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Frequently asked questions - benefits 
If there is a question that you have been puzzling over why not suggest a faq.
Q1. Where can I get advice on benefits?
Q2. How do I find out what I can claim?
Q3. How can I find out about a particular benefit?
Q4. How do I find out how to claim a particular benefit?
Q5. Where can I find out benefit rates?
Q6. What is the habitual residence test?
Q7. What happens to my benefits if I go into hospital?
Q8. Which benefits are taxable?
Q9. What is local housing allowance?
Q10. Does severe mental ill-health affect the amount of council tax benefit a person is entitled to?
Q11. What will happen when my disability living allowance (DLA) award ends?
Q12. How does my savings affect my benefits?
The best way to get advice on benefits is to go to a local advice centre in your area, such as a local citizen's advice bureau.
The homeless uk website has an excellent "services" search facility which enables you to search, by area, for agencies providing benefits and debt advice (be sure and type benefits in the "text" box).
Disability Alliance has also produced a factsheet entitled Finding a local advice centre which you can download.
You can get advice on claiming at a local advice centre in your area, such as a local citizen's advice bureau (see Q1). You can also see information about benefits on our what you can claim pages.
You can find out information about a particular benefit on our what you can claim pages.
You can find out how to claim a particular benefit on our what you can claim pages.
You can view benefit rates going back from the present to 2004 on our benefit rates page.
If you claim income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, pension credit, housing benefit or council tax benefit you have to be 'habitually resident' in the UK, and have the right to reside to get them.
You can find out information about the habitual residence test by selecting the appropriate benefit from our alphabetical description of all benefits page.
Our Factsheet F7 - benefits in hospital details how your benefits will be affected if you go into hospital.
You can see a full list of all taxable benefits on our website.
Local housing allowance (LHA) is a set amount of housing benefit paid if you are in private sector rented accommodation. What you get is based on where you live and who is in your household and is not necessarily the actual amount of rent you pay. The LHA scheme applies throughout the United Kingdom, but operates differently in Northern Ireland. You can find out more information about LHA from our Factsheet F11 - local housing allowance.
You may be able to get a council tax discount or your accommodation may be exempt from council tax altogether if you are considered to be severely mentally impaired. To find out more about this see our Factsheet F43 - help with council tax .
When your current DLA ends you will be sent a renewal claim pack about six months before your claim is due to end. You must complete the pack in as much detail as possible, as carefully as you would the claim form.
It is also a good idea to speak to your GP about your condition. The Department for Work and Pensions often write to doctors asking for information in renewal cases so it pays to keep your GP up to date about how your condition is affecting your everyday activities.
You should also supply any additional information in support of your claim. This could include reports written by occupational therapists, social workers or other professionals.
It is also a good idea to contact an independent advice centre, where you can get help with completing the form and gathering evidence.
The homeless uk website has an excellent "services" search facility which enables you to search, by area, for agencies providing benefits and debt advice (be sure and type benefits in the "text" box).
Disability Alliance has also produced a factsheet entitled Finding a local advice centre.
This depends on the benefit that you are claiming. For information about how your savings are affected when you claim income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit or council tax benefit see our capital rules for means tested benefits page.
For information about how other benefits are affected see our capital rules other than for income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit page.
