Am I entitled to welfare support?

Welfare support can help people in different ways.

It may give money, help with housing, food support, help if you have a disability, childcare help, healthcare, or emergency help.

What you can get depends on where you live and your own situation.

It can help to make a list of the help you need. You can also ask a trusted person, social worker, or support worker to help you understand your options.

You may be able to get help if certain things apply to you.

These can include:

• how much money you earn
• how much money you have saved
• how many people live with you
• your age
• if you have a disability
• if you have a job or not
• where you live
• your immigration or residency status

If you find this hard to read, try using a ruler or your finger to follow the words. You can also ask someone you trust to read it with you.

No. Some welfare support is also for people who are working, but still have a low income.

It can also help people who are disabled, carers, older people, or people going through a short hard time.

Helpful tips:

• Read one sentence at a time.

• Use a ruler or your finger to follow the words.

• Ask someone you trust to read it with you.

Yes, some welfare programs have rules about savings and assets.

If your savings are too high, you may get less help.

You may also not get some benefits at all.

It can help to check the rules for each benefit.

You can also ask a support worker, adviser, or local benefits office for help.

Writing down your savings and using a simple calculator may make this easier.

Yes, you may still qualify.

This can happen if:

• your earnings are low enough
• your home life meets the rules for the programme

If you are not sure, ask someone to help you check. You can also use a calculator, a benefits checker, or a support worker.

Often, yes.

Many welfare programs check the money that your household has. They may also check the money of your partner.

This means they may look at income and savings from more than one person.

Yes. If you have children who depend on you, you may be able to get more support.

This support can include:

• family benefits
• help with childcare costs
• tax credits

To help you understand what you can get, it may help to:

• use a benefits checker
• ask a support worker
• write down your questions before you ask for help

You may get extra support if your condition makes daily life, movement, or work harder.

A doctor or other expert may need to check your condition first. You may also need to meet other rules.

Helpful tools can include a note book, reminder alarms, a phone calendar, or asking someone you trust for help.

Yes. Renters may be able to get help with housing or rent if they meet the income rules and tenancy rules for the program.

You may be able to get help with housing right away.

This help could include emergency housing, temporary housing, or extra support from local welfare services or housing offices.

It can help to ask for support as soon as you can. You could also take a trusted person with you, or write down the key things you want to say before you ask.

Yes. Many welfare programmes need you to be a citizen, a permanent resident, or have another approved immigration status.

Some emergency services may still be available even if you do not have this status.

If you are not sure, it can help to:

• ask the local welfare office
• use a trusted support worker or translator
• write down your questions before you call or visit
• check official government websites

Sometimes.

Students may get some help. This can include grants, housing help, disability support, or family benefits.

But some support only works for students who study full time.

If you need help, ask your school or local advice service. They can explain what you can get.

Usually, yes.

You may need to show some papers.

These can include:

- proof of income
- proof of identity
- proof of address
- family details
- medical evidence
- bank statements

If reading is hard, ask someone you trust to help you.

You can also use a ruler or your finger to follow the words.

Entitlement is often checked again and again. This is especially true if your income, home life, health, or place to live changes. You may need to tell someone about changes as soon as you can.

Yes, sometimes.

If you could get the payment before, but did not ask for it straight away, you may still be able to get money for some of the earlier time.

This is called backdating.

It usually only goes back for a short time.

If you need help reading this, ask someone you trust to read it with you. You can also use text-to-speech, which reads the words out loud.

You may be able to ask for a new look at the decision.

You may also be able to appeal the decision.

If you think the decision was wrong, you can send more evidence.

It may help to write down the main points before you do this. A trusted person can also help you read and fill in forms.

Some welfare payments do not have tax on them. Other welfare payments may have tax to pay.

It depends on which benefit you get. It also depends on the tax rules in your country.

Possibly. You may still get help if you live with your family.

But the money your family has may matter. This includes:

- their income
- their savings
- if they help pay for your living costs

To make this easier, try these steps:

- use a benefits checker
- ask a trusted person to help you read the rules
- contact the benefits office and ask for a simple explanation

You should tell us if something changes.

For example:

- you start a new job
- your income changes
- you move home
- you separate from a partner
- you have a new child
- your health changes

These changes can affect the help you get.

It may help to use a simple checklist or ask someone you trust to help you remember important changes.

You can ask your local social services office for help.

You can also ask a welfare agency.

You can use a benefits calculator.

You can also check the official government website.

These places can tell you what support is available where you live.

If it helps, ask someone you trust to help you read the information.