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Increase your income

If you’re struggling with the cost of living, why not check you’re receiving all the income you’re entitled to? This guide will help you navigate benefits, grants, and additional income sources, while offering practical tips to make your budget stretch further. From tools like our Benefits Calculator to ideas for savings, you’ll find straightforward advice to help you take control of your finances and maximise your income.

What benefits can I claim?

What are benefits?

Benefits help you pay for the things you need if your income isn’t enough to cover your needs.

There are many benefits for different types of people, whether you’re a parent, carer, unemployed, or working on a low income.  

We’ve provided an overview of the benefits available for 2024/25 (as issued by the Department of Work and Pensions/HMRC).

Use our free Benefits Calculator

Our benefits calculator can help you understand what benefits you can claim. It only takes five to ten minutes to complete.

Types of benefits

Means-tested benefits

Means-tested benefits are designed to help people on a low income with limited savings.

Examples include:

  • Universal Credit
  • Housing Benefit

Your eligibility depends on your income, savings, and other resources you have.

Benefits may be capped or reduced if you go over the government’s threshold.

Non-means-tested benefits

Non-means-tested benefits aren’t based on your income or savings but still have specific eligibility criteria.

There are different types of non-means-tested benefits:

  • Contribution-based benefits, based on National Insurance contributions (e.g. Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance).
  • Statutory benefits, provided through employers for situations like maternity leave or sickness (e.g. Statutory Sick Pay, Statutory Maternity Pay).
  • Non-contribution-based benefits, designed for people with disabilities or caring responsibilities (e.g. Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance).

Benefits for low-income households

Universal Credit (UC)

Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit for working-age people on low incomes, those who are unable to work due to ill health or a disability, or those who are unemployed.

It replace several older benefits, including:

  • Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Housing Benefit

It includes additional elements for:

  • Rent costs
  • Childcare
  • Caring responsibilities
  • Disabilities or health conditions

If you receive UC, you may also be able to claim or access:

For more on Universal Credit and how to apply.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit helps cover rent if you’re on a low income.

You may be eligible if:

  • you’ve reached State Pension age
  • you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

For more on Housing Benefit and how to apply.

Benefits for families

Child Benefit

As soon as your child’s born, you can apply for Child Benefit.

If you didn’t apply straightaway and you meet the eligibility criteria, it’ll be backdated as long as you can provide proof your child was in your care from birth.

You can claim Child Benefit until your child is 16 or 20 if they stay in approved education or training.

There’s no limit on the number of children you can claim for, but only one person can claim Child Benefit for each child.

Usually, Child Benefit is paid every four weeks.

The weekly rate payments are:

  • £25.60 for your eldest child or an only child
  • £16.95 for additional children (per child)

For more on Child Benefit and how to apply.

Scottish Child Payment

Families in Scotland can receive £26.70 per week for each child under 16. You’ll receive the payment every four weeks, if your application is successful.

Scottish Child Payment is one of the five family payments you may be able to get from Social Security Scotland, along with the Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods.

Find out more on Scottish Child Payments and how to apply here.

Guardian’s Allowance

Guardian’s Allowance is available if you’re bringing up a child whose parents have passed away, providing £21.75 per week on top of Child Benefit.

Find out more on Guardian’s Allowance and how to apply here.

Maternity and paternity benefits

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

This is the standard type of maternity pay you can receive if you’re employed, and it’s the minimum amount your employer can legally pay you if you’re eligible.

It’s paid for up to 39 weeks as follows:

  • 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first six weeks
  • £184.03 or 90% of your average earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

Find out more on Statutory Maternity Pay and how it impacts you here.

Contractual Maternity Pay

This is an alternative to Statutory Maternity Pay, which some employers offer.

How much you receive and how long you receive it for will depend on your contract and your company’s maternity policy.

It’s best to check with your HR department to see what’s available to you.

Maternity Allowance

If you don’t qualify for SMP, Maternity Allowance provides support for up to 39 weeks.

You could get Maternity Allowance if:

  • You’re employed but can’t get SMP
  • You’re self-employed
  • You’ve recently stopped working
  • You take part in unpaid work for the business of your spouse or civil partner

Check if you’re eligible for Maternity Allowance and find more information here.

Maternity and Paternity Eligibility Calculator

You can use the Maternity/Paternity Eligibility calculator to check if you can get:

  • Statutory Maternity Leave or Pay
  • Statutory Paternity Leave or Pay
  • Maternity Allowance

Job-seeking benefits

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

JSA supports people who are looking for employment.

There’s a maximum amount you can get – but how much you’re entitled to will depend on your age:

  • If you’re aged 24 and under – up to £71.70 a week
  • If you’re 25 or over – up to £90.50 a week

To be eligible, you’ll need to have both worked as an employee and paid Class 1 National Insurance contributions (usually in the last two to three years). National Insurance credits also count.

You can find out more about JSA and read the full eligibility criteria here.

Employment Support Allowance (ESA)

You can apply for ESA if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work.

It gives you money to help with your living costs if you’re unable to work and support to get back into work if you’re able to.

You can apply if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed.

You can find out more about ESA and review the full eligibility criteria here.

JSA and ESA Hardship Payments

If you receive JSA or ESA and have had your benefits sanctioned, you may be able to apply for a Hardship Payment to help pay for essential costs like rent, heating, food or hygiene products.

To apply for a Hardship Payment, it’s likely you’ll be asked to evidence why you’re struggling. You can use our budget sheet to help you with this.

DWP will work out the daily rate for your Hardship Payment and it’s only paid for a limited number of days, so you’ll need to reapply if you need another one or you’re in a different assessment period that’s been sanctioned.

It’s important to note that a Hardship Payment is a loan, so you’ll have to pay it back.

You can find out more about Hardship Payments and review the full eligibility criteria here.

Benefits for pensioners

State Pension

You’ll be able to claim State Pension when you reach State Pension age. Depending on when you were born, you’ll either be able to claim the new State Pension or the basic State Pension. You may also get Additional State Pension.

You’ll need ten qualifying years on your National Insurance record to get any new State Pension.

You can find out more about State Pension and review the full eligibility criteria here.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit is separate from the State Pension, and it helps with living and housing costs if you’re over the State Pension age and on a low income. It can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.

You may get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.

If you get Pension Credit you could receive extra support like:

You can find out more about Pension Credit and review the full eligibility criteria here.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

PIP can help with extra living costs if you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty completing everyday tasks.

You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are receiving other benefits.

There are two parts to PIP – a daily living part (to help with everyday tasks) and a mobility part (to help with getting around).

You can find out more about PIP and review the full eligibility criteria here.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a severe disability or health condition requiring care.

It’s paid at two different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need.

You can find out more about Attendance Allowance and review the full eligibility criteria here.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is Being replaced by other benefits.

If you already get DLA, your claim might end. You’ll get a letter telling you when this will happen and how you can apply for PIP or Adult Disability Payment.

You can find out more about DLA and review the full eligibility criteria here.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

If you’re too unwell to work, you can get £116.75 per week in SSP. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks.

You can’t get less than the statutory amount, but you might get more if your company has a sick pay scheme in place.

Check your employment contract to see what’s available to you or find out more about SSP.

Benefits for carers

Carer’s Allowance

If you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they receive certain benefits, you may be entitled to Carer’s Allowance.

You don’t have to related to, or living with, the person you care for, but you don’t get paid extra if you care for more than one person.

Carer’s Allowance can affect the other benefits that you and the person you care for receive, so it’s important to have a read through all of the information on Carer’s Allowance to work out whether you should apply.

Additional support for essential costs

Household Support Fund

Local councils offer financial assistance for essentials like utilities and food. Check with your local council to find out what support is available to you.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Eligible households can receive a £150 discount on their electricity bills. The scheme is automatic in England and Wales but you’ll need to apply to your energy provider if you live in Scotland.

Find out more about the Warm Home Discount Scheme and the full eligibility criteria here.

Winter Fuel Payment

If you were born before 23 September 1958, payments of £200-£300 are available to help with heating costs.

If you’re eligible, you should have received a letter in October or November 2024 saying how much you’ll get and most people will have received this payment at the end of 2024.

If you haven’t received a letter but think you might be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, check how to make a claim here.

Other ways to increase your income

Benefits aren’t the only way to increase your income. There are lots of other options to look into, including:

  • Child Maintenance Calculator: to help you work out child support payments
  • Renting out spare space: Generate income from unused rooms or parking spaces
  • Freelancing or part-time work: Share your skills or take up a side job
  • Selling unused items: Use platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Vinted to declutter and earn some extra cash

Discounts for Healthcare, Armed Forces and Emergency Services workers

  • Blue Light Card scheme: discounts for NHS, emergency services and social care workers
  • Defence Privilege Card scheme: savings for Armed Forces personnel and veterans

Make the most of cashback and reward schemes

Earn rewards and cashback using platforms like:

  • TopCashBack: When you purchase from a retailer featured on TopCashback after clicking through from their site, the retailer will give TopCashBack a commission for sending you to their website. They then share this commission with you when you earn money, which is called ‘cashback’ and is paid by the retailer.
  • Quidco: Every time you shop any of the brands on Quidco, you’re rewarded with a commission as cashback.
  • Airtime Rewards: You can earn rewards with Boots, Greggs, Wilko, New Look, Papa Johns, Halfords, and others using the app.
  • Zipzero: For every receipt you take a picture of, you’ll get 0.5% cashback into your account. This can be receipts from anything you’ve bought, including restaurants and high street stores. Once you’ve earned a minimum of £5, you can redeem this off several bills, including electricity, gas, TV, phone, internet and council tax.

Please note: we’re in no way affiliated with these external websites, so make sure you double-check whether there are any associated delivery fees and that you understand what rights you have if something goes wrong.

Making your money last until payday and for longer

We know it can be hard to make sure there’s still enough money until your next payday.

Here are some tips to help make your income go further:

  • Create a budget to see what money you have coming in and going out. 
  • Set yourself a daily spending allowance. It’s okay to treat yourself, but if you overspend one day, you take it off another! 
  • Start a diary to track your spending. You might notice patterns in your spending that you can change. 
  • Take advantage of cashback offers or loyalty cards. 
  • Shop around – look at online deals and see where you can make savings. 
  • Set yourself a 24-hour rule for impulse buys. You’ll be surprised how much you can save! 
  • Start meal planning and prepping in advance. It’s much easier to talk yourself out of a takeaway when you’ve got a healthy alternative ready to go in the freezer. 

Let’s make your debt more affordable

Get debt help in a way that works for you and start enjoying more of your money. Start online or call us free on 0800 316 1833.