Have you claimed Child Benefit?
Child Benefit can be claimed by parents or guardians with a child:
- Under 16 in their household or
- Under 20 if they stay in approved education or training
You can get:
- £1,248 per year for a first child
- £826.80 for any other child
These rates are as of 2023.
You can now claim fully online. The money should arrive within three days.
What kind of benefits can I claim?
The government is moving people from “legacy benefits” to Universal Credit (UC). This includes:
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- And others
UC is the benefit most people in the UK claim. It is designed to support people who are:
- Unemployed
- On low incomes
- Unable to work due to illness or disability
- Caring for dependents
It combines many old benefit types into one monthly payment. It can be split into two payments for people living in Scotland.
The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) and most local authorities have adopted UC as standard. You are told to apply for UC when you make a new claim.
I'm on benefits, will I be moved to Universal Credit?
The government wants to move everyone onto Universal Credit by 2029.
You might move earlier if:
- Your circumstances change
- You will be moved onto UC if your claim changes
- The DWP writes to ask if you would like to move
- You can agree to this change
- You claim from your local authority
- They are moving to UC as standard for the claims they manage
You get a top-up if your UC payment is lower than your current benefits.
Visit Gov.UK for more information.