Benefits and discounts UK households often miss

By Brit Finance HQ Editorial Team · Published 4 May 2026 · Updated 20 October 2026

A checklist of help that often goes unclaimed: Pension Credit, Marriage Allowance, council tax discounts, the Warm Home Discount, social tariffs, Help to Save and more, with how to check.

Every year, billions of pounds of benefits and discounts go unclaimed in the UK, often because people assume they won't qualify. Some of the help below is not means-tested at all. Others unlock further support. This checklist explains what each is and how to check, with links to the official pages. Rules and amounts change, so always confirm on GOV.UK.

Start with a benefits calculator

GOV.UK links to free, anonymous benefits calculators (such as Turn2us, Policy in Practice and entitledto) that check what you might get based on your circumstances. It takes around 15–20 minutes and is the quickest way to spot entitlements you didn't know about.

Pension Credit

If you have reached State Pension age and are on a low income, Pension Credit tops up your weekly income. Even a small award matters because it is a gateway to other help, such as Housing Benefit, help with council tax, a free TV licence for those aged 75 or over, the Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payments. You can claim online or by phone, and some claims can be backdated by up to three months.

Marriage Allowance

If you are married or in a civil partnership and one of you earns less than the Personal Allowance, they can transfer £1,260 of their allowance to the other partner, as long as the higher earner is a basic-rate taxpayer. That can reduce the couple's tax by up to £252 a year, and you can backdate a claim for up to four previous tax years. It is free to apply on GOV.UK; you do not need a claims company.

Council tax reductions

Single person discount: 25% off if you are the only adult (18 or over) living in the property.
Disregards: some people are not counted, such as full-time students and some carers, so a household may still qualify for a discount.
Council Tax Reduction: help for people on a low income, run by local councils with their own rules.
Disabled band reduction: if your home has been adapted for a disabled person.
Check your council tax band is correct; you can ask the Valuation Office Agency (in England and Wales) to review it if you think it is wrong.

Warm Home Discount

A one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill for winter 2026 to 2027. In England and Wales, you are usually eligible if, on 23 August 2026, you or your partner received Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, income-related ESA or Pension Credit, and your name was on the bill with a participating supplier. Most people get it automatically; letters go out from late October 2026. Scotland has its own rules.

Many providers offer cheaper social tariffs for people on Universal Credit, Pension Credit and certain other benefits. They are often much cheaper than standard deals and usually have no exit fees. Ofcom lists the providers and tariffs available. Some water companies also have social tariffs.

Help to Save

If you get Universal Credit and had take-home pay of £1 or more in your last assessment period, you can open a Help to Save account. Save between £1 and £50 a month and the government adds a 50% bonus, up to £1,200 over four years. The scheme has been made permanent.

Health costs

Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In England, many people qualify for free prescriptions, for example if you are 60 or over, under 16, or on certain benefits. A prescription prepayment certificate can save money if you need regular items.
The NHS Low Income Scheme can help with prescriptions, dental care, eye tests and travel to hospital.
Healthy Start helps eligible pregnant women and families with young children buy milk, fruit and vegetables in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Help for carers and disabled people

Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Carer's Allowance are often under-claimed. Attendance Allowance and PIP are not means-tested and can be claimed whether or not you work, and they can increase other benefits.

Step by step: a 30-minute benefits check

Run a GOV.UK-listed benefits calculator.
Check Marriage Allowance eligibility if you are in a couple.
Check your council tax for discounts and the right band.
Ask your broadband and mobile providers about social tariffs.
If over State Pension age, check Pension Credit, even if you think you won't qualify.

Frequently asked questions

Will claiming one benefit stop another?

Sometimes benefits interact, which is why a calculator or adviser helps. Citizens Advice and Turn2us provide free help.

Sources and further reading

Facts checked on 20 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.