Benefits Overview
| Benefit Name | Purpose | Eligibility | Administered By |
| Universal Credit (UC) | Monthly payment for living costs. | Low income, unemployed, or unable to work, aged 18+ (or exceptions) & Ineligible/Ending Statutory Sick Pay.
|
Department for
Work and Pensions (DWP) |
| Personal
Independence Payment (PIP) |
Helps with extra costs due to a disability or health condition. Supports daily living and mobility | Aged 16-64; long-term health condition or disability.
UK resident for 2 of the last 3 years. Condition impacting daily living >3 months. Condition expected to last >9 months. |
DWP |
| Employment and
Support Allowance (ESA) |
Provides income if unable to work due to illness/disability. | Illness or disability affecting ability to work; Work Capability
Assessment required (Requires ESA113 form completion – 13-week processing time) Eligibility: Under pension age, not receiving SSP, statutory maternity pay, or job seekers allowance |
DWP |
| Jobseeker’s
Allowance (JSA) |
Supports people actively seeking work. | Unemployed and available for work; aged 18 or over. | DWP |
| Child Benefit | Financial support for raising children. | Responsible for a child under 16 (or 20 if in education/training). | HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) |
| Housing Benefit | Helps with rent payments (being replaced by UC). | Low income or on benefits; specific housing criteria. | Local Councils |
| Carer’s
Allowance |
Financial support for unpaid carers | Caring for someone on qualifying disability benefits; earning less than £139/week. | DWP |
| providing 35+ hours of care per week. | |||
| State Pension | Regular income for people at State Pension age. | Reached State Pension age, with sufficient National Insurance contributions.
Claimable from retirement age – State pension age depends on DOB: Born before 05/04/1970: Age 65 Born 06/04/1970 – 05/04/1978: Age 67 Born after 06/04/1978: Age 68 |
DWP |
| Attendance
Allowance (AA) |
Helps cover costs for older individuals needing personal care due to a disability. | Aged 66+ with a disability (physical/mental/both) requiring supervision or assistance. | DWP |
| Maternity Allowance | Financial support for mothers not eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay. | Pregnant or recently given birth;
meet income and work requirements. |
DWP |
| Council Tax Reduction | Reduces council tax payments for lowincome individuals or families. | On low income or claiming other benefits. | Local Councils |
| Discretionary
Housing Payment (DHP) |
Extra financial support for housing costs. | Must already receive Housing
Benefit or housing element of UC. |
Local Councils |
| Pension Credit | Income support for people of pension age. | Low income and savings below £10,000 (higher for couples). | DWP |
| Bereavement
Support Payment |
Provides financial support after the death of a spouse or civil partner. | Under State Pension age; spouse/civil partner paid National Insurance contributions. | DWP |
| Statutory
Maternity Pay (SMP) – chapter 19 |
Paid leave for employed mothers. | Must meet earnings and employment conditions. | Employers |
| Disability Living
Allowance (DLA) |
Helps with costs for disabled children under 16. | Aged under 16; long-term disability affecting mobility or care needs. | DWP
|
OTHERS:
- a) SR1 Form (replaces DS1500)
- Purpose: Fast-track benefits for terminally ill patients
- Criteria: Expected death within 6 months
- Duration: Can claim up to 3 years (review needed)
- Completion: Primarily by healthcare professionals
- b) Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
- Self-certification is possible for the 1st 7 days
- Criteria: Unable to work >4 consecutive days
- Duration: Maximum 28 weeks
- Eligible if off work for 4+ consecutive days
- SSP 1: Self-certification form for those ineligible for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). People can apply for Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance (ESA) using SSP 1.
- SSP 2: Standard self-certification form for SSP-eligible patients
FITNESS TO WORK CERTIFICATION
- Required if illness exceeds 7 days
- Can only be issued on the day or retrospectively, not prospectively
- Options: “Not fit for work” or “Maybe fit for work”
- Can suggest workplace adjustments (not legally binding for employers)
- Telephone consultations acceptable for issuing fit notes
- First 6 months: Maximum duration 3 months
- After 6 months: Can be issued for an indefinite period
- Only doctors can complete fit notes