Universal Credit brings together the main benefits for working-age people if you're out of work or on a low income. You can also claim New Style Job Seeker’s Allowance if you’ve made enough National Insurance payments.

If you’re of State Pension age and on a low income, you may be able to claim Pension Credit.

On this page:

New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

You can apply for JSA if you have paid enough National Insurance contributions. It can be claimed on its own or along with Universal Credit.

You can claim it if you’re unemployed, or if you are working fewer than 16 hours per week on average. You need to be looking for work.

After you apply for JSA, you will be asked to go to an interview at your local Jobcentre and agree steps to look for work. This is called a ‘claimant commitment.’ If you do not keep the agreement, you could lose your JSA.

How do I claim New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance?

  • If you live in England, Scotland or Wales and are 18 or over, visit the government's New Style JSA webpage to apply online. If you are aged 16 or 17 or need help, contact your local Jobcentre.
  • If you live in Northern Ireland, apply online at NI Direct, or call the Benefits freephone number on 0800 022 4250. 

Housing payments

Housing payments are part of Universal Credit. They help you pay your rent if you are on a low income.  

There’s no set amount for the housing payment. How much you get depends on how many bedrooms your home has and who you rent from, as well as your income and other circumstances. The government website has more information on Universal Credit and housing.

You can still claim Housing Benefit, a legacy benefit, separately in certain circumstances. This includes if you are over State Pension age or living in supported, sheltered or temporary housing.

Size restrictions

Housing payments and Housing Benefit can be reduced if you have spare bedrooms in your home. This rule has different names in local areas including ‘under-occupancy rules’ or a ‘spare room subsidy’.

Adult couples are expected to share a bedroom. If you have two children of the same sex under the age of 16 or two children under the age of 10, regardless of their sex, they will be expected to share a bedroom.

There are some exceptions to these rules. These include if you have a disability and regularly need a carer to stay overnight, or if your child has a disability that means they cannot share a bedroom.

For council or social housing tenants, if you have one spare bedroom, the payment is cut by 14%. It is cut by 25% if you have two or more spare bedrooms.

Local councils set the rates for privately rented accommodation in a similar way. These rules only apply if you are of working age. If either you or your partner are the right age to receive Pension Credit, your Housing Benefit will not be affected.

How do I claim Housing payments or Housing Benefit?

  • Housing payments are part of your Universal Credit application. If you already get Universal Credit, you can apply for housing payments in your online account.
  • Housing Benefit is still available to certain people. It’s claimed through your local council. If you live in England, Scotland or Wales and are receiving Pension Credit, call the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234, or 18001 then 0800 99 1234 if you cannot hear or speak on the phone.
  • If you live in Northern Ireland, you can apply for Housing Benefit via the Housing Executive online or by phone on 03448 920 902.

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

You may be able to receive SMI to help towards paying the interest on a mortgage or a home improvement loan. It’s paid as a loan. You have to repay the loan with interest if you sell your house. SMI only covers the interest on your mortgage or loan. It cannot help you pay off the amount you borrowed or any arrears.

You can apply for SMI if you receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit or certain income-related legacy benefits. Check if you're eligible.

SMI is normally paid direct to your lender. If you’re getting Pension Credit, the payments can start right away. If you get Universal Credit, payments can start after three months of receiving Universal Credit.

How do I claim SMI?

  • If you live in England, Scotland or Wales and are on Universal Credit, contact the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644. (or 18001 then 0800 328 5644 if you cannot hear or speak on the phone).
    • If you get Pension Credit, call the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234 (or 18001 then 0800 99 1234 if you cannot hear or speak on the phone).
    • If you are on other qualifying benefits, contact your local JobcentrePlus.
  • If you live in Northern Ireland and are on Universal Credit, contact the Universal Credit helpline.

Pension Credit

If you’re of State Pension age and on a low income, you may be able to get Pension Credit. It is separate to your State Pension and helps with living costs. You can use the Pension Credit calculator to check if you may be eligible.

Pension Credit comes in two parts, Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit.

Guarantee Credit
Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income to £238 if you’re single. If you have a partner, it tops up your joint weekly income to £363.25.

Savings Credit
Savings Credit is an extra payment for people with some savings or a workplace pension. You can get £17.96 a week if you are single, or £20.10 if you have a partner. It is only available if you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016.

Pension Credit does not affect other benefits you receive. If you have a disability or care for someone who has a disability, you may receive a higher amount. If you get Pension Credit, you can also apply for a free TV licence if you’re over 75.

How do I claim Pension Credit?

  • If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, visit the government's Pension Credit webpage or call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234, or 18001 then 0800 99 1234 if you have difficulty speaking or hearing on the phone.
  • If you live in Northern Ireland, visit NI Direct's webpage on Pension Credit or call the Application Line on 0808 100 6165.

State Pension

The new State Pension is a regular payment for people who reached State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016. You can get the new State Pension if you are eligible and:

  • A man born on or after 6 April 1951.
  • A woman born on or after 6 April 1953.

If you reached State Pension age before 6 April 2016, you’ll get the basic State Pension under the old rules.

Check your State Pension age. 
For free, independent guidance and information on pensions, visit Money Helper or call 0800 011 3797.

Council Tax Reduction and Council Tax Discounts

If your income is low or you are claiming benefits, you may be able to get a Council Tax Reduction (sometimes called Council Tax Support). You can own or rent your home. How much of a reduction you get will depend on where you live and who lives with you, as well as your income and other circumstances.

If you are the only adult living in your home, you could get a Council Tax Discount. This is not dependent on your income. Some people, such as full-time students, are not counted when working out how many people live in a property.

If you have severe cognitive impairment, you may be able to claim a discount or complete exemption from your council tax. The government website has more information on this.

How do I apply for a Council Tax Reduction or Council Tax Discount?

  • Contact your local council.
  • In Northern Ireland, homeowners can apply for Rate Relief, and people on Universal Credit can apply for Rate Rebate, via the NI Direct website.

There is a cap (limit) on the total amount of benefits that people can receive. The maximum amount is:

  • £423.46 per week for couples, with or without children living with them, and for single parents whose children live with them.
  • £283.71 per week for single adults without children, or whose children do not live with them.

If you live in Greater London, the maximum amounts are:

  • £486.98 per week for couples, with or without children living with them, and for single parents whose children live with them.
  • £326.29 per week for single adults without children, or whose children do not live with them.

Not everyone claiming benefits is affected by the cap. For example, people with a disability or illness that stops them working, and their carers, may not be affected. People over State Pension age and those who get Armed Forces payments, including War Pensions or War Widow/Widower’s Pensions, will not be affected.

You can work out whether your benefits will be reduced because of the cap.

If your claim is rejected, or you think you’re getting the wrong amount, you can appeal against the decision.

Information about how to appeal, and who you need to contact, will normally be explained in the letter you receive about your benefit claim. There may be a time limit for appeals, so you need to respond quickly.

If you’re still not happy with the decision after it has been reviewed, you can appeal to a tribunal. A tribunal is an independent panel of people who can change the decision if they think it’s wrong.

Visit the government website for information on the appeals process and to apply online. Appealing against a benefits decision can be a complex process so it is a good idea to get expert advice. See our list of ‘Other sources of help and information’ for organisations that can help.

Return to the main Benefits page
Written and edited by
Jenny Simpson , Jonathan Jones , Gemma Harris