Find out about benefits and support

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly - or you can choose to be paid twice a month.

If you have a query about Universal Credit, you can phone the free government helpline on 0800 328 5644.

Attendance Allowance helps pay for your personal care if you're 65 or older and disabled. You can download the claim form or phone 0800 731 0122.

Carers Allowance is money to help you look after someone who needs to be cared for. You can make a claim online or phone 0800 731 0297.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is money you get if you cannot work because of illness or disability. You can make a claim online, or call 0800 055 6688. If you have a query about ESA, call 0800 169 0310.

Income Support can help to cover your costs if you’re on a low income. You can phone 0800 169 0350 to make a claim if you are eligible.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help you with some of the extra costs if you have long term ill-health or a disability. Call 0800 917 2222 to make a claim, or call 0800 121 4433 if you have a query.

Best Start Grants are payments available from the Scottish Government to support low income families with children. You can apply online or phone 0800 182 2222.

Child Benefit is money you get if you’re responsible for one or more children under 16 (or under 20 if they stay in education or training). You can make a claim online or phone 0300 200 3100.

Tax Credits have been replaced by Universal Credit for most people. Use the tax credits calculator to estimate how much you could get. You can phone 0345 300 3900 to make a claim if you are eligible.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children may help with the extra costs of looking after a child who is under 16 and has a disability. You can make a claim online or phone 0800 121 4600.

Pupils are eligible for free school meals if their parents or carers receive certain benefits. Find out more about applying for free school meals.

In some circumstances, we can provide a grant towards the costs of school clothing and footwear if you receive certain benefits. Find out more about applying for a school clothing grant.

An Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is a payment of £30 per week, paid directly into your bank account if you stay on in school, college or in home education after your official school leaving date. Find out more about applying for an EMA.

You can find out more about the State Pension on the GOV.UK website.

Use the online tool to check your State Pension age. There are three ways to claim your State Pension:

• Get your State Pension online.
• Download an application form to claim by post.
• Phone the claim line on 0800 731 7898.

Pension Credit is extra money for pensioners to bring your weekly income up to a minimum amount. To make a claim, call 0800 99 1234.

See the Money Advice Service website for more information about pensions and retirement savings.

Council Tax Reduction is a means-tested reduction available to people who have a low income to help towards the cost of council tax.

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It’s being replaced by Universal Credit.

Local Housing Allowance (LHA) is a benefit to help tenants of private landlords pay their rent.

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) is a fund to help people struggling to pay rent and meet their housing costs such as rent in advance, rent deposits or housing removal costs.

Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) is an unemployment benefit you can claim while looking for work. You can make a claim online or call 0800 055 6688. If you have a query about JSA, call 0800 169 0310.

Income Support can help to cover your costs if you’re on a low income. You can phone 0800 169 0350 to make a claim if you are eligible.

Tax Credits have been replaced by Universal Credit for most people. Use the tax credits calculator to estimate how much you could get. You can phone 0345 300 3900 to make a claim if you are eligible.