Means-tested benefits
Some benefits are means-tested. In other words, the amount of income and capital you have can affect your eligibility. Means-tested benefits are available to people who can demonstrate that their income and capital are below a certain level. The means-tested benefits are:
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Tax Credits (Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit)
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Support
- Social Fund (Sure Start Maternity Grant, Funeral Payment, Cold Weather Payment)
- Universal Credit.
Your means (income, savings and other capital) will be looked at to see if they are low enough for you to qualify.
If your means are greater than your needs (the amount the government estimates you need to live on), the benefit is reduced or may not be paid at all, so the amount you are entitled to can vary from one person to another.
You can get these benefits even if you have not paid enough national insurance contributions.
You can use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to work out your entitlement to means-tested benefits.