Benefits information
Benefits information
This page provides essential information to help you identify the benefits you may be entitled to based on your circumstances. It also offers tools to calculate your benefits, guidance on resolving benefit issues, and advice on avoiding potential benefit problems.
For those struggling with finances, please visit our page on Support in Newcastle for those affected by the cost of living crisis.
What benefits can I receive?
Below are some common situations and the benefits you may be eligible for:
In Urgent Financial Need or Crisis
- Budgeting loans, funeral and maternity grants from the Social Fund by the DWP
- Repayable 'short term benefit advances' for those waiting for a benefit payment and in financial need.
- See help with urgent and one-off needs by the Council and others on our Debt and Money Advice page.
- Found out about grants you could get from turn2us
Bereaved
You may be entitled to...
Caring for someone
You may be entitled to:
- Carer's Allowance
- Extra amount in means tested benefits like Universal Credit
See also the useful Carersuk website
Responsible for a child
You may be entitled to:
- Child Benefit
- Guardian's Allowance
- Healthy Start Scheme and Welfare Food
- Free school meals
- Extra amount(s) in means tested benefits like Universal Credit
Disabled
You may be entitled to:
- Attendance Allowance
- Cold Weather Payment
- Disability Living Allowance
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Personal Independence Payment
- War Disablement Pension
- Extra amounts in means tested benefits like Universal Credit
Incapable of work
You may be entitled to:
- Universal Credit
- New-Style Employment and Support Allowance
- Statutory Sick Pay
- Extra amount(s) in means tested benefits like Universal Credit
Managing on a low income
You may be entitled to...
Also see our Debt and money advice page for help and advice
Need help with paying housing costs (rent or mortgage) or Council Tax
You may be entitled to...
Need help with NHS costs
- Online eligibility checking tool to see if you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions, NHS dental treatment and other NHS health costs such as sight tests
- NHS Low Income Scheme for help with the cost of NHS prescriptions, NHS dental treatment and more
- Maternity exemption certificate for free NHS prescriptions (this is valid until your child is one, and can also be used to prove your entitlement to free NHS dental treatment)
An older person - of pension age
You may be entitled to...
See also benefits for older people from AgeUK
Pregnant
You may be entitled to...
- Healthy Start food vouchers and vitamins
- Maternity Allowance
- Shared Parental Pay
- Sure Start Maternity Grant
- Statutory Maternity Pay
See also know your rights from Maternity Action
Unemployed and looking for work
You may be entitled to...
Online benefit calculators
Visit our page check your benefits online to get an estimate of the benefits you may be able to claim. Some provide a comparison between benefits
Dealing with and avoiding benefit problems
- If you have a benefit overpayment, see guides from the Government and turn2us
- What happens to benefits if I or a family member goes into prison?
- See our leaflet benefit sanctions and how to avoid them (pdf, 399kb), by us and Jobcentre Plus
Your Universal Credit, Jobseekers Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance or Income Support may be cut if you do not comply with work related requirements - See Advice Now guides to help deal with various benefit problems
- See How do I challenge a benefits decision? by Citizens Advice
Where can I go for further information and advice?
Visit Benefit advice services in Newcastle and benefit offices
Visit the government webpage on benefits
Visit the Citizens Advice webpages on benefits
Did you know?
For those struggling with money and bills, go to: Support in Newcastle for those affected by the cost of living crisis
Professionals can also get support on benefits. For example, regular information, consultancy line and so on. See our webpage: Financial inclusion information for professionals and volunteers
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