Maximising Your Income With Benefits
Explore the benefits you might be able to receive to maximise your income.
If you need further advice and guidance, you can find details of organisations that can help here.
Benefits Calculator
Using a benefits calculator can tell you what benefits you might be able to get and how much money you could receive. To get the most accurate answer, you’ll need information about your income, savings and any existing benefits your household receives.
You can find more information here:
Universal Credit
The main benefit for working age adults is now Universal Credit, replacing several other types of benefits. You may get Universal Credit if you have a low income or are not working. You will usually get one monthly payment, made up of a ‘standard allowance’ as well as other additional elements you are eligible for.
You can find more information here:
Universal Credit - Citizens Advice
What is Universal Credit (UC)? - Turn2us
Universal Credit: What Universal Credit is - GOV.UK
Housing Benefit
Most people now receive the housing element of Universal Credit instead of Housing Benefit. You can only make a new claim for housing benefit if you are in certain situations, such as if you have reached pension age or live in temporary accommodation. Applications for Housing Benefit must be made to Milton Keynes City Council.
You can find more information here:
Housing Benefit - Citizens Advice
Information about claiming Housing Benefit | Milton Keynes City Council
Housing Benefit: Eligibility - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Housing Benefit (England, Scotland, Wales) - Turn2us
Housing benefit eligibility & advice - Age UK
Housing benefit: hostels, refuges, supported and temporary housing - Shelter England
New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
You may be able to receive ‘New Style’ Jobseeker’s Allowance if you are not working or working part time, even if you are also claiming Universal Credit. You normally need to have worked and paid enough National Insurance contributions in the two years before your application.
You can find more information here:
Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) - Citizens Advice
New Style Jobseeker's Allowance - GOV.UK
Benefits and tax credits when you've lost your job- MoneyHelper
Working Tax Credits
Universal Credit has replaced Working Tax Credits for most people, however you may be able to still claim if you are already receiving Child Tax Credits. You will also have to be on a low income and working a certain amount of hours per week, depending on your circumstances.
You can find more information here:
Working and child tax credits - Citizens Advice
What is Working Tax Credit? - Turn2us
Child Tax Credits
Universal Credit has replaced Child Tax Credits for most people, however you may be able to still claim if you are already receiving Working Tax Credits. You usually get Child Tax Credits for each child you are responsible for, depending on their age and circumstances.
You can find more information here:
Working and child tax credits - Citizens Advice
What is Child Tax Credit? - Turn2us
Child Benefit
You may be able to get help with the costs of bringing up children. Child Benefit can provide an allowance for each child you have responsibility for, depending on their age and circumstances.
You can find more information here:
Child Benefit - Citizens Advice
What is Child Benefit? - Turn2us
Maternity Allowance
If you are not entitled to Maternity Pay through your employer, you might be able to receive Maternity Allowance from the government instead. This is dependent on how many weeks you have been working and earning in the weeks ahead of your due date.
You can find more information here:
Maternity pay - what you're entitled to - Citizens Advice
What is Maternity Allowance? - Turn2us
Pension Credit
You may be able to receive Pension Credit if you have reached pension age and have a low income. There are two parts of Pension Credit, called Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. You can get one or both, depending on your age and circumstances.
You can find more information here:
Pension Credit - Citizens Advice
Pension Credit: Overview - GOV.UK
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
If you have an illness, disability or mental health condition, you may be able to receive Personal Independence Payment. There are two parts, called the ‘daily living component’ and the ‘mobility component’. You can get a standard or enhanced rate for each, depending on the amount of help you need to do specific activities.
You can find more information here:
Personal Independence Payment - Citizens Advice
What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)? - Turn2us
Personal Independence Payment (PIP): What PIP is for - GOV.UK
Attendance Allowance
You may be able to receive Attendance Allowance if you have reached pension age and have care needs because of an illness or disability. The amount you are paid is based on how much help you need, not on your income, savings or whether you are still working.
You can get more information here:
Attendance Allowance - Citizens Advice
What is Attendance Allowance? - Turn2us
Carer’s Allowance
You may be able to receive Carer’s Allowance if you provide regular and substantial care to someone with an illness or disability. This will be dependant on your circumstances and whether the person you are caring for receives a qualifying benefit.
You can find more information here:
Carer's Allowance - Citizens Advice
What is Carer's Allowance? - Turn2us
Carer's Allowance: How it works - GOV.UK