Changes to Your Benefit Entitlement: What You Need to Know in 2026
Published 11th of April 2013·Updated 15 April 2026
Reviewed by: Reviewed for accuracy April 2026
Millions of people in the UK claim less benefit than they are entitled to, simply because they do not know what is available or because their circumstances have changed without a corresponding update to their claim. The main benefits in 2026 are Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Housing Benefit (for pensioners) and Council Tax Reduction. If your income, health, household composition or housing costs have changed recently, it is worth checking whether your entitlement has changed too.
Short Summary
Universal Credit has replaced most working-age benefits including income support, jobseeker's allowance, tax credits and housing benefit. If you are of working age and claim any of these legacy benefits, you will eventually be migrated to Universal Credit.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is the main disability benefit for working-age adults. It is not means-tested and is available whether or not you are in work. A successful PIP claim can also unlock additional amounts within Universal Credit.
Council Tax Reduction is administered locally, so the rules and thresholds vary by council. Many people who would qualify never apply. Contact your local council directly or use an online benefits calculator to check your eligibility.
If you are unsure what you can claim, use a free benefits calculator such as Entitledto or Turn2us before contacting the DWP. These tools give an anonymous, instant estimate based on your circumstances.
What is Universal Credit and who is it for?
Universal Credit (UC) is a single monthly payment that consolidates six legacy benefits: income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, child tax credit, working tax credit and housing benefit (for working-age claimants). The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) administers it.
UC is available to people who are on a low income or out of work, whether employed, self-employed or not working. The amount you receive depends on your household circumstances, income, savings and housing costs. You can claim it whether you rent privately, from a housing association or from a local council.
Key elements that can be included in a Universal Credit award:
| Element | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| Standard allowance | All claimants |
| Housing cost element | Renters and some mortgage holders |
| Child element | Claimants with dependent children |
| Childcare element | Working claimants with childcare costs |
| Disabled worker element | Claimants with a health condition or disability in work |
| Limited capability for work element | Claimants assessed as unable to work |
| Carer element | Claimants who provide regular unpaid care |
UC is paid monthly in arrears, with a five-week wait for the first payment. You can request an advance payment from day one of your claim if you need money sooner.
What is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit for adults aged 16 to 66 who have a long-term health condition or disability that affects their daily life or mobility. It is not means-tested, so your income and savings do not affect eligibility. You can claim PIP whether or not you are in work or receiving other benefits.
PIP has two components, each with two rates:
- Daily living component: standard rate (£72.65 per week as of April 2025, verify current rate) or enhanced rate (£108.55 per week), depending on the level of difficulty with daily tasks.
- Mobility component: standard rate (£28.70 per week) or enhanced rate (£75.75 per week), depending on mobility needs.
Figures above are approximate and subject to annual uprating. Check gov.uk for the current rates before claiming.
A successful PIP claim can also increase the amount of Universal Credit you receive, unlock a Carer's Allowance for someone who supports you, and entitle you to a Blue Badge or Motability vehicle depending on your mobility award.
What is Housing Benefit and who can still claim it?
Housing Benefit for working-age people has been replaced by the housing cost element of Universal Credit. However, Housing Benefit still exists for:
- People of pension age who are not in a couple with a working-age partner
- People in certain types of temporary or supported accommodation
If you are pension age, claim Housing Benefit through your local council. Entitlement depends on your rent, income and savings. The capital limit for pensioners claiming Housing Benefit is £16,000 in savings; above this, you are generally not entitled.
What is Council Tax Reduction?
Council Tax Reduction (previously called Council Tax Benefit) is a discount on your council tax bill for people on a low income. Unlike most benefits, it is administered by your local council rather than the DWP, and each council sets its own rules and thresholds for working-age claimants.
Pensioners are protected by a nationally set scheme. Working-age claimants are subject to their local council's scheme, which varies significantly. Some councils provide a 100 per cent reduction for the lowest-income households; others cap the discount at 80 or 85 per cent of the bill.
Apply to your local council directly or use a benefits calculator to check eligibility first. Many people entitled to Council Tax Reduction never apply because they do not know it exists.
How do you check what benefits you are entitled to?
The fastest way to check your entitlement is to use a free online benefits calculator. These tools ask about your income, housing costs, household composition and health, and give an instant, anonymous estimate. The main options are:
- Entitledto (entitledto.co.uk): covers all means-tested benefits and tax credits
- Turn2us (turn2us.org.uk): also includes charitable grants you may be eligible for
- Policy in Practice Better Off Calculator: used by many local councils and advice agencies
If the calculator suggests you may be entitled to something, the next step is to contact the relevant organisation (the DWP for most benefits, your local council for council tax reduction and housing benefit for pensioners) to make a formal claim. Citizens Advice can help you navigate the process for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim Universal Credit if I am working?
Yes. Universal Credit tops up the income of working people on low wages. The amount reduces gradually as your earnings increase, based on a taper rate set by the government. As of 2026, for every £1 you earn above your work allowance (if you have one), your UC payment reduces by 55 pence. This means it is almost always worth working more hours.
What happens when I am moved from legacy benefits to Universal Credit?
The DWP is gradually migrating all remaining legacy benefit claimants to Universal Credit through a process called managed migration. You will receive a migration notice giving you a deadline to claim. You must claim UC by the date on the notice to receive transitional protection, which ensures your payments do not drop below your previous benefit amount at the point of transfer.
How do I challenge a benefit decision I think is wrong?
First, ask for a mandatory reconsideration. This is a review of the decision by someone at the DWP who was not involved in the original decision. You must request this within one month of the decision letter. If the reconsideration does not change the decision, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk) can help you with both stages at no cost.
Am I entitled to free prescriptions, dental treatment or sight tests?
If you receive Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA or income-related ESA, you are generally entitled to free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment and sight tests. You may also qualify if you receive a Pension Credit award or are in receipt of certain disability benefits. Check your eligibility using the NHS Low Income Scheme (HC1 form) at nhs.uk.
Where can I get free help with a benefit claim?
Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk or 0800 144 8848) provides free, impartial advice on all benefit claims and appeals. Turn2us (turn2us.org.uk) can also identify grants and support from charitable organisations that many people are unaware of. Both services are free and confidential.