Benefits calculators

About

You can 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

The calculators are free to use, anonymous, and have replaced the Benefits Advisor service.

The calculators

Use one of the following:

  • Policy in Practice - for information on income-related benefits, tax credits, contribution-based benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit, how these are calculated and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours.
  • Entitled to - for information on income-related benefits, tax credits, contribution-based benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work.
  • Turn2us - for information on income-related benefits, tax credits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours.
What you will need

You’ll need accurate information about your:

  • Savings
  • Income, including your partner’s (from payslips, for example)
  • Existing benefits and pensions (including anyone living with you)
  • Outgoings (such as rent, mortgage, family payments)
  • Council tax bill
Who cannot use them

You cannot use the calculators if you’re under 18, and they will not give accurate results if you’re:

  • A prisoner
  • A student
  • Not a British or Irish citizen
  • On strike
  • Living outside the UK
  • Living permanently in residential care or a nursing home
Universal Credit

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.

If you already get benefits

Universal Credit will replace the following benefits:

  • Tax Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Working Tax Credit

If you currently get any of these benefits, you do not need to do anything unless:

  • You have a change of circumstances you need to report
  • The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) contacts you about moving to Universal Credit

Severe disability premium

You cannot claim Universal Credit if you either:

  • Get the severe disability premium, or are entitled to it
  • Got or were entitled to the severe disability premium in the last month, and you’re still eligible for it

If you have a change of circumstances that affects the severe disability premium or your other benefits, report it and you’ll be told what to do next.

Eligibility

To check if you are eligible for Universal Credit

Who to contact

Website(s)

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