Increase your income

Take on more work

Can you, your partner or others living in your home take on more work to increase the household income?

Check what difference this would make if you are receiving benefits. You can do this with a benefit calculator.

Get contributions from household members 

Other adults living with you should be working or claiming benefits. You should be receiving a contribution from them towards rent, food, and other bills.

Your entitlement to Universal Credit, housing benefit and council tax support could be reduced because they live with you. This means it’s even more important you receive a contribution from other adults in the property.

Long term ill-health or disability

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both:

• a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
• difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition

You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.

Find out more about PIP on GOV.UK. Guidance is also available on PIP from Citizens Advice.

Carer's Allowance

You could get Carer's Allowance if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.

You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.

You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person.

If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.

Find out more about the Carer's Allowance on GOV.UK.

Child maintenance

If you have children with an ex-partner, they should contribute towards the child’s everyday living costs. Even if the parent does not see their child, they are legally responsible for the costs of raising them.

You can arrange child maintenance yourselves in a flexible arrangement. It might include:

• shared care
• splitting the costs of items
• a regular contribution towards household costs, uniforms, school trips or clubs

You can find independent advice about child maintenance options from the Citizens Advice Bureau.

The maintenance you receive may affect other benefits.

This might not be appropriate if your think the other parent poses a threat to you or your children, or if you are a victim of domestic violence.

Child Benefit

You get Child Benefit if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is:

• under 16
• under 20 if they stay in approved education or training

Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child.

There’s no limit to how many children you can claim for.

Find out more about Child Benefit on GOV.UK.

Winter Fuel Payment

If you have reached state pension age, you maybe entitled to between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills, this is known as the Winter Fuel Payment.

This is normally paid automatically. If you haven’t received your payment by the beginning of January you can:

• visit winter fuel payment on GOV.UK
• call the Winter Fuel helpline on 0800 731 0160