💷 A young person’s guide to benefits

Benefits are money from the government to help people with living costs.

You might be able to get benefits if:

you are on a low income
you are not working
you cannot work because of your health
you are caring for someone or have a child

✅ Things to remember

You can still get benefits while working if your income is low
You may need to attend meetings or agree a plan (called a “claimant commitment”)
It’s okay to ask for help — benefits can feel confusing

You’re not expected to figure all of this out on your own.

If you need help with money, rent or work — there is support available, and it’s okay to ask.

You can seek advice from a trusted adult or contact Citizens Advice.

What is it?

Universal Credit is the main benefit for people aged 18+ to help with:

rent
food
bills
everyday living costs

It is usually paid monthly.

Who can get it?

You may be able to claim Universal Credit if you:

are 18 or over (some 16–17 year olds can claim in special situations)
are on a low income or not working
live in the UK
have less than £16,000 in savings

Can 16–17 year olds claim?

Most people need to be 18, but you might be able to claim earlier if:

you do not have support from your family
you have a child or are pregnant
you have a disability or health condition
you are a young carer

How much could you get?

The amount depends on your situation.

For example (2026):

Under 25 (single): about £338.58 per month
You may get more if you need help with housing, health, or caring

Extra support if you have a child or children

extra Universal Credit money for your child
help with childcare costs (up to 85%)

Support if you are caring for someone with a disability over 30 hours unpaid:

You may be able to get:

extra Universal Credit
or Carer’s Allowance

What to learn more?

Turn2us - Universal credit (UC) explained: a complete guide

What is it?

Universal Credit is the main benefit for people aged 18+ to help with:

rent
food
bills
everyday living costs

It is usually paid monthly.

Who can get it?

You may be able to claim Universal Credit if you:

are 18 or over (some 16–17 year olds can claim in special situations)
are on a low income or not working
live in the UK
have less than £16,000 in savings

Can 16–17 year olds claim?

Most people need to be 18, but you might be able to claim earlier if:

you do not have support from your family
you have a child or are pregnant
you have a disability or health condition
you are a young carer

How much could you get?

The amount depends on your situation.

For example (2026):

Under 25 (single): about £338.58 per month
You may get more if you need help with housing, health, or caring

Extra support if you have a child or children

extra Universal Credit money for your child
help with childcare costs (up to 85%)

Support if you are caring for someone with a disability over 30 hours unpaid:

You may be able to get:

extra Universal Credit
or Carer’s Allowance

What to learn more?

Turn2us - Universal credit (UC) explained: a complete guide

🏠 Paying Rent

To get help with your rent (like Housing Benefit or the housing part of Universal Credit):

You must be renting your home with a proper agreement
You cannot get help if you live with your landlord and they are a close family member
(for example: your parent)

👉 It does not matter if you are working – you can still apply.

💡 How much help could I get?

How much you get depends on your income and your situation
If you rent from a private landlord, the help you get may only cover the cost of shared housing (like living in a house with shared kitchen or bathroom)

🧾 Council Tax

Council Tax is money you pay to your local council for services.

If you are under 18, you do not have to pay Council Tax
If you are on a low income, you may be able to get help through Council Tax Support

🎓 Studying and Benefits

You can still claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support if you are:

In education or training
Under 21 and studying a course below degree level
Started your course before you were 19