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Macmillan and Cancerbackup merged in 2008. Together we provide free, high quality information for people affected by cancer through our publications, website and phone service. Find out more|.
Find out how we produce our information|
Find out how the benefits system works in the UK and who to turn to for guidance and information. You could also enrol in the free Benefits awareness course, available on the Learn Zone| or order our quick guide to benefits from our be.Macmillan website|.
This video explains how we can help you to understand the benefits system. The information in this video was correct as of 1 December 2010.
Tell us what you think of our videos |to help us improve what we do.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) delivers its services through Jobcentre Plus, the Disability and Carers Service and the Pension Service.
A lot of information about benefits and Jobcentre Plus employment services is available on the Directgov| website. The ‘Money, Tax and Benefits|' and ‘Employment|’ sections are good places to start. You can also contact the Department for Work and Pensions| agencies for help with other enquiries.
Jobcentre Plus| helps people of working age find jobs and helps employers fill their vacancies. It also manages a number of benefits including Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, bereavement benefits and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
The Disability and Carers Service| provides financial support to people claiming disability benefits and their carers. It manages benefits such as Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carer’s Allowance.
The Pension Service| provides people with retirement information, State Pension and Pension Credit. It has a network of pension centres in England, Scotland and Wales.
The Social Security Agency (SSA)| is responsible for benefits in Northern Ireland. It has different offices that handle these benefits, including Social Security or Jobs and Benefits offices, the Disability and Carers Service, and the Pension Service.
You can use Jobs and Benefits offices| to find work, claim benefits, or both. These offices are gradually replacing Jobcentres and Social Security offices. Your local Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office will be listed in the phone book under government or Social Security Agency, or visit nidirect.gov| for details.
The Disability and Carers Service| is the agency for people with a disability and their carers. It manages Disability Living Allowance|, Attendance Allowance| and Carer’s Allowance|. You can also contact the service locally through any Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office. The service deals with both new and existing claims.
The Pension Service| looks after the benefit needs of people of pension age|, as well as those planning for their pension or nearing retirement. You can contact the Pension Service if you have questions about your State Pension or want to claim benefits that are relevant to people of pension age, such as Pension Credit|. The Pension Service can arrange a home visit or for you to visit your local Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office if your query can’t be dealt with over the phone.
Benefits available from the Department for Work and Pensions can be contributory or non-contributory, and means-tested or non means-tested.
These depend on your income and savings, and those of your partner. These are always non-contributory.
Non means-tested benefits can be either contributory or non-contributory.
These are based on the level of national insurance contributions you have made.
You can claim these even if you haven’t paid national insurance contributions.
The DWP produces leaflets that give more detail on specific benefits mentioned in this guide. These include:
It also has a variety of basic information leaflets about support services available to you. These include a guide on going into hospital, which gives information on what happens to your benefits and pension.
You can download these leaflets from Department for Work and Pensions| website. You can also ask for copies at your local Jobcentre.
Help is also available from other organisations. These include your local authority (council) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)|. HMRC helps people with targeted financial support, such as tax credits. Your local authority is responsible for certain financial help, such as Housing Benefit.
You may find it useful to read the following guides produced by the Social Security Agency:
You can ask for the leaflets at your local Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office, or download them from the nidirect website|.
You can also get help from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive| and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)|. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is responsible for certain financial help, such as Housing Benefit. HMRC helps people with targeted financial support, such as tax credits.
People who have come from other countries to live or work in the UK, or as asylum seekers or refugees, may not be eligible to claim certain state benefits.
The rules are complex. Independent legal and benefits advice is available from Law Centres|, Citizens Advice| or other advice agencies that specialise in immigration issues.
For answers, support or just a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line free (Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm)
If you have any questions about cancer, need support or just want someone to talk to, ask Macmillan.
Talk to a benefits adviser in your area, find out if you are eligible for benefits or grants or ask Macmillan about money worries.
Order a range of financial information publications in other formats from our Be.Macmillan site.
Proposed changes to the benefits system could leave thousands of people living with cancer without vital financial support when they need it most - for some, pushing them into poverty. We're campaigning for a better deal for people affected by cancer.