This chapter covers:

1. Attendance allowance (►)

2. Carer’s allowance (►)

3. Child benefit (►)

4. Council tax benefit (►)

5. Disability living allowance (►)

6. Employment and support allowance (►)

7. Guardian’s allowance (►)

8. Health benefits (►)

9. Housing benefit (►)

10. Incapacity benefit (►)

11. Income support (►)

12. Jobseeker’s allowance (►)

13. Pension credit (►)

14. The social fund (►)

15. Statutory adoption pay (►)

16. Tax credits (►)

17. Widowed parent’s allowance (►)

This chapter gives an outline of the basic conditions of entitlement for the main benefits and tax credits. Other chapters look at how benefits and tax credits are affected when a child comes to live with you, goes to live elsewhere, or leaves local authority care.

To check your benefit entitlement, first use the chapter covering the circumstances that apply to you. This explains the specific rules that apply to benefits in your circumstances. Then use this chapter for an outline of the general conditions of entitlement that apply to everyone. If you need more details, see CPAG’s Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook. Chapter 2 explains how to claim benefits and tax credits, how to appeal against a decision if you disagree with it and how to make a complaint.