[Sticky] A to Z of benefits

Whether you're new here or have been around a while, here's a friendly starting point. Ask away in the forum if any of these leave you with questions.

A – Attendance Allowance: for people over State Pension age who need help because of illness or disability.

B – Bereavement Support Payment: financial support after the loss of a partner.

C – Carer's Allowance: for those caring for someone at least 35 hours a week.

D – Disability Living Allowance: mainly for children under 16 with care or mobility needs.

E – Employment and Support Allowance (ESA): for those with a health condition or disability affecting their ability to work.

F – Free School Meals: for children in families on certain benefits or low incomes.

G – Guardians allowance: extra support if you're bringing up a child whose parents have died.

H – Housing Benefit: help with rent for some claimants, such as pension-age or supported housing. Most working-age people get help through Universal Credit.

I – Income Support: an older benefit that's still around for a small number of people.

J – Jobseeker's Allowance: for people looking for work, including "new style" JSA.

K – Kinship Care: if you're raising a relative's child, you may be able to claim Child Benefit, Guardian's Allowance and more.

L – Local Housing Allowance: the rate used to work out housing costs for private renters.

M – Maternity Allowance: for those who don't qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay.

N – National Insurance credits: they protect your State Pension record when you can't work

O – Over-80s Pension: a small pension for some people aged 80 or over.
P – Personal Independence Payment (PIP) PIP helps with the extra costs of a long-term condition or disability.

Pension Credit: Pension Credit tops up income in later life.

Q – Qualifying benefits: receiving certain benefits can unlock other help, like free prescriptions or school meals.
R – Reduction in Council Tax: ask your local council about Council Tax Reduction.
S – Statutory Sick Pay: paid by your employer when you're too ill to work.
T – Tax-Free Childcare: help with childcare costs for working parents.
U – Universal Credit: the main monthly payment for people on a low income, in or out of work.
V – Vouchers (Healthy Start): help buying food and milk for pregnant women and young children.
W – Winter Fuel Payment and Warm Home Discount: help with heating costs. Eligibility has changed recently, so check before assuming.
X – X marks the spot: try a free benefits calculator (like Turn2us or Entitledto) to find what you might be missing.
Y – Young Carer Grant: available in Scotland for carers aged 16 to 18.
Z – Zero-hours workers: you may still be able to get Universal Credit or Statutory Sick Pay, so don't assume you're not eligible.

A gentle reminder: rules, rates and eligibility change often and vary across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It's always worth checking GOV.UK or speaking to Citizens Advice. – Employment and Support Allowance: for those with a health condition or disability affecting their ability to work.