What benefits can I claim if I am on a low income?

If you are on a low income you can often get Universal Credit whether or not you work. It can include amounts for housing, children, disability and caring. Council Tax Reduction (or Rate Relief in Northern Ireland) is a separate local claim — Universal Credit does not pay your council tax.

Most working-age people cannot make a new Housing Benefit claim; housing costs usually sit inside Universal Credit. People of State Pension age still often use Housing Benefit. Local schemes such as Discretionary Housing Payment and the Household Support Fund are extra, limited, and not an entitlement.

Benefits this usually points to

Universal Credit
A monthly payment to help with living costs if you are on a low income, out of work, or cannot work. It can include amounts for housing, children, disability, and caring.
Council Tax Reduction
Help from your local council if you are on a low income and need to pay council tax. Each council runs its own scheme, so the rules and amounts vary.
Rate Relief
Help with domestic rates in Northern Ireland if you are on a low income. This is the Northern Ireland equivalent of Council Tax Reduction. Working-age people on Universal Credit usually claim Rate Rebate; Housing Benefit and Rate Relief still apply for many people of State Pension age.
Housing Benefit
Help towards rent if you are on a low income. Most working-age people now claim housing costs through Universal Credit instead. Housing Benefit still applies in some situations, including many people of State Pension age.
Healthy Start
Help to buy milk, fruit, vegetables and vitamins if you are pregnant or have a child under 4 and you get certain benefits. Scotland has Best Start Foods instead.
Best Start Foods
A Scottish prepaid card to help with the cost of milk, infant formula, fruit and vegetables during pregnancy and for children under 3, if you get certain benefits.
Free school meals
A school-age meal at no cost if you get certain benefits, with extra automatic provision for some infant year groups. Each UK nation sets its own rules and how you apply.
Discretionary Housing Payment
Extra, limited help from your council toward a rent shortfall if you already get Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit. It is discretionary, not an entitlement, and budgets run out.
Household Support Fund
A time-limited fund paid through English councils (with separate cost-of-living schemes in the other nations) to help with essentials such as food and energy. It is local crisis support, not a weekly national benefit.
Warm Home Discount
A one-off discount on your electricity bill if you get Pension Credit or meet your supplier's low-income criteria. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different schemes.

Check what may apply in your circumstances

It usually takes about 5 minutes. You do not need to create an account. This is guidance, not a government decision.

Can I claim benefits if I work?

Yes. Universal Credit is built for people in work as well as out of work. Earnings reduce the payment through a taper. Child Benefit is not means-tested in the same way, though a high income can create a tax charge. Healthy Start and free school meals have their own qualifying-benefit and income tests.

Tax credits have ended

Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit are closed to new claims. If HMRC still pays you tax credits, follow the move-to-Universal-Credit letters. Do not use a paid “renewal” website.

Other circumstances

This is independent guidance. Only the relevant government department can confirm eligibility. How we source and verify.

Start the free eligibility check