UK benefits guides and explainers for 2026/27
Plain-English UK benefits guides covering Universal Credit, PIP, Child Benefit, Pension Credit, HICBC, savings rules, rent help and working-family support.
New to the benefits system?
These four guides give the clearest overview of how UK support works and where to begin.
What benefits can I claim?
A practical UK guide to the main benefits and support routes for low income, disability, children, rent and pension-age households.
Universal Credit explained 2026/27, rates, capital limits and working-family rules
Universal Credit guide for 2026/27: rates, work allowance, £6,000 and £16,000 capital limits, tariff income, savings rules and what working families should check next.
PIP rates, points and eligibility 2026/27
PIP explained 2026/27, daily living and mobility components, points, weekly rates, eligibility criteria and what evidence strengthens a claim.
Pension Credit explained 2026/27, savings rules, rates and eligibility
Who qualifies for Pension Credit in 2026/27: State Pension age, living in Great Britain and weekly income under £238 (single) or £363.25 (couple). Savings, extras and how to claim.
Guides for your household
Focused guides for families, renters, people who cannot work and those approaching pension age.
Benefits for low-income families
UK support for low-income families 2026/27: Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Free School Meals, Healthy Start and childcare help explained.
Help with rent and council tax
UK rent and council tax support 2026/27: Universal Credit housing costs, Housing Benefit eligibility, Council Tax Reduction, the LHA cap and Discretionary Housing Payments explained, with a worked shortfall example.
ESA vs Universal Credit
When ESA, Universal Credit or both may apply, and why the two systems often overlap for people with health conditions.
Child Benefit and HICBC thresholds 2026/27
Child Benefit 2026/27: £27.05/week first child. HICBC threshold £60,000 adjusted net income, charge claws back 1% per £200 over threshold, reaching 100% at £80,000. Pension contributions can reduce adjusted net income below the threshold.
Deep-dive topic guides
Detailed guides on savings rules, income treatment, childcare and the tax charges that affect higher earners.
How Much Savings Can You Have on Universal Credit? 2026/27 Rules
Savings rules for UK benefits 2026/27: UC ignores savings below £6,000. Between £6,000 and £16,000 your award is reduced by £4.35/month per £250 over the threshold. Over £16,000, UC stops. Pension Credit uses a more lenient £10,000 disregard. PIP and Child Benefit are unaffected by savings.
What counts as income for benefit calculations?
What counts as income for Universal Credit in 2026/27: earnings tapered at 55% after the work allowance, benefits that count pound-for-pound, and what is ignored like PIP and Child Benefit.
Tax-Free Childcare explained
Tax-Free Childcare 2026/27: how the 20% top-up works, who qualifies, maximum savings per child, and how it compares to UC childcare support.
Examples and comparison pages worth reading next
These pages are built for the searches that usually come after the main calculator: real income bands, child counts, rent changes, pension-age examples and PIP component questions.
How much Child Benefit for 1, 2 or 3 children?
Child Benefit for 1, 2 and 3 children in 2026/27: £27.05, £44.95 and £62.85 a week, worth £1,406.60, £2,337.40 and £3,268.20 a year, plus when the High Income Charge bites.
Child Benefit tax charge examples
Worked HICBC examples showing how much Child Benefit is repaid at different incomes and child counts, in plain English.
Tax-Free Childcare top-up examples
Tax-Free Childcare worked examples for 2026/27: pay £800 a quarter and the government adds £200 for £1,000 of childcare, up to £2,000 per child a year, and when UC beats it.
Pension Credit examples for a single pensioner
Worked Pension Credit examples for a single pensioner in 2026/27: income of £210 a week is topped up by £28.00 to reach the £238.00 guarantee, plus how savings change it.
Pension Credit examples for a couple
Worked Pension Credit examples for a couple in 2026/27: joint income of £320 a week is topped up by £43.25 to reach the £363.25 guarantee, plus how savings change it.
What Pension Credit unlocks
Even a £1-a-week Pension Credit award unlocks Council Tax Reduction, a free TV licence over 75, NHS cost help and £25 Cold Weather Payments in 2026/27. The Winter Fuel Payment no longer depends on it.
PIP daily living explained
The PIP daily living component in 2026/27: £76.70 standard or £114.60 enhanced a week, the 10 activities, the 8 and 12 point thresholds, and why it is not means-tested.
PIP mobility explained
The PIP mobility component in 2026/27: £30.30 standard or £80.00 enhanced a week, the two activities scored, and how enhanced mobility unlocks the Blue Badge and Motability.
Universal Credit rent increase explained
When your rent goes up, report it straight away, but Universal Credit only covers the rise within the Local Housing Allowance, the bedroom rules and the benefit cap.
Scenario explainers people read after using a calculator
These pages focus on the practical changes that trigger the most anxiety: moving in with a partner, higher earnings, rent increases and savings crossing UC thresholds.
What happens to Universal Credit if my savings increase?
UC savings rules 2026/27: below £6,000 ignored entirely, £6,000–£16,000 reduces your award at £4.35/month per £250 over, over £16,000 stops UC entitlement. Use the savings impact calculator to see the effect on your award.
What happens to Universal Credit if I work more hours?
Working more hours and Universal Credit 2026/27: the 55% taper means you keep 45p per extra pound earned above the work allowance (£710/month or £427 with housing). See a worked example of exactly how your UC award changes.
What happens to my benefits if my partner moves in?
Partner moves in and benefits 2026/27: UC switches to a joint claim, savings are assessed jointly, single person council tax discount ends. See what changes, what to report to DWP and by when.
What happens to my benefits if my rent increases?
Rent increase and UC 2026/27: the housing element is capped by the Local Housing Allowance for your area, a rent rise above the LHA cap doesn't increase UC. See the LHA rules, benefit cap interactions, and DHP options.
Situation-led support guides
Use these pages when you want the support picture for a renter, pensioner, single parent or someone who cannot work, rather than one scheme in isolation.
Benefits for working families 2026/27, Universal Credit, Child Benefit and childcare
Working families benefits 2026/27: Universal Credit with a £710 work allowance, Child Benefit, 85% childcare and Council Tax help, with a full worked example.
Benefits for single parents
Single parent benefits 2026/27: Universal Credit work allowance, Child Benefit, childcare support and council tax help, with a full worked example and calculator.
Benefits for renters
Benefits for renters 2026/27: Universal Credit housing costs capped at your Local Housing Allowance rate, Housing Benefit for pension-age cases, plus Council Tax Reduction, with a worked rent example.
Benefits for pensioners
Pensioner benefits 2026/27: Pension Credit tops income to £238.00/week single, the new State Pension is £241.30, Attendance Allowance pays up to £114.60, plus council tax and winter help, with a worked example.
Benefits if you cannot work
Benefits if you cannot work 2026/27: SSP £123.25/week for 28 weeks, then New Style ESA up to £145.90, UC with the £217.26 LCWRA element, plus non-means-tested PIP.
Universal Credit and benefits calculator for Northern Ireland 2026/27
Northern Ireland benefits 2026/27: same core rates as GB, UC standard allowance £424.90 single, Child Benefit £27.05, PIP up to £194.60, but run by the DfC with domestic rates instead of council tax.
Clustered pathways into the main support areas
These hubs tie calculators and guides together so users can stay within the same topic instead of jumping to unrelated pages.
Universal Credit hub
Universal Credit hub 2026/27: how it works, what drives the award, how earnings and savings affect it, and which calculators and guides to use.
Family and childcare support hub
Child Benefit, Tax-Free Childcare, Free School Meals, Healthy Start, Sure Start and maternity support, all the UK family benefit tools in one place.
Rent and council tax support hub
UC housing costs, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and the Benefit Cap, all the tools for understanding housing support in one place.
Disability and health support hub
PIP, ESA, SSP, the UC health element and the Benefit Cap disability exemption, all the disability-related benefit tools in one place.
Pension-age support hub
Pension Credit, council tax help, winter payments and worked examples for pension-age households in one place.
Complete guide library
UK benefit rates 2026/27: the complete list of new amounts
The complete list of UK benefit rates for 2026/27: Universal Credit standard allowances (£424.90/£666.97 a month), PIP (£76.70–£114.60 daily living, £30.30–£80.00 mobility), Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance £86.45, Child Benefit £27.05, the full State Pension £241.30 and the benefit cap, all on one page.
What benefits can I claim?
A practical UK guide to the main benefits and support routes for low income, disability, children, rent and pension-age households.
Universal Credit explained 2026/27, rates, capital limits and working-family rules
Universal Credit guide for 2026/27: rates, work allowance, £6,000 and £16,000 capital limits, tariff income, savings rules and what working families should check next.
Universal Credit if my wages go up
What really happens to Universal Credit when your wages rise in 2026/27: the 55% taper, the £710 work allowance and a worked example showing you keep £95.50 of a £200 pay rise.
Universal Credit if a partner moves in
What usually changes when a partner moves in while you claim Universal Credit, including household assessment, joint savings and what to re-check next.
How Much Savings Can You Have on Universal Credit? 2026/27 Rules
Savings rules for UK benefits 2026/27: UC ignores savings below £6,000. Between £6,000 and £16,000 your award is reduced by £4.35/month per £250 over the threshold. Over £16,000, UC stops. Pension Credit uses a more lenient £10,000 disregard. PIP and Child Benefit are unaffected by savings.
Help with rent and council tax
UK rent and council tax support 2026/27: Universal Credit housing costs, Housing Benefit eligibility, Council Tax Reduction, the LHA cap and Discretionary Housing Payments explained, with a worked shortfall example.
Benefits for low-income families
UK support for low-income families 2026/27: Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Free School Meals, Healthy Start and childcare help explained.
PIP rates, points and eligibility 2026/27
PIP explained 2026/27, daily living and mobility components, points, weekly rates, eligibility criteria and what evidence strengthens a claim.
PIP points explained: every descriptor and how many points you need
PIP points 2026/27: 8 points gives the standard rate, 12 the enhanced. Full table of every descriptor across all 12 activities, plus the 2026/27 weekly rates.
ESA vs Universal Credit
When ESA, Universal Credit or both may apply, and why the two systems often overlap for people with health conditions.
Child Benefit and HICBC thresholds 2026/27
Child Benefit 2026/27: £27.05/week first child. HICBC threshold £60,000 adjusted net income, charge claws back 1% per £200 over threshold, reaching 100% at £80,000. Pension contributions can reduce adjusted net income below the threshold.
How much Child Benefit for 1, 2 or 3 children?
Child Benefit for 1, 2 and 3 children in 2026/27: £27.05, £44.95 and £62.85 a week, worth £1,406.60, £2,337.40 and £3,268.20 a year, plus when the High Income Charge bites.
Child Benefit tax charge examples
Worked HICBC examples showing how much Child Benefit is repaid at different incomes and child counts, in plain English.
Pension Credit explained 2026/27, savings rules, rates and eligibility
Who qualifies for Pension Credit in 2026/27: State Pension age, living in Great Britain and weekly income under £238 (single) or £363.25 (couple). Savings, extras and how to claim.
Pension Credit examples for a single pensioner
Worked Pension Credit examples for a single pensioner in 2026/27: income of £210 a week is topped up by £28.00 to reach the £238.00 guarantee, plus how savings change it.
Pension Credit examples for a couple
Worked Pension Credit examples for a couple in 2026/27: joint income of £320 a week is topped up by £43.25 to reach the £363.25 guarantee, plus how savings change it.
Tax-Free Childcare explained
Tax-Free Childcare 2026/27: how the 20% top-up works, who qualifies, maximum savings per child, and how it compares to UC childcare support.
What counts as income for benefit calculations?
What counts as income for Universal Credit in 2026/27: earnings tapered at 55% after the work allowance, benefits that count pound-for-pound, and what is ignored like PIP and Child Benefit.
Universal Credit rent increase explained
When your rent goes up, report it straight away, but Universal Credit only covers the rise within the Local Housing Allowance, the bedroom rules and the benefit cap.
Tax-Free Childcare top-up examples
Tax-Free Childcare worked examples for 2026/27: pay £800 a quarter and the government adds £200 for £1,000 of childcare, up to £2,000 per child a year, and when UC beats it.
What Pension Credit unlocks
Even a £1-a-week Pension Credit award unlocks Council Tax Reduction, a free TV licence over 75, NHS cost help and £25 Cold Weather Payments in 2026/27. The Winter Fuel Payment no longer depends on it.
PIP daily living explained
The PIP daily living component in 2026/27: £76.70 standard or £114.60 enhanced a week, the 10 activities, the 8 and 12 point thresholds, and why it is not means-tested.
PIP mobility explained
The PIP mobility component in 2026/27: £30.30 standard or £80.00 enhanced a week, the two activities scored, and how enhanced mobility unlocks the Blue Badge and Motability.
Universal Credit Capital Disregards 2026/27 | What Counts as Savings
What counts as capital for UC in 2026/27? ISAs, savings and Premium Bonds do; your home doesn't. Under £6,000 is ignored; over £16,000 stops UC.
Benefits for working families in 2026/27: what can you still claim while working?
Still working? In 2026/27 you can claim UC (£710/mo work allowance), Child Benefit £27.05/wk, 85% of childcare and Free School Meals. Free calculator.
Universal Credit in Scotland 2026/27: Scottish Choices and Supplements
Scotland has devolved some welfare powers. This guide covers Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grants, the Scottish Welfare Fund and how they interact with Universal Credit.
Universal Credit in Wales 2026/27: Welsh Support and the Discretionary Assistance Fund
Universal Credit rules are the same in Wales as in England, but the Welsh Government runs the Discretionary Assistance Fund for emergencies and has expanded free school meals. This guide covers what is available.
Benefits and Self-Employment in 2026/27: Universal Credit and the Minimum Income Floor
Self-employed people claiming Universal Credit face a Minimum Income Floor that can reduce their award even when profits are low. This guide explains how the MIF works, who is exempt, and what to do if your income is variable.
Child Benefit and the High Income Child Benefit Charge 2026/27
Child Benefit pays £27.05 per week for your eldest child and £17.90 for each additional child in 2026/27. But the High Income Child Benefit Charge claws it back once either parent earns over £60,000. This guide explains the rates, how the taper works, and whether it is still worth claiming.
Housing Benefit vs UC Housing Cost Element 2026/27
Housing Benefit is being phased out for working-age claimants and replaced by the UC Housing Cost Element. This guide explains the key differences, who still receives Housing Benefit, how Local Housing Allowance rates are set, and what to do if LHA does not cover your rent.
The Benefit Cap 2026/27: Rates, Exemptions and How It Affects Your UC
The benefit cap is £1,835 a month for families outside London and £2,110.25 in London in 2026/27 (£1,229.42 / £1,413.92 single). Who is exempt and how it works.
Universal Credit Savings Rules 2026/27 | £6,000 and £16,000 Thresholds
UC savings rules 2026/27: savings below £6,000 are fully ignored. Between £6,000 and £16,000, tariff income of £4.35 per £250 above £6k reduces your award. Over £16,000 UC stops. What counts as savings for benefits explained.
Universal Credit Work Allowance, How Much Can You Earn?
The UC work allowance in 2026/27: £710/month with no housing element, £427/month with housing. Who gets one, how it interacts with the 55% taper, and why it matters.
PIP Assessment, What to Expect and How to Prepare
How the PIP assessment process works in 2026/27, what assessors look at, how to describe your condition, the importance of evidence and how the scoring system produces standard or enhanced rate.
Moving From Legacy Benefits to UC, What Changes?
Managed migration from legacy benefits to Universal Credit: what it means, which benefits are being replaced, how transitional protection works and what to do before you claim.
Single parent benefits UK 2026/27, complete guide
Single parent benefits UK 2026/27: Universal Credit with work allowance, Child Benefit, childcare support, council tax help and Free School Meals. Rates, rules and how to claim.
Bereavement Support Payment guide 2026/27, rates, eligibility and UC interaction
Bereavement Support Payment 2026/27: higher rate £3,500 lump sum plus 18 × £350/month, lower rate £2,500 plus 18 × £100/month. Eligibility rules, NI contribution test and how BSP affects Universal Credit.
Benefits for over 60s UK 2026/27, full guide
Benefits for over 60s UK 2026/27: Pension Credit, Council Tax Reduction, Winter Fuel Payment, Attendance Allowance, free prescriptions and bus passes. Age 60 to State Pension age and pension-age rules explained.
Housing Benefit vs UC housing costs, what changed and what to check
How housing support moved from Housing Benefit to Universal Credit housing costs element. LHA rates, bedroom rules, managed migration and what renters should check in 2026/27.
How Much Savings Can You Have on Universal Credit? 2026/27
You can have up to £6,000 in savings with no effect on Universal Credit. Between £6,000 and £16,000 your award is reduced by tariff income. Over £16,000, UC stops entirely. Full 2026/27 rules explained.
What Counts as Savings for Benefits UK 2026/27
Cash savings, ISAs, stocks, Premium Bonds, second properties and lump sums all count as savings for benefits. Your main home, personal possessions and pension funds do not. Full list for UC, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit 2026/27.
Universal Credit Capital Rules 2026/27 | Savings Thresholds Explained
UC capital rules 2026: savings below £6,000 ignored, tariff income of £4.35 per £250 above £6,000 reduces your award, £16,000 hard limit stops UC. Worked examples at £7,000, £10,000 and £14,000 in savings.
PIP Rates 2026/27 | Daily Living and Mobility Components Explained
PIP 2026/27 weekly, 4-weekly and yearly: daily living £76.70 or £114.60, mobility £30.30 or £80.00, up to £194.60 a week (£778.40 every 4 weeks).
Working Tax Credit 2026/27 | Rates, Eligibility and Migration to UC
Working Tax Credit is a legacy benefit being replaced by Universal Credit. In 2026/27 the basic element is £2,500 per year. If you receive a managed migration notice, you must claim UC within 3 months. Rates, childcare element and what to do explained.
Family Income Benefit: What It Is and How It Works
Family Income Benefit is a life insurance product, not a state benefit. It pays a regular monthly income to your family if you die during the policy term. It is not the same as Child Benefit, Universal Credit or any DWP payment.
Universal Credit for Single Parents 2026/27 | Rates, Work Allowance and Childcare
UC for single parents 2026/27: £424.90 standard allowance (25+), £303.94 a month per child, a £710 or £427 work allowance and up to 85% of childcare. Worked example.
Benefits Checker UK 2026/27 | Which Benefits Can You Claim?
Benefits checker for UK 2026/27: working age? Check Universal Credit. Have children? Child Benefit. Disabled? PIP. Over pension age? Pension Credit. Renting? Housing costs element. Full decision guide and table of main benefits.
Universal Credit Tariff Income Explained | £4.35 per £250 Rule
UC tariff income adds £4.35 per month for every £250 (or part of £250) above £6,000 in savings. Savings of £9,000 = £52.20/month off your UC. Full table from £6,000 to £16,000 and why the £16,000 cliff edge matters.
Pension Credit Savings Rules 2026/27 | How Much Can You Have in the Bank?
There is no savings limit for Pension Credit. The first £10,000 is ignored; above it each £500, or part of £500, counts as £1 a week of income. Examples at 2026/27 rates.
Universal Credit for Self-Employed 2026/27 | MIF, Reporting and Rates
UC for the self-employed in 2026/27: the Minimum Income Floor (£12.71 x 35 hours = £1,927.68 a month before notional tax and NI), start-up period, reporting.
Can DWP check your bank account? The 2026 rules
DWP can get bank details in a fraud investigation, and 2025 powers let it ask banks to flag benefit accounts. What DWP can and cannot see, and who is covered.
Benefits in Scotland 2026/27
Scotland has its own additional benefits on top of UK-wide DWP payments. Scottish Child Payment is £28.20 per week per child under 16. Winter Heating Payment is £62.00. Best Start Foods, Best Start Grants and UC Scottish Choices are all explained here.
Benefits in Wales 2026/27
Wales has several additional benefits on top of UK-wide DWP payments. The Discretionary Assistance Fund provides emergency grants. Free school meals are available to all primary pupils. Free prescriptions apply to everyone. Flying Start supports families with young children.
How Much Is a DAF Payment in Wales? 2026/27 Grants Explained
No fixed amount: an Emergency Assistance Payment covers urgent food, energy or travel, and an Individual Assistance Payment gives household goods.
Benefits in Northern Ireland 2026/27
Northern Ireland operates a separate but largely parallel benefits system to Great Britain. The Social Security Agency administers benefits on the same rates as DWP. Discretionary Support replaces the Social Fund. Free prescriptions apply to all. This guide explains how it works.
Do ISAs count as savings for Universal Credit?
Yes, ISAs count as savings for Universal Credit: no effect under £6,000, £4.35 a month per £250 above it, and over £16,000 stops UC.
Premium Bonds and benefits: do they affect Universal Credit?
Premium Bonds count as capital for Universal Credit at face value, so they count towards the £6,000 and £16,000 limits. Pension Credit treats them far more gently.
Second property and benefits: does a second home affect Universal Credit?
A second property counts as capital for Universal Credit at market value minus the mortgage and 10% sale costs. That usually clears £16,000 and stops UC.
Inheritance and benefits: how does inheriting money affect Universal Credit?
Inheriting money, property or assets can push your capital above UC thresholds. Full 2026/27 guide to inheritance, the £6,000 and £16,000 rules, and what to do.
Personal injury compensation and Universal Credit
Personal injury compensation is disregarded for Universal Credit if held in a personal injury trust, or for up to 52 weeks as a lump sum. Set up a trust to protect it.
Does a pension pot affect Universal Credit?
An untouched pension pot below pension access age is not counted as capital for Universal Credit. Once you draw from it, the money becomes capital or income.
Children's savings and Universal Credit: do Junior ISAs count?
Savings held in a child's own name, including Junior ISAs and Child Trust Funds, are not counted as a parent's capital for Universal Credit. Money you hold for them can be.
Lump sum payments and Universal Credit: what counts as capital?
A lump sum such as redundancy, compensation, backdated pay or a gift usually counts as capital from the day it arrives, so it can reduce or stop your Universal Credit.
Savings over £16,000 and Universal Credit: what are your options?
Capital over £16,000 normally stops Universal Credit outright. Pension Credit has no upper limit, and PIP, Attendance Allowance and Child Benefit are unaffected.
Deprivation of capital: what is it and how does DWP apply the rules?
Deprivation of capital means deliberately reducing assets to qualify for benefits. DWP can treat you as still holding the funds. Full guide to the 2026/27 rules and common scenarios.
Tax credits ended: moving to Universal Credit in 2026
Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit ended for all remaining claimants in 2025. Guide to managed migration to Universal Credit, transitional protection and what to do next.
PIP mandatory reconsideration and appeal: a step-by-step guide
Turned down for PIP? Ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month, then appeal to a tribunal. 67% of PIP appeals decided in early 2026 went the claimant's way.
Is PIP means-tested? Savings, inheritance, work and PIP
No. PIP is not means-tested: savings, an inheritance, a partner's income and full-time work don't affect it. What money can change instead, and what to report.
Universal Credit health element 2026/27: LCWRA £217.26 or £429.80?
UC health element 2026/27: £217.26 a month for most new claims, £429.80 for severe or terminal conditions and many pre-April 2026 claimants. Who gets which rate.
PIP review form: how to fill it in and what happens next
Got a PIP review form? You usually have one month to return it, and PIP keeps being paid while DWP reviews it. What to write, what evidence to send, and what happens next.
How to fill in the PIP form: tips for each of the 12 activities
PIP form tips, activity by activity: what each question is really assessing, the points for each descriptor, the 50% and reliability rules, and the details people leave out.
Pension Credit backdating: claim up to 3 months back
Pension Credit can be backdated by up to 3 months if you were eligible then, and you can apply up to 4 months before State Pension age. How it works, with a worked example.
Pension Credit when one partner is under State Pension age
If one of you is under State Pension age, you usually can't make a new Pension Credit claim and claim Universal Credit instead. The exceptions, and a worked example of the difference.
Pay the Child Benefit charge through PAYE (your tax code)
Employed and over £60,000? You can pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge through your tax code instead of Self Assessment. Who can, what you need, the deadline, and an example.
Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit childcare: which pays more?
You can't have both. UC pays back up to 85% of childcare costs, Tax-Free Childcare adds 20% up to £2,000 a child. Worked examples showing when each one wins.
Child Benefit after 16: staying in education or training
Child Benefit stops on 31 August after your child's 16th birthday unless you tell HMRC they're staying in approved education or training. What counts, until when, and how to extend it.
State Pension 2026/27: how much is the full State Pension?
Full new State Pension 2026/27: £241.30 a week (£12,547.60 a year); basic State Pension £184.90. Qualifying years, pension age, tax and Pension Credit.
Attendance Allowance 2026/27: rates, who qualifies and what it unlocks
Attendance Allowance is £76.70 or £114.60 a week in 2026/27, not means-tested and tax-free. Who qualifies, how to claim, and the Pension Credit it can unlock.
Universal Credit carer element 2026/27: how much it is and who gets it
The Universal Credit carer element is £209.34 a month in 2026/27 for 35+ hours of caring. Who qualifies, the Carer's Allowance deduction, and worked examples.
Carer's Allowance earnings limit 2026/27: how much can you earn?
You can earn £204 a week after tax, NI and expenses and still get Carer's Allowance (£86.45) in 2026/27. What you can deduct, savings, State Pension, examples.
Attendance Allowance vs PIP: which one can you claim in 2026/27?
PIP is for new claims under State Pension age and pays up to £194.60 a week; Attendance Allowance is for over State Pension age, up to £114.60. Key differences.
Pension Credit review letter: what the DWP review is and what to do
DWP is reviewing Pension Credit claims at risk of being incorrect, April 2026 to April 2029. What DWP has said, what to do and free help.
Christmas and New Year 2026 benefit payment dates
Benefits due on Christmas Day, Boxing Day (Monday 28 December) or New Year's Day 2026 are usually paid on the working day before. Find your date, and how long the wait to January's payment will be.
Child maintenance rates: how the CMS works out weekly payments
The Child Maintenance Service rates: nil, £7 flat, reduced, basic 12%, 16% or 19%, basic plus above £800 a week, shared care reductions and Collect and Pay fees, with worked examples.
Child maintenance and Universal Credit: does it affect your claim?
Child maintenance you receive does not reduce Universal Credit. If you pay maintenance while on Universal Credit with no earnings, the flat rate is £7 a week, usually taken from your UC.
Child maintenance when you have other children: how the CMS adjusts
If the paying parent supports other children at home, the CMS cuts their counted income by 11%, 14% or 16% before working out maintenance. Tables and worked examples.
Benefits after separation: a money checklist for parents
What to check after separating: child maintenance, Child Benefit (only one person can claim), Universal Credit as a single claimant, the 25% Council Tax discount and childcare help, with free calculators.
Every "what happens if" and household guide
By household or situation
- Benefits for single parents
- Benefits if you cannot work
- Benefits for renters
- Benefits for pensioners
- Universal Credit and benefits calculator for Northern Ireland 2026/27
- Benefits for low-income families
- Benefits for working families 2026/27, Universal Credit, Child Benefit and childcare
- Benefits for Carers 2026/27 | Carer's Allowance, UC Carer Element and Credits
- Benefits for Over State Pension Age 2026/27 | Full Guide
- Benefits for Disabled Adults 2026/27 | PIP, UC LCWRA and More
- Benefits if You Are Unemployed 2026/27 | UC, JSA and What to Claim
What happens if…
- What happens to Universal Credit if my savings increase?
- What happens to Universal Credit if I work more hours?
- What happens to my benefits if my partner moves in?
- What happens to my benefits if my rent increases?
- Carer's Allowance explained 2026/27, rates, eligibility and how it affects other benefits
- PIP 2026/27 | Rates, Points, Eligibility and How the Assessment Works
- Child Benefit 2026/27 | Rates, High Income Charge and How to Claim
- What happens to my benefits if I get a pay rise?
- What happens to Universal Credit when I start work?
- What happens to my Universal Credit if my rent goes up?
- What happens if I have another child?
- What happens to Universal Credit if I inherit money?
- What Happens to Universal Credit If Your Savings Go Over £6,000?
- What Happens to Universal Credit If I Receive a Lump Sum?
- What Happens to Universal Credit If I'm Off Sick?
- What Happens to Universal Credit If I Go Into Hospital?
- What Happens to Universal Credit If You Get a PIP Award?
- What Happens to Benefits When My Child Turns 16?
- What Happens to Universal Credit If I Get a Redundancy Payment?
- What Happens to Universal Credit If I Start Self-Employment?
- What Happens to Universal Credit If I Separate From My Partner?