Benefit rates

Before calculating benefits, it's helpful to gather up the following information:

• Details of all your client's income. This will include benefits, tax credits, earnings from employment, State Retirement Pension and occupational pensions

• Check whether the client is married, in a civil partnership or living with someone as a couple - you will need details of the partner’s income as well. Benefit entitlement will be assessed as a couple

• Details of how much money the client has in savings, investments and other capital

• How much the annual Council Tax bill is and whether your client already gets any discounts, reductions or exemptions

• Details of your client's rent or mortgage payments

• Information about anyone else living with your client, such as grown-up children. Are they in employment or on benefits? What is their income?

• Whether anyone receives Carer's Allowance for looking after your client or anyone else in their household.

To calculate a client's benefit entitlement advisers can use Turn2Us online benefit calculator.  

If you need the rate for a specific benefit Rightsnet list the rates for all benefits (this includes Scotland specific benefits)