02. What benefits and tax credits are available?

All basic benefits generally fall into one of three groups. Each group has different ways of qualifying, although there can be some overlap between them. For example, you can claim Jobseekers Allowance either because your income is low or if you have paid enough national insurance contributions.

Means-tested benefits and tax credits
Some benefits are worked out by applying a 'means test'. In other words, whether you can claim them depends on how much money you have. They are there to help you if you have a low income. They are all worked out by comparing the needs of you and your family with the amount of income you already have to live on. For example, you may get Child Tax Credit if you are looking after children and your income is below a certain level.

National insurance-based benefits
You can claim a second group of benefits if you have paid enough national insurance contributions (so in a way, you are claiming money you have already paid). An example of this type of benefit is the state Retirement Pension, which can be paid to you if you are over pensionable age (currently 65 for men and 60 for women) and if you (or in some cases, your husband or wife) have paid or been credited with enough national insurance contributions.

Other benefits
A third group of benefits depends neither on a means test nor on any contributions. For example, you can claim child benefit if you have a child. It doesn't matter how much money you have, or how much national insurance you have paid.

You can claim more than one type of benefit at the same time, although some individual benefits cannot be paid together. It is important to get advice about your choices. Each of the sections in this leaflet describes the main benefits that you may qualify for depending on you and your family's circumstances and your financial position.