TRACE e-Gov Portal

Title	Description
Benefits calculators	Use an independent benefits calculator to find out: - what benefits you could get - how to claim - how your benefits will be affected if you start work
Benefit cap	The benefit cap is a limit on the total amount of benefit that most people aged 16 to 64 can get. The amount your household gets from some benefits might go down to make sure you do not get more than the cap limit.
Benefit cap calculator	There’s a limit on the total amount of benefits that most people aged 16 to 64 can get. This is called the benefit cap. This calculator gives an estimate of how much your benefit might be capped.
Get help with NHS prescriptions and health costs	You might be able to get free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and help with other NHS costs. Use this service to check what help you could get and how to apply.
How and when your benefits are paid	You’ll be asked for bank, building society or credit union account details when you claim. You can only get paid in a different way if you have problems opening or managing an account.
Get an advance on your first benefit payment	You may be able to get an advance on your first benefit payment if you’re in urgent financial need. This is called a ‘short term benefit advance’.
Payment Exception Service	The Payment Exception Service is a way for people who do not have a bank account to collect benefit or pension payments. They’re only available in very limited circumstances.
Home visit to check your benefit payment	benefit payment You may get a visit from a Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) officer to check that your benefit payment is correct. The reason for the visit is to collect national statistics on the benefits system.
Benefits: report a change in your circumstances	You need to report changes to your circumstances so you keep getting the right amount of benefits.Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you don’t report a change straight away or you give incorrect information.
Claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad	You may still be able to claim some benefits if you travel or move abroad, or if you’re already living abroad. What you’re entitled to depends on where you’re going and how long for.
Benefits and prison	Benefit payments and entitlement may change or stop if you, your partner or your child is: - sent to prison or a young offenders’ institution - in custody awaiting trial (on remand) You must tell the Tax Credit Office about prison sentences.
Benefit overpayments	Tell the office dealing with your benefit if: - you think you’re being overpaid - your circumstances change You may have to pay back the benefit.
Benefit fraud	You commit benefit fraud by claiming benefits you’re not entitled to on purpose. For example by: - not reporting a change in your circumstances - providing false information
Fraud and Error Prevention Service centres	You may be contacted by a Fraud and Error Prevention Service (FEPS) centre to review your benefits claim - this is called a claim review.
Challenge a benefit decision (mandatory reconsideration)	If you disagree with a decision about benefits, tax credits or child maintenance you can ask for the decision to be looked at again - this is called ‘mandatory reconsideration’.
Appeal a benefit decision	You can appeal a decision about your entitlement to benefits, for example Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit.
Complain to the Independent Case Examiner	Complain to the Independent Case Examiner about the service you’ve had from any agency of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if your complaint has not been resolved by them.
What Universal Credit is	Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income or out of work. Whether you can claim Universal Credit depends on where you live and your circumstances.
Housing costs and Universal Credit	You can get help paying for your housing if you’re eligible for Universal Credit. This is called your housing payment.
Health conditions, disability and Universal Credit	You might get an extra amount of Universal Credit if you have a health condition or disability that prevents you from working or preparing for work. Your monthly payment is based on your circumstances, for example your health condition or disability, income and housing costs.
Self-employment and Universal Credit	Everyone claiming Universal Credit needs to report their self-employed earnings at the end of each monthly assessment period. This includes company directors, even those paying themselves by PAYE. You’ll need to report payments into and out of your business in the assessment period.
Apply for Universal Credit	You can apply for Universal Credit online. Before you apply, check if you’re eligible and what you can get if you live
Benefits calculators	Use an independent benefits calculator to find out: - what benefits you could get - how to claim - how your benefits will be affected if you start work
Sign in to your Universal Credit account	Sign in to your Universal Credit account to: -apply for an advance on your first payment - see your statement - report a change in circumstances - add a note to your journal - see your to-do list - see when your next payment will be - see your Claimant Commitment
Benefit cap	The benefit cap is a limit on the total amount of benefit that most people aged 16 to 64 can get. The amount your household gets from some benefits might go down to make sure you do not get more than the cap limit.
Budgeting Loans	A Budgeting Loan can help pay for: - furniture or household items (for example, washing machines or other ‘white goods’) - clothes or footwear - rent in advance
Carer's Credit	You could get Carer’s Credit if you’re caring for someone for at least 20 hours a week.
Christmas Bonus	The Christmas Bonus is a one-off tax-free £10 payment made before Christmas, paid to people who get certain benefits in the qualifying week. This is normally the first full week of December.
Constant Attendance Allowance	You can claim Constant Attendance Allowance if you get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or a War Disablement Pension and you need daily care and attention because of a disability. There are 4 different weekly rates of Constant Attendance Allowance. How much you get depends on the extent of your disability and the amount of care you need.
Diffuse mesothelioma payments	You may be able to get a payment if you’ve been diagnosed with the asbestos-related disease, diffuse mesothelioma.
Disability premiums	Disability premium is an extra amount automatically added to your Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) if you qualify for it.
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)	If you’re ill or disabled, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) offers you: -financial support if you’re unable to work - personalised help so that you can work if you’re able to
Get a prescription prepayment certificate	prepayment certificate You can buy prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) from the NHS which may make your prescriptions cheaper.
Help with moving from benefits to work	Get support from Jobcentre Plus to help you prepare for, find and stay in work, including: - training, guidance and work placement programmes - work experience, volunteering and job trialling schemes help with starting your own business - help combining work with looking after children or caring responsibilities - extra help for specific problems
Housing Benefit	You could get Housing Benefit to help you pay your rent if you’re on a low income. Housing Benefit can pay for part or all of your rent. How much you get depends on your income and circumstances. You can apply for Housing Benefit whether you’re unemployed or working.
Income Support	You may be able to get Income Support if you meet all the eligibility criteria.
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit	You might get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) if you became ill or are disabled because of an accident or disease either: - at work - on an approved employment training scheme or course
Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)	You can apply for Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) to help you when you look for work.
Mortgage Interest Run On	Mortgage Interest Run On is extra money you can get towards your housing costs if certain other benefits are stopping because you’re: - returning to work full-time - working more hours earning more money
Pension Credit	Pension Credit is an income-related benefit made up of 2 parts - Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. Guarantee Credit tops up your weekly income if it’s below £163 (for single people) or £248.80 (for couples). Savings Credit is an extra payment for people who saved some money towards their retirement, for example a pension.
Pension Credit calculator	Find out if you’re eligible for Pension Credit and how much you could get.
Reduced Earnings Allowance	If you can’t earn as much as you used to because of an accident or disease caused by your work, you could get up to £69.92 per week Reduced Earnings Allowance.
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)	If you’re a homeowner, you might be able to get help towards interest payments on: - your mortgage - loans you’ve taken out for certain repairs and improvements to your home
Attendance Allowance	Attendance Allowance helps with extra costs if you have a disability severe enough that you need someone to help look after you. It’s paid at 2 different rates and how much you get depends on the level of care that you need because of your disability.
Become an appointee for someone claiming benefits	You can apply for the right to deal with the benefits of someone who can’t manage their own affairs because they’re mentally incapable or severely disabled.
Blind Person's Allowance	Blind Person’s Allowance is an extra amount of tax-free allowance. It means you can earn more before you start paying Income Tax.
Carer's Allowance	You could get £64.60 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You don’t have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
Carer's Allowance: report changes	You must report changes in circumstances if you’re claiming or have applied for Carer’s Allowance
Contact the Carer's Allowance Unit	Get information on Carer’s Allowance and how to make a claim.
Contact the Disability Service Centre	Get advice or information about a claim you’ve already made for Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults	ou can still apply for DLA if you’re under 16. If you already get DLA, your claim might end. You’ll get a letter telling you when this will happen and how you can apply for PIP.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children	Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who: - is under 16 - has difficulties walking or needs much more looking after than a child of the same age who doesn’t have a disability
Disabled Facilities Grants	You could get a grant from your council if you’re disabled and need to make changes to your home
Financial help if you're disabled	There is a wide range of disability-related financial support, including benefits, tax credits, payments, grants and concessions.
Find out about changes to care and support	Find out how care and support is changing from your local council and how this may affect you.
Get compensation for health problems caused by mining	You may be able to claim compensation if you have pneumoconiosis caused by coal mining.
Get help at work if you’re disabled or have a health condition (Access to Work)	If you’re disabled or have a physical or mental health condition that makes it hard for you to do your job, you can: - talk to your employer about changes they must make in your workplace - apply for Access to Work if you need extra help
Help if you have a disabled child	Your local council can provide help if you have a disabled child
Help if you're a student with a learning difficulty, health problem or disability	You can apply for Disabled Students’ Allowances (DSAs) to cover some of the extra costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability.
Incapacity Benefit	Incapacity Benefit is being replaced with Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). You’ll be reassessed if you’re already claiming Incapacity Benefit, to decide if you’re capable of work or eligible for ESA.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)	You may be able to get help with some of the extra costs caused by long term ill-health or disability.
Send your fit note for your ESA claim	You’ll be told during your assessment for Employment Support Allowance (ESA) when you need to send fit notes (sometimes called ‘sick notes’ or ‘doctor’s notes’).
Severe Disablement Allowance	Severe Disablement Allowance has been replaced with Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - Jobcentre Plus will re-assess your Severe Disablement Allowance claim to see if you’re capable of work or eligible for ESA.
Specialist Employability Support	Specialist Employability Support is intensive support and training to help you into work if you’re disabled. You can apply if other employment programmes and schemes, such as Access to Work, are not suitable for you.
Vaccine Damage Payment	If you’re severely disabled as a result of a vaccination against certain diseases, you could get a one-off tax-free payment of £120,000. This is called a Vaccine Damage Payment.
What to do if you become disabled	You have rights if you become disabled to protect you from discrimination. You might also be entitled to certain benefits.
Child Benefit complaints	Contact the Child Benefit Office if you want to complain about the service you’ve received, mistakes they’ve made or unreasonable delays.
Child Benefit for children in hospital or care	Your Child Benefit payments might be affected if your child goes into: - care for more than 8 weeks - hospital or ‘residential care’ for more than 12 weeks
Child Benefit if a child or parent dies	You’ll usually get Child Benefit for 8 weeks after the child dies. If they would have had their 20th birthday before the 8 weeks are up, Child Benefit will stop on the following Monday.
Child Benefit if you leave the UK	You’ll still get Child Benefit if you leave the UK for a short period, eg on holiday or for medical treatment.
Child Benefit if you move to the UK	Everyone needs to meet the eligibility rules to claim Child Benefit. If you’re moving to the UK from abroad you also need to prove that you: - have the right to reside in the UK l- ive in the UK as your main home - except for short periods, like holidays
Child Benefit if your child lives with someone else	You’ll usually get Child Benefit for 8 weeks after your child goes to live with someone else (eg a friend or relative), if nobody else claims. It can continue for longer if you make contributions to your child’s upkeep.
Child Benefit number and proof you qualify	You can normally use your Child Benefit number to prove you qualify for Child Benefit. Check with whoever is asking what proof they need and how up to date it has to be.
Child Benefit payment dates	Check your payment date and contact your bank before calling the Child Benefit Office if a payment is late.
Child Benefit rates	You’ll usually get Child Benefit  for children you’re responsible for, even if you’re not their parent. Only one person can get  Child Benefit for each child.
Child Benefit tax calculator	Use this tool to work out: - how much Child Benefit you receive in a tax year - the High Income Child Benefit tax charge you or your partner may have to pay
Child Benefit when your child turns 16	Your Child Benefit stops on 31 August on or after your child’s 16th birthday if they leave education or training. It continues if they stay in approved education or training, but you must tell the Child Benefit Office.
Claim Child Benefit	You get Child Benefit if you’re responsible for one or more children under 16 (or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training). There’s no limit to how many children you can claim for.
Claim and deal with Child Benefit for someone else	You can claim Child Benefit for a child you’re responsible for and their baby. If your child is claiming the Child Benefit, you can collect the payment on their behalf by talking to their bank.
Guardian's Allowance	You could get Guardian’s Allowance if you’re bringing up a child whose parents have died. You may also be eligible if there’s one surviving parent.
High Income Child Benefit Tax Charge	You may have to pay a tax charge, known as the ‘High Income Child Benefit Charge’, if you have an individual income over £50,000 and either: you or your partner get Child Benefit; someone else gets Child Benefit; or for a child living with you and they contribute at least an equal amount towards the child’s upkeep
Repay Child Benefit overpayments	You can be paid too much Child Benefit if you do not report a change in your circumstances. You’ll usually have to pay it back.
Report changes that affect your Child Benefit	Tell the Child Benefit Office about any changes to your family life. If you don’t, you may not get all the money you’re entitled to, or you may be overpaid and have to pay money back.
Apply for free school meals	Check if your child can get free school meals in England and find out how to apply on your local authority’s website.
Care to Learn	The Care to Learn scheme can help with childcare costs while you study. You must be aged under 20 at the start of your course.
Childcare Grant	You may be eligible for help with your learning costs if you: - are a full-time higher education student - have children under 15, or under 17 if they have special educational needs
Claim if you were injured while serving in the armed forces	You can claim compensation if you were injured or got an illness while serving in the armed forces (including the reserve forces).
Healthy Start	If you’re pregnant or have a child under 4, the Healthy Start scheme can help you buy basic foods like milk or fruit.
Help paying for childcare	You can get help paying for childcare if it’s provided by a: - registered childminder, playscheme, nursery or club - childminder with an Ofsted-registered childminding agency - registered school - home careworker working for a registered home care agency
Maternity Allowance	Maternity Allowance is usually paid to you if you do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay.
Maternity pay and leave	When you take time off to have a baby you might be eligible for: - Statutory Maternity Leave - Statutory Maternity Pay - paid time off for antenatal care - extra help from the government
Parents' Learning Allowance	You may be eligible for help with your learning costs if you’re a full-time student with children. This is called Parents’ Learning Allowance. How much you get depends on your household income.
Sure Start Maternity Grant	You could get a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child. This is known as a Sure Start Maternity Grant.
Appeal a Housing Benefit decision	Housing Benefit is handled by your local council - contact the council to question its decision and follow its appeals procedure.
Apply for Council Tax Reduction	Apply to your local council for Council Tax Reduction (sometimes called Council Tax Support).
Cold Weather Payment	You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits. You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below for 7 consecutive days.
Get a free or discounted TV licence	You can get a free TV licence if you’re 75 or over and a discount if you’re blind or in residential care. You can also get a short-term licence if you’re 74. It’s valid until the end of the month before your 75th birthday.
Help paying bills using your benefits	You can have some of your bills (including rent, services charges, fuel or water bills) paid directly out of your benefits payments if you’re having difficulties.
Housing Benefit	You could get Housing Benefit to help you pay your rent if you’re on a low income. Housing Benefit can pay for part or all of your rent. How much you get depends on your income and circumstances.
Housing Benefit information from your council	You can apply for Housing Benefit through your local council to help pay your rent.
National Concessionary Fuel Scheme	You could get free solid fuel or a cash allowance for fuel if you’re an ex-employee of the National Coal Board (NCB) or British Coal Corporation (BCC).
Warm Home Discount Scheme	You could get £140 off your electricity bill under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
Winter Fuel Payment	If you were born on or before 5 November 1953 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.
Bereavement Allowance (previously Widow's Pension)	You may get Bereavement Allowance if all the following apply: - your husband, wife or civil partner died before 6 April 2017 - you were 45 or over when your husband, wife or civil partner died - you’re under State Pension age - your late husband, wife or civil partner paid National Insurance contributions, or they died as a result of an industrial accident or disease
Bereavement Payment	You may be able to get a £2,000 Bereavement Payment if your spouse or civil partner died before 6 April 2017. This is a one-off, tax-free, lump-sum payment.
Bereavement Support Payment	You may be able to get Bereavement Support Payment if your husband, wife or civil partner died on or after 6 April 2017.
Get help with funeral costs (Funeral Expenses Payment)	You could get a Funeral Expenses Payment (also called a Funeral Payment) if you get certain benefits and need help to pay for a funeral you’re arranging.
War Widow(er) Pension	You may be entitled to War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension if your wife, husband or civil partner died as a result of their service in Her Majesty’s (HM) Armed Forces or during a time of war.
Widowed Parent's Allowance	You may get Widowed Parent’s Allowance (WPA) if all the following apply: - your husband, wife or civil partner died before 6 April 2017 - you’re under State Pension age - you’re entitled to Child Benefit for at least one child and your late husband, wife or civil partner was their parent - your late husband, wife or civil partner paid National Insurance contributions, or they died as a result of an industrial accident or disease
Your benefits, tax and pension after the death of a spouse	Your income will probably change after the death of your husband, wife or civil partner. If you get extra money from pensions, annuities, benefits or an inheritance, you may need to pay more tax. You may be on a lower income and need to pay less tax. Your tax allowances - the income you don’t pay tax on - may also change.
Looking after someone else's child	You can get support and financial help if someone else’s child is living with you full time.
Sure Start Maternity Grant	You could get a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child. This is known as a Sure Start Maternity Grant.
Healthy Start	If you’re pregnant or have a child under 4, the Healthy Start scheme can help you buy basic foods like milk or fruit. If you qualify for the scheme  you’ll be sent vouchers you can use in over 30,000 shops  in the UK.
Check what help you could get with childcare costs	Use this calculator to find out how much you could get towards approved childcare
Help with home to school transport	Find out if your child is eligible for help with the cost of home to school transport through your local council website.
Free school transport	Free school transport Your children may be able to get free transport to school, depending on how far the walk is and any special needs they have.
Get help with school uniform costs	Check if your local council provides help with the cost of school uniform and PE kit.
Apply for school transport for a child with special educational needs and disabilities	Your child may be entitled to free transport if they can’t walk to school because of their special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or mobility problem.
Apply for funding for community projects	Contact your council for information about community-based funding and grants for projects like activities for young people, volunteer programmes and development of communal facilities.
Check if you can get legal aid	Legal aid can help pay for legal advice. You’ll be asked general questions about your legal problem and your income and savings. You’ll be told where you can get legal advice.
Apply for a needs assessment by social services	A health and social care assessment is carried out by social services to find out what help and support you need - like healthcare, equipment, help in your home or residential care.
Apply for equipment for your home if you're disabled	If you need to adapt your home because of a disability or old age, you can apply to the council for equipment or help.
Apply for or renew a Blue Badge	Answer questions about your disability, check your eligibility and fill in an application form to apply for or renew a Blue Badge. Your application will then be sent to your council for a decision.
Change the details on your Blue Badge	You’ll be asked for your Blue Badge number, National Insurance number and local council and then you can give the details you want changed. You can ask for a replacement badge if your name has changed.
Get a Blue Badge	The Blue Badge scheme helps you park closer to your destination if you have mobility problems. Check if you’re eligible, apply and find out where you can park.
Check your State Pension age	Your State Pension age is the earliest age you can start receiving your State Pension. It may be different to the age you can get a workplace or personal pension.
Enrol your staff into a workplace pension	Employers have to provide a workplace pension for eligible staff as soon as they start work.
Apply for direct payments	If you or someone you care for get help from social services, you can apply for direct payments. These let you choose and buy the services you need yourself, instead of getting them from your council.
Calculate your armed forces redundancy benefits	Use the armed forces redundancy calculator to calculate your redundancy benefits.
Calculate your statutory redundancy pay	Calculate how much statutory redundancy you can get. It’s based on age, weekly pay and number of years in the job.
Additional State Pension	The Additional State Pension is an extra amount of money you could get on top of your basic State Pension
Check your State Pension	Use this service to find out: - how much State Pension you could get (this amount is also known as your State Pension forecast) - when you can get it - how to increase it, if you can
Find your pension centre	Look up contact details for your pension centre to make an enquiry about State Pension and Pension Credit claims.
Get your State Pension	Use this service to get your State Pension online.
International Pension Centre	Get advice or information about pensions and benefits if you live abroad or have lived abroad.
Your partner’s National Insurance record and your State Pension	People who reach State Pension age on or after 6 April 2016 will claim the new State Pension. You’ll need to know when both you and your spouse or civil partner reach State Pension age to use this tool.
Find pension contact details	Use this service to find contact details for: - your own workplace or personal pension scheme - someone else’s scheme if you have their permission

United Kingdom

Government Services :: Benefits

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