About us
Benefits explained clearly, checked against the official source
Benefits Guidance is an independent website that turns official benefit rules into plain English, so people can understand what they can claim and how to do it with confidence.
What we are, and what we are not
We do
- Explain who can get each benefit, how much it pays and how to claim.
- Show the official source and the date we last checked it.
- Offer free tools to estimate, plan and prepare a claim.
- Point you to free, independent advice when you need a person.
We do not
- Work for the government, DWP or HMRC.
- Make decisions about your claim or take applications.
- Ask for your National Insurance number, bank or login details.
- Give legal or financial advice for your individual case.
Beware of scams. No genuine benefits service will ask you to pay a fee to claim. Always apply through GOV.UK or the official service for your nation.
How we check our facts
Every guide follows the same five steps before it is published, and again whenever the rules change.
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Find the official source
Rates and rules come from GOV.UK, DWP, HMRC and the law itself.
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Write it plainly
Short sentences, everyday words and real examples.
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Second check
A different editor checks every figure against the source.
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Publish with dates
Each page shows its sources and when it was last checked.
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Re-check on change
We review pages at every uprating and when rules change.
Our review calendar — when we check every rate on the site
Our principles
Accurate
If we are not sure, we say so and link to the source.
Plain English
Written for a reading age of about 9, tested with real users.
Accessible
Built to meet WCAG 2.2 AA, and works with screen readers.
Private
Our tools run in your browser. Nothing you type is stored.
One guide, many countries
We start with the UK. Each new country gets its own pages and structure, built around how its benefit system really works.
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Live Where our information comes from
We only use primary official sources for rates and rules. Charities help us explain how things work in practice.
| Source | What we use it for | Type |
|---|---|---|
| GOV.UK | Eligibility, how to claim, official guidance | Official |
| DWP benefit and pension rates | Yearly rates for DWP benefits | Official |
| HMRC | Child Benefit and Guardian's Allowance | Official |
| legislation.gov.uk | The law behind each benefit | Official |
| Social Security Scotland | Scottish benefits and payments | Official |
| nidirect | Benefits in Northern Ireland | Official |
| Citizens Advice | How claims work in practice | Charity |
Common questions about us
Are you part of the government?
No. Benefits Guidance is independent. We explain official information, but we cannot see or change your claim. To apply, always use GOV.UK or your nation's official service.
How up to date is the information?
Every page shows the date it was last checked. Rates are updated each April when DWP and HMRC publish the new year's figures. We aim to check pages at least every 90 days.
Do you store what I type into your tools?
No. All calculations run in your browser. Nothing you type is sent to our servers, stored or shared. Tools work without an account or login.
How is the site paid for?
We are exploring grants, foundation funding and partnership licensing with housing associations and councils. We may show display advertising with strict category blocking — no payday loans, debt management or gambling.
Can I use your content on my own website?
Our text is original editorial work and is copyright. Rate data and rules come from official sources published under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contact us to discuss partnership or white-label use.
Spotted a mistake?
Tell us and we'll check it against the official source. We aim to reply within 5 working days.
Need help with your own claim? For that, contact Citizens Advice .