UK Benefits Guide 2026 — What You Can Claim and How to Apply

Complete guide to UK benefits 2026 — Universal Credit, PIP, Child Benefit, ESA, Carer's Allowance, housing benefit and more. Check eligibility and find out how to claim.

Benefits information is based on current DWP and HMRC rules. Entitlements depend on your personal circumstances. For free personalised help, contact Citizens Advice or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.

Millions of people in the UK are entitled to benefits they never claim. Whether you’re out of work, on a low income, disabled, caring for someone, or facing a life change, there is likely financial support available to you. This section covers every major UK benefit with eligibility guides, rates for 2026/27, and step-by-step application help.

Benefits Overview

Category Main benefits
Working-age income Universal Credit, New-Style JSA
Disability PIP, Attendance Allowance, ESA
Family Child Benefit, Maternity Allowance, Tax-Free Childcare
Housing Housing element of Universal Credit, Discretionary Housing Payments
Caring Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Credit
Pension age State Pension, Pension Credit, Winter Fuel Payment
Bereavement Bereavement Support Payment, Widowed Parent’s Allowance

Benefits Hubs

Universal Credit

The main working-age benefit — rates, eligibility, how to apply, what to do in the five-week wait, and how work affects your payments.

PIP — Personal Independence Payment

Eligibility criteria, daily living and mobility components, how assessments work, evidence requirements, and mandatory reconsideration.

Child Benefit

Rates, eligibility, the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC), and how to claim or restart Child Benefit.

Carer’s Benefits

Carer’s Allowance, Access to Work, benefits for carers of disabled children, and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Housing Benefits

Housing element of Universal Credit, the bedroom tax, Council Tax Reduction, and Discretionary Housing Payments.

Maternity and Family Benefits

Statutory Maternity Pay, Maternity Allowance, Paternity Leave, Shared Parental Leave, Healthy Start vouchers, and benefits for single parents.

ESA — Employment and Support Allowance

New-Style ESA, Work Capability Assessments, and migration to Universal Credit.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit rates 2026/27, eligibility, Savings Credit, Winter Fuel Payment, and how to claim.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance for people over State Pension age with care needs — rates, eligibility, and how to claim.

Bereavement Benefits

Bereavement Support Payment, Widowed Parent’s Allowance, and financial steps after a death.

Benefits by Situation

Benefits for students, care leavers, veterans, and other specific situations not covered by standard hubs.

Devolved Benefits

Scottish benefits — Scottish Child Payment, Scottish Disability Living Allowance, Winter Heating Payment, and other Scottish-only payments.

Energy Grants

Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel Payment, Cold Weather Payments, and energy grants for low-income households.

Legacy Benefits

Old-style JSA, Income Support, and what you need to know about the Universal Credit migration.

Sources

  1. GOV.UK — Benefits
  2. Citizens Advice — Benefits
  3. Turn2us — Benefits Calculator

Topic Guides

Attendance Allowance — Complete UK Guide

Attendance Allowance for over-65s: eligibility, rates, how to claim, care home rules, and how it interacts with other …

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Benefits for Specific Situations — Students, Carers, Veterans and More

Benefits guidance for specific life situations: students, veterans, care leavers, people in prison, domestic abuse …

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Bereavement Benefits and Financial Help When Someone Dies

Benefits and financial support available after a bereavement — Bereavement Support Payment, Widowed Parent's Allowance, …

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Carers & Disability Benefits: UK Guide

A complete guide to carers' support and disability benefits in the UK, including Carer's Allowance, Carer's Credit, …

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Child Benefit UK: Rates, High-Income Charge, NI Credits and Claiming Rules

Understand Child Benefit in the UK, including rates, eligibility, high-income charge rules, NI credits, older children, …

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Devolved Benefits — Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Benefits that differ in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — including Scottish Child Payment, Adult Disability …

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Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) — Complete UK Guide

Everything about ESA: who qualifies, the work capability assessment, support group vs WRAG, new-style ESA, and how ESA …

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Energy Grants, Discounts and Help with Bills in the UK

A complete guide to UK energy grants, bill discounts and emergency support, including Warm Home Discount, Winter Fuel …

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Housing Benefits UK: LHA Rates, Discretionary Payments, Bedroom Tax and Council Tax Help

A complete guide to Housing Benefit, Universal Credit housing support, Discretionary Housing Payments, Local Housing …

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Pension Credit UK: Eligibility, Guarantee Credit, Savings Credit and Linked Benefits

A complete guide to Pension Credit in the UK, including Guarantee Credit, Savings Credit, eligibility, savings rules, …

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PIP UK: Daily Living, Mobility, Points System, Assessments and Appeals

Everything about PIP: eligibility, rates for 2026/27, the assessment process, how to claim, daily living and mobility …

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Universal Credit UK: Eligibility, Rates, Housing, Childcare and Work Rules

Everything you need to know about Universal Credit: who can claim, how to apply, current rates 2026/27, managing the …

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Legacy Benefits UK 2026/27 — ESA, JSA and Migration to Universal Credit

UK legacy benefits guide: ESA and JSA rates 2026/27, eligibility, work capability groups, and how managed migration to …

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Maternity Pay, Paternity Pay and Family Benefits UK 2026/27

UK maternity and family benefits guide 2026/27: SMP rates, paternity pay, shared parental leave, Child Benefit, Tax-Free …

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