What state benefits can I apply for?

Generally speaking there are three categories of welfare benefits. These are: those intended to replace earnings if you are sick or unemployed; those intended to help compensate for extra costs, such as the extra costs related to disabilities; and those that help to alleviate poverty, such as Income Support, which are means tested.

Which state benefits are means tested?

A number of state benefits are means tested, so your income will be taken into account when you are assessed for eligibility. Among them are:
Community Care grants
Council Tax Benefits
Housing Benefit
Income Support
Jobseekers Allowance
Pension and other tax credits.

You can find the answers to common questions about these benefits on our page of frequently asked questions about means-tested benefits.

Which state benefits are not means tested?

Some state benefits can be awarded without taking into account your income. Such benefits include:
Attendance Allowance
Disability Living Allowance
Incapacity Benefit
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
War Disablement Benefit.

You can find out more about these benefits by reading our list of frequently asked questions about non means-tested benefits.

How can I appeal against any decision made about benefits that I believe I should receive?

You can appeal against any decision issued within a one month period of the date on the letter you have received turning your benefit application down. You will need a leaflet called GL24, which has all of the relevant information and a form that you should complete to start the appeal process.

For further information please see our factsheets:

"Challenging Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance decisions"
"Benefits for deaf and hard of hearing people"
"Disability Living Allowance - information for deaf and hard of hearing people"
"Attendance Allowance - information for deaf and hard of hearing people"
"Benefits and incapacity for work - information for deaf and hard of hearing people"