About benefits and tax credits

This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. This page applies to Scotland only. Get advice relating to England

How are benefits calculated and what do you need to do to apply? This page explains the basic facts about benefits.

Who can apply for benefits and tax credits?

You may be able to get benefits if you:

• have a low income
• have children
• are sick or disabled
• are a full time carer
• have been bereaved.

You may be able to get tax credits if you:

• have children, or
• are working but have a low income.

Can I get more than one benefit or tax credit at a time?

Yes, if you are entitled to one benefit, then you may be entitled to others.

For example, if you are receiving incapacity benefit, you may also be entitled to income support, disability living allowance and housing and council tax benefit.

It can be difficult to work out which benefits you may be entitled to and which ones you will be better off claiming, so it's a good idea to get advice if you are thinking about claiming benefits.

Where can I get help?

You can get advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau, welfare rights agency or other advice centre. An adviser will be able to help you:

• find out what you're entitled to
• fill in application forms
• check that you are receiving the correct amount
• appeal should your application be turned down.

You can find local agencies to help you in the Advice Services Directory.

If you are disabled, you can call the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 882 200 for help with filling in benefit forms. If you are deaf or have a hearing disability you can use the minicom line on 0800 24 33 55.

You can find out more about benefits at the DWP's A-Z of Benefits website and at the Jobcentre Plus website. The EntitledTo website has online calculators to help you work out which benefits you can claim.

How do I make an application?

To apply for most benefits you will need to fill in a form, which you can get from the Department for Work and Pensions office or download from the internet. You can ask if you are not sure which form you need to complete. You should fill in and return any paperwork as quickly as possible. If you can, hand in your completed form in person and get a receipt in case there are problems later. Take photocopies of everything if you can.

It is possible to make claims for pension credit, income support and jobseeker's allowance over the phone, and you can claim some benefits online.

You will normally need to provide your national insurance number and possibly proof of your identity (such as a birth certificate or passport) and proof of your income (such as your benefit book or wage slips). If you don't provide this information, your claim could be stopped or delayed. If you are having problems providing this information, use the Advice Services Directory to find help near you.