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Family benefits and entitlements

Last modified on Wednesday 28 September 2016

There are lots of grants and benefits available to help support those who need it, including families on low incomes, people with disabilities, students and the elderly.

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These benefits include everything from Blue Badges for disabled drivers, help with school uniform costs, winter fuel allowances and grants to buy healthy food. But working out what you're entitled to can be a minefield. Check out the Money Advice Service guide to what's on offer and find out whether you qualify.

If you’re on a low income you might be entitled to extra benefits and entitlements. Find out more about what’s available.

Help to pay for essential things

Budgeting Loans
If you’re receiving certain income-related benefits and need help to pay for essentials like clothing, furniture or rent you might be able to get an interest-free Budgeting Loan.

Find out about Budgeting Loans and get an application form on the GOV.UK website.

If you’re getting Universal Credit, you need to apply for a Budgeting Advance.

Find out more about Budgeting Advances on the Citizens Advice website.

Funeral Payments
If you’re on a low income you could get help towards the costs of arranging a funeral.

Find out more about Funeral Payments on the GOV.UK website

Home and housing support

Support for Mortgage Interest
If you’re receiving certain income-related benefits and you’re struggling to keep up with the interest on your mortgage, you might be able to get extra money as part of your benefits.

This is called Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) and it can pay the interest (but not the capital repayments) on mortgages up to £200,000.

Payments are made directly to your lender 39 weeks after you first apply for this benefit so you should claim as soon as you can.

If you’re on income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, you can only get SMI for up to two years.

Under government proposals, from April 2018 if you make a claim for SMI, payments will be made as a loan. You will have to repay the loan either when you sell your house or voluntarily when you are able to (for example when you return to work).

Read more about Support for Mortgage Interest
Information for homeowners in Scotland with mortgage difficulties

Housing Benefit
If you’re renting from a private landlord and you’re receiving certain income-related benefits you could get money to help pay your rent.

Find out more about Housing Benefit on the GOV.UK website

Energy-Efficiency Grants
If you want to make some changes to your home to cut your power bills, go green and reduce the amount of energy you use. You could get help towards the costs.

Learn about energy saving grants and offers from the Energy Saving Trust

If you’re older

Winter Fuel Payments
You may be able to get extra money to help you with the fuel bills during the winter.

Find out more about winter fuel payments on the GOV.UK website

Free TV licences
If you’re over 75, registered blind or living in a nursing or residential care home you can get a free TV licence.

Find out more about free or discounted TV licences on the GOV.UK website

Free bus travel and concessions
If you are over 60 or disabled find out about travel concessions below.

Free bus travel for older people in England
Free bus travel for disabled people in England
Concessionary travel in Scotland
Concessionary travel in Wales
Free bus travel and concessions in Northern Ireland

Medical costs for war pensioners
If you need medical treatment because you were disabled while serving in the Armed Forces, you could get help towards your medical costs.

Find out more about medical costs for war veterans

War Disablement Pension
If you were injured or disabled while serving in the Armed Forces before 6 April 2005 you can get extra help towards your pension.

Find out more about War Disablement Pension on the GOV.UK website

If you’re expecting or bringing up children

Education Maintenance Allowance
If you’re in Northern Ireland, Wales or Scotland and you’re aged 16–18 you could get weekly help with the cost of education.

Find out more about Education Maintenance Allowance on the GOV.UK website

16-19 Bursary
If you’re in England you may be able to get the 16-19 Bursary Fund to help with the costs of studying.

Find out more about the 16-19 Bursary Fund on the GOV.UK website

Sure Start Maternity Grant
If you’re receiving certain income-related benefits you could get a one-off payment to help you with maternity and baby items.

Find out more about Sure Start Maternity Grant on the GOV.UK website

Free school meals
Find out more about free school meals:

Help with the cost of uniforms
Find out about help with school clothing costs

If you’re ill, injured or disabled

Health costs
You may qualify for help towards some NHS charges if you’re on Income Support.

Find out more about health costs on the NHS website

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme
You may qualify for help towards the cost of transport if you’re on Income Support and need to travel to get medical treatment.

Find out more about Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme on the NHS website

Disabled Facilities Grant
If you’re disabled you may be able to get money towards the cost of adapting your home for your needs.

Find out more about Disabled Facilities Grants on the GOV.UK website

Disabled Students’ Allowance
If you’re disabled, have an ongoing health or mental health condition or from a learning disability you could get extra financial help.

Find out more about Disabled Students’ Allowance on the GOV.UK website

Blue Badge Parking Scheme
If you’re disabled you could apply for a badge allowing you to park closer to where you need to be.

Find out more about Blue Badge Parking Scheme on the GOV.UK website

Reduced Earnings Allowance
If your earning potential is reduced because you’re disabled you may be entitled to extra support.

Find out more about Reduced Earnings Allowance on the GOV.UK website

Vaccine Damage Payment
If you’ve been severely disabled as a result of a vaccination against certain diseases, you could get a one-off tax-free payment of £120,000.

Find out more about Vaccine Damage Payment on the GOV.UK website

Other financial help

Cold Weather Payments
Get extra money towards your heating bills during the cold weather if you’re getting income-related benefits.

Find out more about Cold Weather Payments on the GOV.UK website

Support to help you get through a crisis or live independently
If you’re facing an emergency, there may be local help available. This is known as local welfare assistance.

Use a benefit calculator

Use a benefits calculator on the GOV.UK website to estimate all your entitlements
If you live in Northern Ireland – find out more about what benefits and financial support you might be entitled to on the nidirect website.

Where to get free help and advice

Read our guide Where to get free help and advice about benefits.
This article is provided by the Money Advice Service.

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