Jakub
Last year, I was having a hard time at work and I missed some bill payments. I didn’t know what to do until a neighbour connected me with a local organisation. They helped to get things in order and gave me advice to better manage my money.
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Scroll down the page to view the next sections: 'Government financial support ' and 'General advice & support '.
Key information
1. Some people can get financial support from the government
The government provides help to people who receive a low income, are looking for work or are unable to work. This includes:
- ‘Benefits’ - help with daily living costs
- Help with additional health costs - read more in ‘Cost of healthcare’
- Help with childcare costs - read more in ‘Childcare and financial support’
- Help with travel costs - read more in ‘Paying for your travel’
2. To claim financial support, you need to have lived and worked in the UK for some time
You will need to have ‘settled status’ or the ‘right to reside’. The rules are complex but in general, this means:
- You have lived and worked in the UK for some time, and paid taxes and other contributions
- You intend to continue living in the UK
3. Get help to check your eligibility and apply for financial support
The system is really complex and lengthy - it’s difficult to understand and navigate it alone. Get free and confidential help from a local support organisation listed in the next sections. They will help you to apply for the maximum support you are entitled to.
4. You must meet some conditions to continue receiving ‘benefits’ payments
Once you start receiving financial support from the government, you have to meet certain conditions to continue receiving payments. For example, you may need to attend training courses or work interviews at Jobcentre Plus.
5. You can ask for an interpreter for your Jobcentre Plus appointments
Jobcentre Plus is a centre that helps people to get into work and oversees most types of ‘benefits’. If you are not confident in English, you can ask for an interpreter (usually provided by phone) for your appointments but you must do this in advance.
6. Apply for an advance payment if your application is delayed
Applications for ‘benefits’ take an average of 5 weeks to process and pay into your account. If you need help with your living costs during this time, get help to apply for an advance payment from a local support organisation:
Government financial support
Some people receive ‘Benefits’ from the UK government to help with their daily living costs
The system is complex and difficult to navigate alone - get help to check your eligibility and make an application
- Payments are made into your account every few weeks
- ‘Benefits’ do not need to be repaid**
Who can apply?
The government provides support to people who receive a low income, are looking for work or are unable to work due to illness or disability. You usually need to show you have the ‘right to reside’. This means you have worked and paid taxes in the UK for at least a few months and intend to continue living here. Whether you meet this requirement will depend on your immigration status (read more in our dedicated section ‘My rights’):
How much can I receive?
The amount that most people receive is modest, and depends on their individual situation. For example, whether they have children or live with a partner.
- Use an online calculator here to find out if you are eligible and how much you may receive. You will need help to do this if you are not confident in English.
How can I apply?
The ‘benefits’ system is complex, so here we provide an overview of the process.
How to apply for 'benefits'
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Step 1 - Connect with a trained advisor in a local support organisation
The ‘benefits’ system is complex so reach out for free and confidential help to understand if you can receive funds, and to apply for the maximum support you are entitled to. Get in touch with a local support organisation:
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Step 2A - Make an online application
You will need a National Insurance Number and a bank account:
- Read more in ‘Organising documents & registrations’ and ‘Opening a bank account’.
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Step 2B - Make an online application
- New applicants will apply for ‘Universal Credit’ - a single payment that covers different areas of support (e.g. help to pay rent or childcare)
- Older applicants - can continue to claim individual ‘benefits’, or move to Universal Credit
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Step 3 - Attend an interview at your local Jobcentre Plus
You will need to answer basic questions and show documents such as:
- Proof of identity e.g. a valid passport
- Proof of address e.g. a household bill (read more in our dedicated section, ‘Organising documents & registrations’)
- Other documents e.g. a payslip, a tenancy agreement, medical reports
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Step 4 - Have your application processed and receive your first payment
A successful application and payment takes at least five weeks to process and pay into your bank account. If you need help with your living costs during this time, ask the local organisation who is supporting you for help to apply for an ‘advance payment’.
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Step 5 - Meet the conditions for ‘benefits’ payments to continue
Take time to understand the conditions you must meet for payments to continue. For example, you may need to attend training courses at Jobcentre Plus.
If your circumstances change, you must inform the department in charge of the ‘benefit’ - for example, a change of address
How can I get advice or help to apply?
The ‘benefits’ system is complex, so it’s difficult to understand and navigate alone. Get free and confidential help from a local organisation (listed below) to:
- Understand if you can receive financial support
- Get help to apply for the maximum support that you are entitled to
General advice & support
Local organisations provide free and confidential support to help you apply for government financial support, and better manage your money.
Further information and advice is available:
- Online - on websites like Turn2Us and Money Saving Expert
- By phone - from national organisations like Money Advice Service (0800 138 1677)