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Universal Credit is replacing 6 other benefits with a single monthly payment if you're out of work or on a low income - eligibility, how to prepare.

• What Universal Credit is

  Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid…

• Eligibility

  You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or need…

• What you'll get

  Universal Credit is paid monthly. How much you get depends on: your…

• How your wages affect your payments

  If you or your partner are working, how much Universal Credit you get will…

• How you're paid

  Universal Credit is paid once a month, usually into your bank, building…

• How to claim

  You can apply for Universal Credit online. You need to create an account…

• Get an advance on your first payment

  If you need help to pay your bills or cover other costs while you wait for…

• Your claimant commitment

  To get Universal Credit payments, you’ll need to accept an agreement…

• Report a change of circumstances

  You need to report changes to your circumstances so you keep getting the…

• Financial help and support

  If you need financial support, you can get help and advice from the…

Student finance - student loans or student grants for tuition fees and living costs, extra help, student loan repayments.

• Overview

  You may be able to borrow money to help pay for university or college…

• New full-time students

  You can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan if your course…

• Continuing full-time students

  What you’re eligible for depends on when your course starts. If your…

• Part-time students

  You may be able to get a loan if your part-time course has a ‘course…

• Extra help

  Check on the student finance calculator to see what extra help you might…

• Eligibility

  Whether you qualify for student finance depends on: your university or…

• Apply

  Find out how to apply for student finance. Parents or partners of students…

What Tax-Free Childcare is, eligibility and how to apply

Guidance on getting extra payments to help with the cost of living if you’re entitled to certain benefits or tax credits.

• Updated: 23 February 2024

How to confirm your income and support a student's application for loans or grants - when to submit, which tax year, and change your details.

Apply to your local council for Council Tax Reduction if you're on a low income or benefits - this replaced Council Tax Benefit

Student finance calculator - get a quick estimate of what student loans, grants, bursaries and other funding you could get - for full-time, part-time and EU students

How to apply for student finance - when to apply, deadlines, proof of identity, parents, income, change an application.

Pension Credit is extra money for pensioners to bring your weekly income up to a minimum amount - what you'll get, apply, eligibility.

Housing Benefit or Local Housing Allowance (LHA) - rates, eligibility, claim form, calculator, appeals, 'Discretionary Housing Payment'.

Apply for Carer's Allowance - money to help you look after someone who needs to be cared for. Apply online or use form DS700.

Your Council Tax bill - how to work it out, who has to pay, discounts and exemptions for students and disabled people, second homes, empty properties, paying the bill and getting the Council Tax rebate.

Get a family visa for the UK, live with your spouse or relative - eligibility, proof, renewing, financial and English language requirements.

Check if you're eligible for a student loan, find out how much you can get, how to apply and when you start repaying.

Apply for British citizenship if you have indefinite leave to remain (ILR) - form AN, who's eligible, fees and how to apply.

Universal Credit can include help with housing costs - paying your landlord, what to do if you cannot pay your rent, other help you can get.

Apply for a Skilled Worker visa (formerly a Tier 2 General work visa) if you’ve been offered a skilled job with a UK employer - eligibility, fees, documents, extend, switch or update, bring your partner and children, taking …

Apply for a Health and Care Worker visa (formerly a Tier 2 Health and Care visa) if you're a medical professional who's been offered a job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care - eligibility, fees, documents, extend or switch, bring your family, taking on additional work…

How you can show you know English when you apply for citizenship and to settle in the UK, and when you do not have to

Apply for a British National (Overseas) visa (known as a BNO visa) to live, work and study in the UK if you or a family member are from Hong Kong and registered as a British national (overseas).