Claiming benefits

Benefits give practical help and financial support if you're unemployed and looking for work.

You may also get extra income when your earnings are low, if you're bringing up children, are retired, care for someone, are ill or have a disability.

There are various benefits you may be entitled to.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs.

You may be able to get it if you’re:

• on a low income
• out of work
• unable to work

Council Tax Support

Council Tax Support is financial help towards paying Council Tax bill.

Pension Credit

Pension Credit gives you extra money if you're over State Pension age and don’t have much income.

Attendance Allowance

You can get Attendance Allowance if you:

• have reached State Pension age
• have a disability and need someone to look after you

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

PIP can help with extra living costs if you have both:

• a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
• difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP)

A DHP is money from the council to help towards housing costs.

Carer's Allowance

This provides £86.45 per week to people who care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and who receives a qualifying disability benefit. The person you care for must receive a qualifying disability benefit, and your earnings must usually be £204 or less per week after deductions.

Receiving Carer's Allowance can affect other benefits for you or the person you care for, so it's important to check how a claim may impact your circumstances.

Find out more and apply: Carer's Allowance: How it works - GOV.UK

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children

DLA for children is a tax‑free, non‑means‑tested benefit for under‑16s who need more care, attention or supervision than a child of the same age without a disability, or who have difficulty walking or getting around.

You may be able to claim if your child:

• is under 16
• needs more care, attention or supervision than a child of the same age without a disability, or has difficulty walking/getting around
• has had this need for at least 3 months before you apply and expect it to continue for at least 6 months after

DLA has two components (parts):

• Care component (for help with personal care)
• Mobility component (for difficulty walking/getting around)

The child might qualify for one or both components.

How much you can get (2026/27 rates)

Child Benefit

You could get Child Benefit if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is:

• under 16
• under 20 if they stay in approved education or training

Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child.

There’s no limit to how many children you can claim for.

What you'll get

There are two Child Benefit rates.

View the full details: Child Benefit: How it works - GOV.UK

Social tariffs for broadband

A social broadband tariff is a discounted internet package for UK households receiving means‑tested benefits, typically costing £12–£24 per month and offered by major providers such as BT, Sky, Virgin Media, Vodafone, Hyperoptic and Community Fibre.

What a social broadband tariff is

Social tariffs are low‑cost broadband (and sometimes phone) packages designed to make internet access affordable for people on qualifying benefits. They use the same networks and speeds as standard plans but at significantly reduced prices.

Typical features

Typical features include:

• prices from £10–£24/month (most commonly £12.50–£20)
• superfast speeds usually above 30 Mbps
• no mid‑contract price rises
• no exit fees if you leave early
• low or zero setup costs

Eligibility

Eligibility varies by provider, but most accept households receiving:

• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance (income‑based)
• Employment & Support Allowance

Some providers also accept:

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Attendance Allowance

HelpU tariff – cheaper tariffs with Welsh Water

The HelpU tariff helps low-income households by putting a cap on the amount you have to pay for your water.

The tariff caps annual water and sewerage charges at £350.16 for 2026-2027 for eligible low‑income households receiving at least one means‑tested benefit.

What the tariff provides

The annual HelpU charge from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 is £350.16 (£134.72 for water, £215.44 for sewerage).

To find out if you're eligible, visit: HelpU tariff | Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water

Bill cap - WaterSure Wales tariff

If you already have a meter, or have requested one, the Bill Cap - WaterSure Wales tariff puts a cap on the amount you have to pay for your water.

How it works

Bill Cap - WaterSure Wales tariff caps your annual metered bill amount so you won’t pay over a certain amount for the year, no matter what your actual consumption is.

The annual Bill Cap - WaterSure Wales charge from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2027 is £583.77 (£229.28 for water, £354.49 for sewerage).

Eligibility

Find out if you're eligible and apply online: Bill Cap - WaterSure Wales tariff | Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water