1. How to claim benefits and tax credits

Child benefit, guardian’s allowance and tax credits are administered by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Statutory adoption pay, statutory paternity pay and statutory shared parental pay are administered by your employer, but any dispute is dealt with by HMRC. Best Start grants, Best Start foods, funeral support payments, carer’s allowance (CA) supplement and Scottish child payment are administered by Social Security Scotland (SSS). Housing benefit (HB), council tax reduction (CTR) and the Scottish Welfare Fund are administered by your local authority and health benefits by the NHS. All the other benefits referred to in this Handbook are administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The table explains how to claim benefits and tax credits.

Benefit/tax credit	How to claim
Attendance allowance	Claim on Form AA1, available from the attendance allowance (AA) helpline (tel: 0800 731 0122; textphone: 0800 731 0317), or download a claim form from gov.uk. It is usually better to phone the helpline as that secures your date of claim.
Best Start grant and Best Start foods	Claim online at mygov.scot/best-start-grant-best-start-foods, download the claim form or telephone 0800 182 2222.
Carer’s allowance	Claim on Form DS700 (or Form DS700(SP) if you get a retirement pension), available from the Carer’s Allowance Unit (tel: 0800 731 0297; textphone: 0800 731 0317), or claim online or download a claim form from gov.uk.
Child benefit	Claim on Form CH2, available from the Child Benefit Office (tel: 0300 200 3100; textphone: 0300 200 3103), or download a claim form from gov.uk.
Council tax reduction	Contact your local authority to check how to make a claim.
Disability living allowance (under 16)	Claim on Form DLA1A Child, available from the disability living allowance (DLA) helpline (tel: 0800 121 4600; textphone: 0800 121 4523), or download a claim form from gov.uk.
Employment and support allowance	Claim online at gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim or telephone 0800 328 5644 (option 2) (textphone: 0800 328 1344). If you are claiming ‘old-style’ ESA, claim by telephone (tel: 0800 169 0350; texphone 0800 0234 888).
Funeral support payment	Claim online at mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment/how-to-apply, download the claim form or telephone 0800 182 2222.
Guardian’s allowance	Claim on Form BG1, available to download at gov.uk or telephone 0300 322 9080 (textphone: 0300 200 3103).
Health benefits – eg, dental care	To claim on the grounds of low income, complete Form HC1, available from Jobcentre Plus offices, GP surgeries, pharmacies and Citizens Advice bureaux. Download a form or apply online at nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme or telephone 0300 330 1343.
Housing benefit	Some local authorities allow claims by telephone, online or by email. Otherwise, claim by using the form that your local authority has issued and return it to the office designated for that purpose by the local authority.
Income support	You are usually expected to start your claim by telephone (tel: 0800 169 0350; textphone: 0800 023 4888), or you can download a claim form from gov.uk.
Jobseeker’s allowance	Claim at gov.uk or by telephone (tel: 0800 055 6688; textphone 0800 023 4888).
Pension credit	Claim at gov.uk or by telephone (tel: 0800 991 234; textphone: 0800 169 0133).
Personal independence payment	Claim by telephone (tel: 0800 917 2222; textphone: 0800 917 7777).
Scottish child payment	Check mygov.scot for how to claim.
Scottish Welfare Fund	Contact your local authority to check how to make a claim.
Statutory adoption pay	No claim form required, but you must give your employer the required notice and information.
Statutory paternity pay	No claim form required, but you must give your employer the required notice and information.
Statutory shared parental pay	No claim form required, but you must give your employer the required notice and information.
Tax credits	Claim both child tax credit and working tax credit by calling the Tax Credit helpline (tel: 0345 300 3900; Relay UK 18001 0345 300 3900).
Universal credit	Claim at gov.uk. If you need support to claim, telephone 0800 328 5644 (textphone 0800 328 1344).