Plain-English UK benefits guides covering Universal Credit, PIP, Child Benefit, Pension Credit, HICBC, savings rules, rent help and working-family support.
These four guides give the clearest overview of how UK support works and where to begin.
A practical UK guide to the main benefits and support routes for low income, disability, children, rent and pension-age households.
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 explained 2026/27, daily living and mobility components, points, weekly rates, eligibility criteria and what evidence strengthens a claim.
Pension Credit 2026/27: who qualifies, how much savings you can have, Guarantee Credit rates, and how a small award unlocks council tax, heating and NHS support.
Focused guides for families, renters, people who cannot work and those approaching pension age.
UK support for low-income families 2026/27: Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Free School Meals, Healthy Start and childcare help explained.
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.
When ESA, Universal Credit or both may apply, and why the two systems often overlap for people with health conditions.
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.
Detailed guides on savings rules, income treatment, childcare and the tax charges that affect higher earners.
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. At £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 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 2026/27: how the 20% top-up works, who qualifies, maximum savings per child, and how it compares to UC childcare support.
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.
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.
Worked HICBC examples showing how much Child Benefit is repaid at different incomes and child counts, in plain English.
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.
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.
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.
Even a £1-a-week Pension Credit award unlocks Council Tax Reduction, Winter Fuel Payment, a free TV licence over 75, NHS cost help and £25 Cold Weather Payments in 2026/27.
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.
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.
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.
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.
UC savings rules 2026/27: below £6,000 ignored entirely, £6,000–£16,000 reduces your award at £4.35/month per £250 over, £16,000+ stops UC entitlement. Use the savings impact calculator to see the effect on your award.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
These hubs tie calculators and guides together so users can stay within the same topic instead of jumping to unrelated pages.
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.
Child Benefit, Tax-Free Childcare, Free School Meals, Healthy Start, Sure Start and maternity support, all the UK family benefit tools in one place.
UC housing costs, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and the Benefit Cap, all the tools for understanding housing support in one place.
PIP, ESA, SSP, the UC health element and the Benefit Cap disability exemption, all the disability-related benefit tools in one place.
Pension Credit, council tax help, winter payments and worked examples for pension-age households in one place.
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.
A practical UK guide to the main benefits and support routes for low income, disability, children, rent and pension-age households.
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.
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.
What usually changes when a partner moves in while you claim Universal Credit, including household assessment, joint savings and what to re-check next.
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. At £16,000+, UC stops. Pension Credit uses a more lenient £10,000 disregard. PIP and Child Benefit are unaffected by savings.
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.
UK support for low-income families 2026/27: Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Free School Meals, Healthy Start and childcare help explained.
PIP explained 2026/27, daily living and mobility components, points, weekly rates, eligibility criteria and what evidence strengthens a claim.
A plain-English guide to how PIP points work, what 8 and 12 points mean, and how the daily living and mobility components are scored.
When ESA, Universal Credit or both may apply, and why the two systems often overlap for people with health conditions.
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.
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.
Worked HICBC examples showing how much Child Benefit is repaid at different incomes and child counts, in plain English.
Pension Credit 2026/27: who qualifies, how much savings you can have, Guarantee Credit rates, and how a small award unlocks council tax, heating and NHS support.
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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
Even a £1-a-week Pension Credit award unlocks Council Tax Reduction, Winter Fuel Payment, a free TV licence over 75, NHS cost help and £25 Cold Weather Payments in 2026/27.
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.
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.
What counts as capital for UC in 2026/27? ISAs, savings and Premium Bonds do; your home doesn't. Under £6,000 is ignored; £16,000+ stops UC.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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 2026/27 benefit cap is £442.31/wk (£23,000/yr) in London and £376.38/wk (£19,572) elsewhere. See who's exempt and how it reduces your UC.
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. At £16,000 UC stops. What counts as savings for benefits explained.
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.
Child Benefit rates 2026/27: £27.05/week for the eldest child, £17.90 for each additional child. How HICBC affects higher earners, and why most families should still claim.
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.
The benefit cap in 2026/27: the four regional limits, which benefits count, who is exempt, and what happens to your UC if the cap is applied.
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.
PIP rates 2026/27: daily living £76.70 or £114.60/wk; mobility £30.30 or £80.00/wk. Weekly, monthly and yearly amounts plus the points you need.
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 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: Pension Credit, Council Tax Reduction, Winter Fuel Payment, Attendance Allowance, free prescriptions and bus passes. Age 60 to 65 and pension-age rules explained.
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.
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. At £16,000 or above, UC stops entirely. Full 2026/27 rules explained.
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.
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 standard £76.70/week, enhanced £114.60/week; mobility standard £30.30/week, enhanced £80.00/week. Combined maximum £194.60/week. Points thresholds, monthly amounts and what affects your award.
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 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.
UC for single parents 2026/27: work allowance £710/month (no housing) or £427/month (with housing), child element £303.94/month per child, 85% childcare costs covered up to £1,071.09/month. Worked example and full rates.
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.
UC tariff income adds £4.35 per month for every complete £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 disregards the first £10,000 in savings entirely. Above £10,000, £1/week is added to assumed income per £500 above the threshold. There is no upper capital limit. Pensioners with £25,000 in savings can still receive Pension Credit.
Universal Credit for self-employed 2026/27: the Minimum Income Floor equals NLW x contracted hours (35h = £444.85/week). Start-up period 12 months. Monthly reporting required. Gainful self-employment test, MIF calculation and what to report explained.
DWP can check bank accounts as part of fraud investigations under the Social Security Fraud Act 2001. Data sharing powers expanded in 2024. DWP can investigate up to 12 years back for fraud. Honest claimants have nothing to worry about.
Scotland has its own additional benefits on top of UK-wide DWP payments. Scottish Child Payment is £27.15 per week per child under 16. Winter Heating Payment is £58.75. Best Start Foods, Best Start Grants and UC Scottish Choices are all explained here.
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.
The Wales Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) provides Emergency Assistance Payments and Individual Assistance Payments. This guide explains what DAF covers, how much you can get, eligibility rules and how to apply in 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.
ISAs, including Cash ISAs and Stocks and Shares ISAs, count as capital for Universal Credit. Full guide to the £6,000 and £16,000 thresholds and what DWP counts.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Capital of £16,000 or more normally stops Universal Credit outright. Pension Credit has no upper limit, and PIP, Attendance Allowance and Child Benefit are unaffected.
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.
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.
Written and reviewed by James Whitfield and the editorial team.
Every figure is checked against current GOV.UK guidance and reviewed for the 2026/27 tax year. We explain the numbers in plain English with worked examples. Editorial standards · About us