- You may be able to receive extra income through welfare benefits
- If you are already getting some benefits, you may be able to claim more
- Your age, how much you earn and where you live may affect what you can claim
- Applying for benefits can be difficult to work out, but there is support available
- We can help with claims for Personal Independence Payment, Universal Credit or any issues you may have
You may be eligible for benefits if you:
- Have a low income
- Have children
- Are sick or living with a disability
- Are a full-time carer
- Have been bereaved
What benefits could I get and how do I apply?
- You must apply on the government website
- You can use a benefits calculator like Turn2us to find out what benefits you may get
- Other benefits calculators are available
- You can also contact your local Citizens Advice
How can we help you?
Contact us for support if you’re claiming benefits for the first time.
We can help you:
- Find out what benefits you can claim
- Complete online forms
- Make appeals
- By visiting you at home if needed
Pension Credit
What is Pension Credit?
Pension Credit is a benefit for people over State Pension age that can top up your income. Even if you only qualify for a small amount, it can help you access other financial support, including full Housing Benefit.
There are two types of Pension Credit. Some people get one or the other and some people get both.
1. Guarantee Pension Credit
- For people of Pension Credit age
- Tops income up to a minimum weekly level
- More generous than working age means-tested benefits
- Even if you only qualify for a small amount, you will automatically qualify for the maximum help with your rent
2. Savings Pension Credit
- For people aged 65 and over
- Provides extra money for people who have saved for retirement, like a private or workplace pension
From April 2025, Pension Credit tops up:
- Your weekly income to £227.10 if you’re single
- Your joint weekly income to £346.60 if you have a partner of Pension Credit age
Even with a higher income, you could still get Pension Credit if you are living with a disability, you care for someone, you have savings or housing costs.
If you are not sure if you qualify, it is worth applying. You have nothing to lose!
What happens when I apply for Pension Credit?
Your income will be calculated
If you have a partner of pension age, your income will be calculated together
If your partner is not of pension age, they must claim Universal Credit for you instead
Find out more about Universal Credit and Pension Age.
More welfare and benefit information
Does someone aged 18 or over live with you?
- Anyone that lives with you who is 18 or over is classed as a non-dependant. If they get Universal Credit, it’s 21 or over
- The government assumes someone of this age will be giving you money towards household costs
- This means the government can take some money from your Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support and Universal Credit
The rules are complicated. Always check the correct money has been taken from your Housing Benefit, Universal Credit or Council Tax Support award and that your rent and council tax payments are right.
Learn more about non-dependant deductions.
Discretionary housing payments
If you’re struggling to pay your rent or cover the costs of moving home, you may be able to get extra help.
- Each year the government gives local councils money to give to tenants as Discretionary Housing Payments
- These payments help people pay their rent, rent deposits or moving costs with a new tenancy
- You can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment if you qualify for Housing Benefit or the housing costs element of Universal Credit
Find out more and apply on the Manchester City Council website
Council Tax Support
- Council Tax Support helps you pay Council Tax if you are on a low income or claiming certain benefits
- Housing Benefit includes Council Tax Support
- Universal Credit does not automatically include Council Tax Support
- If you think you might qualify and are claiming Universal Credit, you need to make a separate claim for Council Tax Support to your council
Benefit cap
Benefit Cap is a limit the government puts on the total amount of welfare benefits you can receive.
- It will not affect you if you and your partner are Pension Credit age
- The cap mainly affects large families with 4 or more children, or 3 or more in a higher rented area
- You may still be able to claim one of the benefits that will stop you being affected by the cap
- Check the Benefit Cap Calculator to see how it might affect you
Benefits affected by the cap
The Benefit Cap applies to the total amount you, your partner and any children living with you gets from the following benefits:
- Bereavement Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Child Tax Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance unless you get the support component
- Housing Benefit
- Incapacity Benefit
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Maternity Allowance
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance
- Widowed Mother’s Allowance or Widows Pension if you started getting it before 9 April 2001
- Universal Credit unless you’ve had a work capability assessment and aren’t fit for work
Benefit Cap amounts
If you live in Manchester or anywhere outside Greater London, your total weekly benefits must be below:
- £384.62 per week (£20,000 a year) if you’re in a couple, with or without children
- £384.62 per week (£20,000 a year) if you’re single and your children live with you
- £257.69 per week (£13,400 a year) if you’re single without children or children don’t live with you
