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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…

Find out what benefits you could get, how much you could get and how to claim…

Find out if you're eligible for free childcare for 2 to 4 year olds if you live in England - 2 year olds can get 15 hours per week, 3 to 4 year olds 30 hours.

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

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) replaces Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - how and when to claim, rates, eligibility.

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

Help with the cost of paying for approved childcare - Tax-Free Childcare, 15 and 30 hours childcare, childcare vouchers, tax credits, Learner Support.

Carer's Credit helps carers fill gaps in your National Insurance record to help you qualify for the State Pensions and other benefits - what you'll get, eligibility and how to claim

…As the UK’s biggest public service department it administers the State Pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to around 20 million claimants and customers.

• Updated: 7 March 2024

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

Attendance Allowance helps pay for your personal care if you've reached State Pension age and are disabled - rates, eligibility, apply, claim form AA1.

How to set up or manage a child maintenance arrangement, including what to do if a parent does not pay, how to contact the Child Maintenance Service, and signing in to your account.

The EU Settlement Scheme for EU citizens and their families to remain in the UK after it leaves the EU ('Brexit'): who's eligible, how to apply, how much it costs.

How to tell HMRC if there's a change to your personal details - address, name, income, marital status, gender

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

There is a limit on the total amount of benefit that most people aged 16 to under State Pension age can get - benefits affected, benefit cap amount.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) money if you cannot work because of illness or disability - rates, eligibility, apply, assessment.

Report makes a number of recommendations highlighting the economic and social benefits of supporting carers in the workplace.

• Updated: 27 August 2013

Who can get National Insurance credits and how to apply or when to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions.

How to get and claim your State Pension, State Pension age - for men born on or after 6 April 1951 and women born on or after 6 April 1953.