. Home curfew
If you are released early from prison on an electronic tag (Home Detention Curfew), you can claim most benefits in the normal way. If you can’t claim Jobseeker's Allowance or Universal Credit because your curfew limits the times you are available for work, or the places you can travel to, you can apply to court to get the conditions changed.
Reviewed: April 2022
3. Benefits when released from prison
4. Other help
You may be able to apply to your local authority's Local Welfare Assistance scheme for help to re-establish yourself in the community following a stay in prison. What help is available will depend on your local scheme. See our Emergency Information guide information on Local Welfare Assistance funds for further details.
You may also receive a discharge grant from the prison to help with living costs before your benefits come through.
Reviewed: April 2022