Free UK benefit guides
All Benefits Guides
Every guide we've published, newest first — plain-English help on who qualifies, how to claim, and what to watch out for.
PIP for Acquired Brain Injury — What You Could Be Entitled To
Acquired brain injury can cause physical, cognitive, and personality changes that aren't always visible or even recognised by the person affected. Find out how PIP assesses ABI, and why family input often matters so much.
PIPPIP for Cerebral Palsy — What You Could Be Entitled To
Cerebral palsy varies enormously in presentation and severity. Find out how PIP assesses cerebral palsy in adults, and why a lifetime of adapting doesn't mean the impact is any less relevant to a claim.
PIPPIP for EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) — What You Could Be Entitled To
EDS causes joint instability, frequent dislocations, chronic pain, and fatigue that can significantly affect daily living. Find out how PIP assesses EDS and what you could be entitled to.
PIPPIP for Endometriosis — What You Could Be Entitled To
Endometriosis causes severe, fluctuating pain and other symptoms that are frequently dismissed or normalised. Find out how PIP actually assesses endometriosis and what you could be entitled to.
PIPPIP for Hearing Loss — What You Could Be Entitled To
Hearing loss can significantly affect communication and safety, even with hearing aids or implants in use. Find out how PIP assesses hearing loss and what you could be entitled to.
PIPPIP for Lupus — What You Could Be Entitled To
Lupus (SLE) is a fluctuating autoimmune condition affecting joints, skin, kidneys, and cognition. Find out how PIP assesses lupus, why the reliability criteria matter so much, and what you could be entitled to.
PIPPIP for OCD — What You Could Be Entitled To
Severe OCD can consume hours a day in compulsions and rituals that make ordinary tasks take vastly longer than they should. Find out how PIP assesses OCD, and why the 'reasonable time' criteria matters so much.
PIPPIP for PTSD — What You Could Be Entitled To
PTSD symptoms like hypervigilance, flashbacks, and avoidance can profoundly affect daily functioning but are often under-recognised in PIP assessments. Find out how PIP assesses PTSD and what you could be entitled to.
PIPPIP for Visual Impairment — What You Could Be Entitled To
Visual impairment significantly affects both daily living and safe mobility. Find out how PIP assesses sight loss, why familiar vs. unfamiliar routes matter so much, and what you could be entitled to.
Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance for Arthritis — Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common reasons people over State Pension age claim Attendance Allowance. Find out how rheumatoid and osteoarthritis are assessed, what the day/night care test looks for, and what you could be entitled to.
Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance for COPD and Breathing Conditions
COPD and other breathing conditions can significantly affect day-to-day care needs in later life. Find out how Attendance Allowance assesses COPD, what the day/night care test means for breathing conditions, and what you could be entitled to.
Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance for Dementia — What Carers and Families Need to Know
Dementia care needs often build up gradually and get under-described on claim forms. Find out how Attendance Allowance assesses dementia, what the day/night care test looks for, and how carers and families can build a stronger claim.
Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance for Heart Failure and Heart Conditions
Heart failure and other heart conditions cause profound fatigue and breathlessness that often significantly affect daily care needs. Find out how Attendance Allowance assesses heart conditions, what the day/night test looks for, and what you could be entitled to.
Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance After a Stroke — What You Could Be Entitled To
A stroke can leave lasting effects on mobility, speech, and cognition. Find out how Attendance Allowance assesses stroke survivors, what the day/night care test looks for, and what you could be entitled to.
GeneralBenefits Changes 2026 — Everything That's Changed This Year
A round-up of everything that's changed across UK benefits for the 2026/27 tax year — from the Universal Credit health element restructuring to the removal of the two-child limit.
GeneralBenefits You Can Claim While Working
Working doesn't disqualify you from most UK benefits — Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, PIP, and more are designed to support people in work. Find out exactly what changes when you're employed.
Carer's AllowanceCarer's Allowance and Universal Credit — Can You Get Both?
Carer's Allowance and Universal Credit interact in ways that trip up a lot of carers. Find out how the income deduction, the carer element, and underlying entitlement actually work together.
Carer's AllowanceCan I Claim Carer's Allowance If I Work?
You can work and still claim Carer's Allowance, as long as your net earnings stay under the weekly limit. Find out exactly how the 2026/27 earnings threshold works and what happens if you go over it.
Child BenefitCan I Backdate a Child Benefit Claim?
Child Benefit payments can be backdated up to 3 months — but a separate, currently delayed scheme could let you recover lost National Insurance credits from years you never claimed at all.
Child BenefitChild Benefit — What It Is, Who Gets It, and How to Claim
Child Benefit is universal — every parent or guardian can claim, regardless of income. Find out how much it pays, who qualifies, and why claiming is worth it even if you'll pay some back through the tax charge.
Child BenefitThe High Income Child Benefit Charge Explained Simply
The High Income Child Benefit Charge is based on individual income, not household income, and catches a lot of people out. Find out exactly how it's calculated, with a worked example.
Council Tax ReductionCouncil Tax Reduction Explained — Who Qualifies and How to Apply
Council Tax Reduction helps people on a low income pay their council tax bill — but every council runs its own scheme. Find out who typically qualifies, how it differs from council tax discounts, and how to apply.
Council Tax ReductionCouncil Tax Reduction for Single People — What Are You Entitled To?
Living alone can mean two separate types of council tax support — the 25% single person discount, and means-tested Council Tax Reduction on top. Find out what you could be entitled to and how to claim both.
Housing BenefitHow Is Housing Benefit Calculated?
Housing Benefit calculations start from your eligible rent, then apply deductions for income, savings, and household circumstances. Find out exactly how the calculation works, step by step.
Housing BenefitHousing Benefit and Universal Credit — Can You Get Both?
Housing Benefit and the Universal Credit housing element usually can't be claimed together — but there are transitional overlaps and exceptions worth knowing about. Find out how the two systems relate.
Housing BenefitWho Can Still Claim Housing Benefit in 2026?
Housing Benefit is closed to most new working-age claims — but pension-age claimants and people in supported or temporary accommodation can still apply. Find out exactly who qualifies in 2026.
Pension CreditPension Credit Eligibility — The Complete Guide for 2026
Pension Credit eligibility depends on more than the headline income thresholds — your age, savings, additional amounts, and partner's circumstances all matter. Find out the full picture for 2026/27.
Pension CreditPension Credit — What It Is and Why So Many Pensioners Miss Out
Hundreds of thousands of eligible pensioners don't claim Pension Credit, often due to misunderstandings about savings and homeownership. Find out what it actually is, how much it pays, and why claiming matters even for a small amount.
Pension CreditDoes Pension Credit Affect Other Benefits?
Pension Credit can unlock much larger support elsewhere — from Housing Benefit to free NHS costs. Find out exactly how it interacts with other benefits, and what to watch out for.
PIPIs the PIP 4-Point Rule Really Happening in November 2026?
The '4-point rule' for PIP was scrapped in July 2025 — here's what actually changed, what's still coming, and what it means for your claim.
PIPHow to Appeal a PIP Decision — Mandatory Reconsideration and Tribunal, Step by Step
PIP decisions can be successfully challenged — around two-thirds of tribunal appeals succeed. Here's exactly how Mandatory Reconsideration and tribunal appeals work, with time limits, evidence tips, and what to expect at each stage.
PIPPIP for ME/CFS — What You Could Be Entitled To
ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) can significantly affect daily living and mobility. Find out how PIP assesses fluctuating fatigue conditions, why the 'reliability' rules matter so much for ME/CFS claims, and what you could be entitled to.
Universal CreditHow to Appeal a Universal Credit Decision — Mandatory Reconsideration and Tribunal Explained
Whether it's a sanction, a Work Capability Assessment outcome, or an overpayment decision, here's exactly how to challenge a Universal Credit decision — from Mandatory Reconsideration through to an independent tribunal.
Universal CreditUniversal Credit Health Element — What Is It and Who Gets It?
A major policy change from April 2026 means the Universal Credit health element (LCWRA) now pays two different rates depending on when your claim started. Find out which one applies to you.
Universal CreditAm I Eligible for Universal Credit If I Work Part Time?
Universal Credit is designed to top up part-time earnings, not just support people out of work entirely. Find out how work allowances and the 55% taper actually work.
Universal CreditUniversal Credit and Savings — Does Having Money in the Bank Stop You Claiming?
Savings under £6,000 don't affect Universal Credit at all — and even savings up to £16,000 only reduce your award, rather than removing it. Find out exactly how the tariff income calculation works.
Universal CreditUniversal Credit If You're Self-Employed — What You Need to Know
Self-employed Universal Credit claimants report their own income each month, and after a 12-month start-up period, the Minimum Income Floor can assume a higher income than you actually earned. Find out exactly how it works.
PIPPIP for Arthritis — Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common conditions in PIP claims. Find out how both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis are assessed, what evidence helps, and what you could receive.
PIPPIP for Depression and Anxiety — What You Need to Know
Mental health conditions including depression and anxiety can qualify for PIP. Find out how these conditions are assessed and what you could be entitled to.
PIPPIP for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) — What You're Entitled To
MND is a rapidly progressive condition that significantly affects daily living and mobility. Find out how PIP is assessed for MND, the Special Rules for Terminal Illness, and how to claim quickly.
PIPPIP for Parkinson's Disease — What You Could Be Entitled To
Parkinson's disease progressively affects daily living and mobility. Find out how PIP assesses Parkinson's, how the condition is scored across activities, and what award you might receive.
PIPPIP After a Stroke — What You Could Be Entitled To
A stroke can leave lasting disabilities that significantly affect daily living and mobility. Find out how PIP assesses stroke survivors and what you could be entitled to.
Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance for Cancer — Support During and After Treatment
Cancer and its treatment can create significant care needs in older age. Find out how Attendance Allowance is assessed for cancer and how the Special Rules for Terminal Illness work.
Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance for Falls and Frailty in Older Age
Falls risk and frailty are among the most common reasons older people need care and supervision. Find out how these affect Attendance Allowance eligibility and what you could receive.
Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance After Hip or Knee Replacement
Hip and knee replacement recovery can create significant care needs. Find out how Attendance Allowance applies after joint replacement surgery and when to claim.
Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance for Kidney Disease and Dialysis
Chronic kidney disease and dialysis create significant care needs and fatigue. Find out how kidney conditions are assessed for Attendance Allowance and what you could receive.
Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance for Liver Disease
Serious liver conditions including cirrhosis can significantly affect daily living. Find out how liver disease is assessed for Attendance Allowance and what support is available.
Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance for Motor Neurone Disease (MND)
MND is a rapidly progressive condition that quickly creates significant care needs. Find out how MND is assessed for Attendance Allowance and how to claim quickly.
Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance When You Have Multiple Conditions
Having multiple health conditions together often creates greater care needs than any single condition alone. Find out how Attendance Allowance is assessed when you have several conditions.
Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance for Vision Loss and Blindness
Severe vision loss and blindness can significantly affect personal care and safety. Find out how visual impairment is assessed for Attendance Allowance and what support is available.
PIPPIP for Bipolar Disorder — What You Could Be Entitled To
Bipolar disorder affects daily living differently across mood episodes. Find out how PIP assesses bipolar disorder, which activities score highest, and what award you might receive.
PIPPIP for Cancer — What You Could Be Entitled To During and After Treatment
Cancer and cancer treatment can significantly affect daily living and mobility. Find out how PIP is assessed for cancer, the Special Rules for Terminal Illness, and what you could receive.
PIPPIP for Crohn's Disease and IBD — What You Could Be Entitled To
Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and other IBD conditions can significantly affect daily living. Find out how inflammatory bowel disease is assessed for PIP.
PIPPIP for Epilepsy — How Seizures Affect Your Entitlement
Epilepsy can significantly affect daily living and mobility through seizures and their aftermath. Find out how PIP assesses epilepsy and what you could be entitled to.
PIPPIP for Schizophrenia and Psychosis — What You Could Be Entitled To
Schizophrenia and psychotic conditions significantly affect daily living. Find out how PIP assesses psychotic conditions, which activities score highest, and what support is available.
Universal CreditUniversal Credit When You Move House — What You Need to Report
Moving house affects your Universal Credit housing costs element. Find out what to report, when to report it, and how your payment might change.
Universal CreditUniversal Credit With a New Baby — What Changes and What You're Entitled To
Having a baby affects your Universal Credit claim in several important ways. Find out about the baby element, childcare costs, and what you need to report.
Universal CreditUniversal Credit After Redundancy — What to Do and What You're Entitled To
Being made redundant affects your Universal Credit claim immediately. Find out what to report, how your payment changes, and what other support is available.
Universal CreditUniversal Credit After Separation or Relationship Breakdown
Separating from a partner significantly affects your Universal Credit claim. Find out how to move from a joint to single claim, what changes, and what you could receive.
Universal CreditStarting Self-Employment on Universal Credit — What You Need to Know
Starting a business while on Universal Credit affects how your income is assessed. Find out about the startup period, Minimum Income Floor, and what to report monthly.
Universal CreditUniversal Credit When You Stop Working — What Happens to Your Claim
Stopping work, whether through illness, redundancy or choice, significantly affects your Universal Credit. Find out what changes, what to report, and what you could receive.
Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance for Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease progressively affects daily living and personal care. Find out how Attendance Allowance is assessed for Parkinson's and what support is available.
PIPHow to Prepare for a PIP Assessment — What Assessors Actually Look For
A PIP assessment can feel daunting, but knowing what assessors look for, how points are scored, and how to describe your condition makes a real difference to the outcome.
PIPPIP for ADHD — What Adults with ADHD Could Be Entitled To
ADHD in adults can significantly affect daily living. Find out how ADHD is assessed for PIP, which activities are most commonly affected, and what you could receive.
PIPPIP for Autism — How Autism Spectrum Conditions Are Assessed
Autism can affect daily living and mobility in ways that aren't always obvious. Find out how PIP assesses autism spectrum conditions and what you could be entitled to.
PIPPIP for Chronic Pain — How Pain Conditions Are Assessed
Chronic pain affects millions of people but is poorly understood in PIP assessments. Find out how to present your claim effectively and what you could be entitled to.
PIPPIP for Diabetes — Type 1 and Type 2
Diabetes can qualify for PIP where it significantly affects daily living or mobility. Find out how diabetes is assessed, what complications matter most, and what you could receive.
PIPPIP for Fibromyalgia — What You Could Be Entitled To
Fibromyalgia can significantly affect daily living and mobility. Find out how PIP is assessed for fibromyalgia, what evidence helps, and what award you might expect.
PIPPIP for Multiple Sclerosis — What You Could Be Entitled To
MS affects daily living and mobility in complex ways. Find out how PIP assesses multiple sclerosis, how relapses and progressive MS are handled, and what award you might expect.
PIPCan I Claim PIP If I Work Full Time?
Yes — PIP has nothing to do with whether you work or how much you earn. Find out how PIP eligibility works for people in full-time employment.
PIPWhat Benefits Can I Claim If I'm Sick and Can't Work?
If illness or injury has stopped you working, you may be entitled to several benefits. This guide explains what's available, who qualifies, and where to start.
PIPHow Do PIP Points Work? A Plain-English Guide
Confused by the PIP points system? We explain how daily living and mobility activities are scored, what the thresholds are, and what affects your award.
GeneralHow to Appeal a Benefit Decision — Mandatory Reconsideration and Tribunal, in Brief
Every DWP benefit decision can be challenged through the same two-stage process. Here's the general process in brief, plus links to our full PIP and Universal Credit appeal guides.
PIPWhat Conditions Qualify for PIP?
PIP isn't a list of qualifying conditions — it's about how your condition affects you. Here's what assessors actually look for and how different types of conditions map to the descriptors.