What benefits can I claim?
It depends on your circumstances — but most people may be entitled to something, and billions go unclaimed each year. Entitlement turns on your income, savings, age, health, caring duties and where you live. The main ones: Universal Credit (the main working-age means-tested benefit — for living costs, housing, children, disability); Pension Credit (tops up income over State Pension age, and unlocks other help); PIP (for a long-term health condition affecting daily life — not means-tested and payable while working); Child Benefit; Carer's Allowance; Attendance Allowance (over pension age); and Council Tax Support. Savings over £16,000 usually rule out means-tested benefits, but several benefits ignore savings entirely. The quickest way to check is a free benefits calculator. In short: probably yes — check.
📋 The rules
- Universal Credit: main working-age means-tested benefit
- Pension Credit: tops up income over pension age
- PIP: health condition, not means-tested, OK while working
- Child Benefit and Carer's Allowance for families/carers
- Savings over £16,000 usually bar means-tested benefits
🔓 Exceptions
- PIP, Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance, Child Benefit: no savings/home test
- High Income Child Benefit Charge claws it back above £60,000 income
- Scotland and NI run several disability/carer benefits separately
⚠️ Penalties & fines
These are entitlements, not penalties. Some 2026/27 weekly figures: PIP daily living £76.70 (standard) or £114.60 (enhanced), mobility £30.30 or £80.00; Child Benefit £27.05 for the eldest child and £17.90 for each other; Carer's Allowance £86.45 (earnings limit £204); Attendance Allowance £76.70 or £114.60; Pension Credit tops a single person's income up to £238.00. The capital limit for means-tested benefits is £16,000. The main risk is not claiming: Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance are heavily under-claimed. Beware a myth: "I work, own my home or have savings, so I can't claim anything" is false — PIP, Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance and Child Benefit aren't means-tested, PIP is payable while working full-time, and many working people on low-to-middle incomes qualify for Universal Credit. To check what you can get: run a free calculator (Turn2us, entitledto, Policy in Practice) and claim via GOV.UK.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
What benefits can I actually claim?
It depends on your income, savings, age, health and caring duties. The main ones are Universal Credit for working-age living and housing costs, Pension Credit over State Pension age, PIP for a health condition, Child Benefit, Carer's Allowance and Council Tax Support. The fastest way to find out is to run a free benefits calculator.
Can I claim if I work or have savings?
Often, yes. Some benefits, such as PIP, Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance and Child Benefit, are not means-tested, so savings and home ownership don't affect them, and PIP is payable even if you work full time. Universal Credit is means-tested, but many working people on low-to-middle incomes still qualify for some.
How much are the main disability benefits?
In 2026/27, PIP daily living is £76.70 a week at the standard rate and £114.60 at the enhanced rate, with mobility at £30.30 or £80.00. Attendance Allowance, for people over State Pension age, is £76.70 or £114.60 a week. These are not means-tested and are paid in addition to other income.
What is Pension Credit?
Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit that tops up the income of people over State Pension age, to £238.00 a week for a single person in 2026/27. It also acts as a gateway to other help, such as a free TV licence for the over-75s, Housing Benefit and Council Tax support. It is heavily under-claimed.
How do I check what I'm entitled to?
Use a free, anonymous online benefits calculator such as Turn2us, entitledto or Policy in Practice. You enter your income, savings and circumstances, and it estimates what you could claim. You can then apply through GOV.UK or, for Council Tax support, directly to your local council. Checking is free and doesn't affect existing claims.
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