Up to £19 billion in benefits goes unclaimed in the UK every year. Nineteen billion. That’s millions of people missing out on money they’re perfectly entitled to, either because they don’t know it exists, think they won’t qualify, or find the application process too confusing. This guide covers the main benefits available in 2025 and how to check if you’re missing out.
Universal Credit
UC has replaced six old benefits: Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, and Working Tax Credit. It’s a single monthly payment for working-age people on a low income.
Standard allowance for 2025/26:
- Single, under 25: £316.98/month
- Single, 25 or over: £400.14/month
- Joint, both under 25: £497.55/month
- Joint, one or both 25+: £628.15/month
On top of this, you might get extra for children, housing costs, disability, and caring responsibilities. UC reduces gradually as you earn — 55p is taken off for every £1 you earn above the work allowance (if eligible) or from the first pound (if not). So working always pays more than not working.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
PIP is for people aged 16 to State Pension age who have difficulty with daily living or mobility because of a long-term health condition or disability. Here’s the important bit: it’s not means-tested. You can claim regardless of income, savings, or whether you’re working.
Two components:
- Daily Living: Standard £72.65/week, Enhanced £108.55/week
- Mobility: Standard £28.70/week, Enhanced £75.75/week
A successful PIP claim also unlocks other support: higher UC disability element, exemption from the benefit cap, Blue Badge eligibility, and Motability scheme access. It’s one of the most under-claimed benefits in the UK.
Child Benefit
£26.05/week for your eldest child and £17.25/week for each additional one. Available to anyone responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 if in approved education).
If you or your partner earns over £60,000, the High Income Child Benefit Charge claws some or all of it back. The charge is 1% of the benefit for every £200 of income between £60,000 and £80,000 — fully repaid at £80,000. One thing most guides don’t mention: even if you opt out of receiving the payment, you should still register the claim to protect your NI record for State Pension purposes.
Housing Support
For most working-age people, housing help comes through the housing element of UC, based on Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates — set at the 30th percentile of local rents for your area and property size. LHA rates were uprated in April 2024 but frozen again for 2025/26, which means they’re already falling behind actual rents in many areas.
Pensioners not yet on UC may still get Housing Benefit from their council. Council Tax Reduction is a separate local scheme — apply through your council directly.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £218.15 (single) or £332.95 (couple) if you’re over State Pension age. It’s one of the most under-claimed benefits in the UK — around 850,000 eligible pensioners don’t claim it. Getting Pension Credit also passports you to free NHS dental treatment, help with heating costs, and Council Tax Reduction. If you know a pensioner who might qualify, please tell them about it.
Carer’s Allowance
Care for someone 35+ hours a week and they receive certain disability benefits? You might qualify for Carer’s Allowance at £81.90/week. But watch the earnings limit: it’s £151/week after deductions. Earn even £1 over that and you lose the entire payment. It’s one of the most frustrating cliff edges in the benefits system.
Check What You’re Entitled To
Our free benefits checker asks about your circumstances and tells you what you might be eligible for, with estimated amounts. Plenty of people are surprised by what they qualify for — it takes a few minutes and could be worth thousands a year.