Benefits and tax credits: overview

The following chart summarises the benefits and tax credits you may be able to get depending on your circumstances. In each case, there are other tests you must pass to be entitled. The page number in the last column takes you to the relevant chapter, where you will find more details about the rules of entitlement. Part 3 explains which benefits are affected by any grant or loan you get. Terms such as ‘full time’, ‘part time’ and ‘student’ are explained in each benefit chapter. Note: new claims cannot be made for income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance and tax credits, and cannot usually be made for housing benefit.

Your circumstances		Benefit or tax credit
Aged 16–18 (and some 19 year olds) in full-time further education
Have a child		Universal credit Income support Housing benefit Child benefit Child tax credit
Aged 16–20 (and some 21 year olds) in full-time further education
Orphan, estranged or separated from parents		Universal credit Income support Housing benefit
Living away from parents		Universal credit Housing benefit
Full-time student
Single		Health benefits
Lone parent of child under five		Universal credit Income support Housing benefit Child tax credit Child benefit
Student couple with a child, or lone parent		Universal credit Housing benefit Child tax credit Child benefit
Couple, one student		Universal credit Income support Jobseeker’s allowance Employment and support allowance Housing benefit Child tax credit Child benefit
Part-time student		Universal credit Income support Jobseeker’s allowance Employment and support allowance Housing benefit
Working
Under 16 hours	Part-time student	here p00
	Full-time student	Income support (if eligible)
At least 16 hours a week (24 for most couples) and have a child		Working tax credit
At least 16 hours a week and have a disability		Working tax credit
At least 30 hours a week and aged 25 or over		Working tax credit
At least 16 hours a week and aged 60 or over		Working tax credit
Any number of hours		Universal credit (if eligible)
Sick or disabled		Universal credit Employment and support allowance Housing benefit Adult disability payment Health benefits
Recovered and waiting to return to studies		Universal credit
Having a baby
Under 18		Best Start foods Best Start grant Scottish child payment
Getting certain benefits/tax credits		Best Start foods Best Start grant Scottish child payment
Working or recently working		Universal credit Maternity allowance Statutory maternity pay Statutory shared parental pay Working tax credit
When the child is born		Universal credit Child tax credit Child benefit Best Start grant Scottish child payment
Studying part time		Universal credit Income support
Partner having a baby		Statutory paternity pay Statutory shared parental pay
Adopting a child		Statutory adoption pay
Caring for someone sick or disabled
Studying part time		Carer support payment Universal credit Income support
Waiting to return to studies after taking time out to care		Universal credit
Need dental treatment or glasses		Health benefits
Reached pension age		Pension credit Housing benefit