BRITAINDIRECT
My Power: Money & Debt

Benefits Help: Claim What's Yours

The system is deliberately confusing. Over £19 billion in benefits goes unclaimed every year. Don't leave money on the table.

Universal Credit: What You Must Know

Universal Credit (UC) has replaced six legacy benefits into a single monthly payment. It covers living costs, housing, children, disability, and caring responsibilities. But the system is riddled with pitfalls:

  • There's a 5-week wait for your first payment (you can request an advance loan).
  • Sanctions can cut your payment for failing to attend appointments or meet work requirements.
  • The benefit cap limits total benefits to £25,323/year (London) or £22,020/year (outside London) for couples/families.

The key to surviving UC is knowing the rules better than they do and never accepting a wrong decision without challenging it.

Key Benefits You May Be Missing

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) — for long-term health conditions or disabilities. Not means-tested.
  • Council Tax Reduction — can reduce your bill to zero. Apply through your local council.
  • Carer's Allowance — £81.90/week if you care for someone 35+ hours a week.
  • Pension Credit — tops up retirement income and unlocks other benefits (free TV licence, Cold Weather Payments).
  • Free school meals / Healthy Start vouchers — for families on low income with children.

Fighting Back Against Wrong Decisions

Mandatory Reconsideration

If your claim is refused or you get less than expected, request a Mandatory Reconsideration within 1 month. This is a formal review by a different DWP decision-maker. Put your reasons in writing and include any new evidence.

Tribunal Appeals

If the MR fails, appeal to the First-tier Tribunal — it's free. Over 70% of PIP appeals and 65% of ESA appeals succeed. You can represent yourself. Attend in person if possible — success rates are higher.

Sanctions

If sanctioned, you can request a hardship payment immediately — this is 60% of your standard allowance. Challenge the sanction via MR. If you had "good reason" for missing an appointment (illness, childcare, transport), the sanction should be overturned.

PIP: Getting the Assessment Right

PIP assessments are notoriously difficult. The assessor is looking at what you can do "reliably, repeatedly, safely, and in a timely manner." If you can do something on a good day but not every day, you cannot do it reliably. Key tips:

  • Describe your worst days, not your best.
  • Don't minimise — if you need help, say so clearly.
  • Take someone with you to the assessment as a witness.
  • Record the assessment (you have the right to — inform the assessor at the start).
  • Get supporting evidence from your GP, consultant, mental health team, or carers.

Essential Resources

Benefits Action Checklist

Don't leave money unclaimed. Don't accept wrong decisions. Fight.

Claim Everything You're Entitled To
Step-by-step guide to navigating the benefits system.

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