If a problem with National Insurance is affecting your benefits You'll need a National Insurance number to claim benefits, even if you've never worked before. You'll also need to have paid some National Insurance to qualify for certain benefits. If you don't have one, you'll need to apply for a National Insurance number at GOV.UK. You can also check where to find your National Insurance number at GOV.UK if you've lost it. If you've been told you haven't paid enough National Insurance to claim a benefit You can check how much National Insurance you've paid on GOV.UK. You'll need to set up...

You can volunteer while claiming benefits, as long as you keep to the conditions of the benefits you get. Check the rules about volunteering for the benefit you claim to make sure your benefits aren't affected. Volunteering is unpaid work for someone other than a close relative - for example, working for a charity or not for profit organisation. If you’re a volunteer, you’ll have no contract of employment. This means you decide how many hours you want to volunteer each week. You won’t be paid for your work, but can be paid for out of pocket expenses. This includes money spent on food, travel...

Most benefits are usually paid by direct credit transfer straight into an account. This includes: benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) tax credits Child Benefit Guardian’s Allowance If you have problems opening an account, or payment by this method will be difficult for you, see under the heading Difficulties opening or managing an account. Council Tax Reduction is usually paid by a reduction in your Council Tax bill. Housing Benefit may be paid by a reduction in your rent if you are a local authority tenant, and it is sometimes paid direct to your landlord in other...

If you’re struggling with the cost of living, you should check if you can claim benefits or increase your current benefits.  You might be able to claim certain benefits even if you work, have savings or own a home. To check what benefits you can get, you can: use a benefits calculator - for a detailed check based on your personal situation read our general benefits advice - to quickly check if you could get Universal Credit and other benefits Why it’s worth checking what you can get Lots of people miss out on benefits they’re entitled to - so it’s worth checking what you can...