About this information
This information applies to:
people who are serving in the armed forces
people who used to serve in the armed forces (veterans)
the dependants of people serving in the armed forces and veterans
There are many different kinds of financial help available for people in the armed forces, veterans and their families.
You can use this information to find out what financial help might be available to you, depending on your situation. You can also use this information to find details of organisations that might be able to help you further.
What financial help is available?
Veterans,...
You might be able to claim some money if someone has died.
What you can claim depends on your circumstances and what your relationship was to the person who died.
Get help to pay for their funeral
If you get benefits, you might be able to get help to pay for the funeral of a partner, close relative, close friend or child you were responsible for.
You can check if you can get a Funeral Expenses Payment on GOV.UK.
Claiming Bereavement Support Payment
If your partner has died, you might be able to claim Bereavement Support Payment.
If you and your partner weren’t married or in a civil partnership,...
If you’ve recently moved or returned to the UK, there are extra rules about whether you can get most benefits. The rules mean you might have to pass a 'residence test' by showing certain information about where you've been living. The rules apply even if you’re a British citizen.
You might have to pass one of the following tests:
habitual residence - this means showing that the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands is your main home
past presence - for adults this means showing you've been in Great Britain for 2 of the last 3 years
3-month living in - if you applied...
You might need to show you have a right to reside in the UK to claim the following benefits:
Universal Credit
Pension Credit
Child Benefit
Housing Benefit
You don’t need a right to reside to claim any other benefits - for example Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Carer’s Allowance.
You’ll need to show you have a right to reside if you’ve got pre-settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme - or if you’ve applied to the scheme and you’re waiting for a decision.
You might be in this situation if you’re a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland and...
Carer’s Allowance is a benefit for people who are giving regular and substantial care to disabled people. Carer’s Allowance is a taxable benefit and forms part of your taxable income.
Check if you can get Carer’s Allowance
You can usually get Carer’s Allowance if all of the following apply:
you're aged 16 or over
you're not in full time education
you spend at least 35 hours a week caring for a disabled person
you don't earn more than £139 a week from employment or self-employment – after deductions such as income tax, National Insurance and half of your pension contributions
The person...
You might be able to claim benefits if:
you have difficulty with everyday tasks or getting around
you can’t work because you’re sick or disabled
you’re on a low income or you have no income
Coronavirus - get help from an NHS volunteer
If you’re disabled you can ask a volunteer to go shopping for you or collect a prescription. You can also talk to a volunteer on the phone if you’re feeling lonely because you’re self-isolating.
Check if you can get help on the NHS Volunteer Responders website
If you have difficulty with everyday tasks or getting around
You might be able to get:
Disability...
Your Income Support might have stopped because:
you didn’t report a change in circumstances - for example, your partner moved in with you
the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) thinks you’re earning more than you told them
you didn’t reply when the DWP wrote to check certain details of your claim
the DWP thinks you're no longer caring for someone
your child turned 5
The DWP should have written to tell you that your Income Support is being stopped - and the date it will end. The letter will say something like ‘you’re no longer entitled to Income Support’ and should tell you why.
If...
You must tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about certain changes in your money, work or home life. This is called a ‘change of circumstances’.
You might also need to tell them about changes that affect people you live with or someone you care for. For example, if someone you care for stops getting Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance (AA).
Tell them even if it seems like a small change, or if it’s only for a short time. For example, if you’re a single parent and your 4-year-old child temporarily moves in with your ex-partner.
Most...
If you get Income Support you should have a 'basic payment' paid into your bank account every 2 weeks.
You might get additional payments - known as ‘premiums’ - on top of the basic payment if you need extra help - for example, if you or your partner is disabled.
Check when you'll get Cost of Living Payments
If you’re eligible, the government will send you a payment of £299 during spring 2024. You’ll get this between 6 and 22 February 2024.
To get the £299 payment you must have been entitled to an Income Support payment between 13 November and 12 December 2023.
If you didn’t get the last...