Benefits Check Up 5 mins to get what you're entitled to

2011/12 weekly amount: Your eldest child will get £23.30 and other children £13.40. This has been frozen for the next three years but it is not until 2013 that families with a higher rate tax payer will stop receiving the money.

How to apply: You will usually get an application form in the bounty pack from your midwife or you can download one from HMRC.

They're paid via the tax office and anyone aged over 16 who normally lives in the UK and has children, whether working or not, can apply to get them.

There have been quite a few changes to Tax Credits in 2011. Families with £40,000+ annual incomes will get less credit, while some on lower incomes will see the 'child element' increased by £150. The 'baby element' (extra cash for children under 1) has also been dropped.

For a full and detailed guide to Tax Credits see the Tax Credit guide.

2011/12 weekly amount: The credit is made up of several elements but payments range between £10 and £110 (if you've two kids, more or you've more).

How to apply: Apply online or call 0845 300 3900 (Mon - Fri 8am to 8pm, Sat 8am to 4pm).

2011/12 weekly amount: £14.75 per child

How to apply: Download a form from HMRC.

Statutory Maternity Pay is for those who are pregnant and employed (Adoption Pay has similar rules for those adopting). They are paid for up to 39 weeks whilst you are on leave from work. You must have worked for the same employer for 26 weeks by your qualifying week (the 15th week before the week in which your baby is due).

Paternity Pay is paid by an employer for 2 weeks, usually to the child's father, once the child has been born and has the same 'qualifying rules' as Maternity Pay.

2011/12 weekly amount: £128.73 or 90% of average earnings, whichever is lower. Maternity Pay is higher in the first six weeks if you earn above £143 a week.

How to apply: Payments are made via your employer so speak to your manger or human resources department. For more info on each see the Direct.gov pages for Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay and Statutory Paternity Pay.

It's currently being phased out and it’s no longer possible to apply but students who applied in the 2009/2010 academic year will continue to get the full £30.

A replacement scheme was announced in March 2011 and those currently in their first year of study on EMA will continue to get £20 each week from September 2011 until the end of the 2011/2012 academic year.

From September 2011 only 12,000 students will get direct cash, but many more can apply for travel, equipment and book help via their school/college.

For more info see the EMA replacement fund news story.

2011/12 weekly amount: £20 for existing students.

How to apply: Applications not currently open. Ask your local college what help it plans to provide from Sep 2011.

If you qualify, the government enlists a ‘Registered Social Landlord’ to buy either part or all of your home at an independently assessed price, in order to decrease your monthly payments.

For details see the full Mortgage Arrears Help guide.

2011/12 amount: Level depends on the value of your mortgage.

How to apply: You can either contact your local council directly (search for contact details on Direct.gov or just google "www.yourarea.gov.uk") or be referred by a debt help agency.

From April 2011 this has been restricted to the first child only so you won't be able to apply if you've already got kids under 16.

2011/12 amount: One off £500 payment.

How to apply: You should get the claim form from your midwife or you can download it from Direct.gov.

2011/12 weekly amount: There are some exceptions but it's usually 90% of your average weekly earnings or £128.73, whichever is less.

How to apply: Get a form from your midwife or download it from Direct.gov.

2011/12 weekly amount: A maximum of £100.70.

How to apply: Apply via the Jobcentre or download a claim form from Direct.gov.

They're paid via the tax office and anyone aged over 16 who normally lives in the UK and works over 16 or 30 hours (depending on other circumstances) can apply to get them.

There have been quite a few changes to Tax Credits in 2011. The main one for Working Tax Credit is that help for childcare has dropped from a max 80% of costs to 70% but those with kids could still be eligible for £1,000s in help, see the Childcare Costs guide for full info.

People aged 60 and over are now eligible if they work at least 16 hours a week (rather than 30 hours a week) though. For a full and detailed guide to Tax Credits see the Tax Credit guide.

2011/12 weekly amount: The credit is made up of several elements, and a few have been frozen for three years, but payments could be as much as £90, much more if you pay for childcare.

How to apply: Apply online or call 0845 300 3900 (Mon - Fri 8am to 8pm, Sat 8am to 4pm).

The Job Grant makes a one off payment of £100 if you don't have kids and £250 when you do if you have been claiming benefits for over six months.

The Return to Work Credit gives £40 a week for 52 weeks if you have or had a health problem and go back to work into a low income.

In Work Credit pays lone parents £40 per week (£60 in London) for up to 52 weeks if you have been claiming benefits for over a year.

2011/12 amount: Varies, see above.

How to apply: Job Center Plus can help with each scheme but you will automatically get a Job Grant so long as you qualify and you must claim the In Work Credit before you start work. See more info on Direct.gov.

You can also work less than 16 hours and still claim but it will reduce your payment.

If you're looking for work and are on a low income check the Job Seekers Allowance income based benefit in the Low Income section above.

2011/12 weekly amount: Aged 24 and under £53.45, aged 25 or over £67.50.

How to apply: You can claim online or by phoning 0800 055 6688. See Direct.gov for more info.

2011/12 weekly amount: Single people aged 24 and under £53.45, single people aged 25 or over £67.50, couples and civil partners (both aged 18 or over) £105.95. There are extra amounts if you are disabled, a carer or a pensioner.

How to apply: You can claim online, by phoning 0800 055 6688 or by downloading a form from Direct.gov.

Any savings between £6,000 and £16,000 will reduce the amount you could claim. You can also work less than 16 hours and still claim but it will reduce your payment.

If you're looking for work but are not on a low income check the Job Seekers Allowance contribution based benefit in the work section below.

2011/12 weekly amount: Single people aged 24 and under £53.45, single people aged 25 or over £67.50, couples and civil partners (both aged 18 or over) £105.95. There are extra amounts if you are disabled, a carer or a pensioner.

How to apply: You can claim online or by phoning 0800 055 6688. See Direct.gov for more info.

This is a political hot potato, as a large number of people claim, and there are accusations that some abuse the system but don't let this put you off claiming if you think that you are entitled to it.

The assessment (there are some groups that do not need to take this, eg, you are terminally ill) looks at a series of activities and you are given points. If your total reaches at least 15 then you are assessed as having a limited capability for work.

The rules are slighlt different for the under 20s (or under 25s in education).

If you are unable to work but are not on a low income check the Employment Support Allowance contribution based benefit in the Health section below.

2011/12 weekly amount: Aged 24 or under £53.45, aged 25 or over £67.50.

How to apply: You can claim online, by phoning 0800 055 6688 or by downloading a form from Direct.gov.

There are two types, guarantee credit, which tops up income for those on low amounts (savings over £10,000 may reduce the amounts), and savings credit, only for those over 65 who have put aside some savings.

For more info see the State Pension guide.

2011/12 weekly amount: The guarantee credit will top up any pension to £137.35 for a single person and £209.70 for a couple. Savings credit pays an extra £20.52 (single) or £27.09 (couples). There are extra amounts if you are disabled or a carer.

How to apply: Call the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234 or download an application form from Direct.gov.

If you're eligible you may also be able to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment. Each council has a set budget although guidelines vary from place to place.

Also see the Council Tax reclaiming guide to see if you're in the right band.

2011/12 weekly amount: Depends on your council tax but the average cost is around £25. You could receive all or part of your bill depending on your income.

How to apply: Depending on your circumstances, either via the Jobcentre if you're looking for work, the Pensions Service if you're getting Pension Credit or your local council if neither of the above. More info on Direct.gov.

Meals and milk: You can get £340 per year for each school aged child to pay for school lunches and if your council provides free milk, getting free meals makes you eligible for this too.

Uniforms: Some local councils also help with the cost of school clothing and footwear (maybe offering around £30 for primary and £80 for secondary school gear).

Fruit and Veg: Healthy Start is scheme that gives £3.10/week in vouchers if you're pregnant or have kids under four (£6.20/week for babies under 1) to buy milk and fresh or frozen fruit and veg. The vouchers can be redeemed at most big supermarkets as well as some corner shops, green grocers and market stalls. See more info on Healthy Start.

2011/12 amount: Varies, see above.

How to apply: You apply for meals/uniforms via your local school or council. Search for contact details for your local council on Direct.gov or just google "www.yourarea.gov.uk". Healthy Start applications can be made online or by calling 0845 607 6823.

If you're eligible, after 13 weeks of claiming certain benefits, the government steps in and makes the interest payments on the first £200,000 of your outstanding mortgage for the time you can’t afford them. Yet the level of interest is set by the government, currently 3.63%; your specific rate isn’t used.

As this only pays the interest, you'll need to cover the rest of the money yourself or temporarily see if you can switch to an interest-only mortgage.

See the Mortgage Arrears Help guide for more info.

2011/12 amount: Varies depending on your mortgage but the max payout is around £140.

How to apply: Depending on your circumstances, either via the Jobcentre or Pensions Service if you're getting Pension Credit.

It can help pay for certain items or expenses that you cannot afford to pay out of your normal income such as furniture, travel or removal costs.

Savings over £500 or £1,000 depending on your age will affect any payments but you don't have to pay the money back. Demand can be high and for some there isn't a bottomless allocation of money, so your circumstances may mean you're not eligible. If you think you qualify do apply though.

2011/12 amount: Various, depends on funds available from your local council.

How to apply: Download a claim form from Direct.gov.

Savings over £1,000 (or £2,000 if over 60) will affect any payments and the money needs to be paid back over two years.

2011/12 amount: You can apply to borrow from £100 to £1,500 depending on the urgency of your situation.

How to apply: Apply via the Jobcentre or download a claim form from Direct.gov.

2011/12 amount: Up to £700 is available but you may have to pay some of it back.

How to apply: Apply via the Jobcentre or download a claim form from Direct.gov.

You used to be able to apply for help to buy white goods and furniture but this is no longer possible.

The loan is usually paid back directly from your benefits if you receive them.

2011/12 amount: Various, depends on funds available from your local council and your situation but you can only apply a max of three times a year.

How to apply: Telephone the Jobcentre on 0800 032 7952 or download a claim form from Direct.gov.

They are automatically paid if the average temperature where you live is recorded as, or is forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over seven consecutive days between November and March.

Around four million people are potentially eligible, more than two million of whom are pensioners who receive the pension credit.

2011/12 weekly amount: £25 for each week of cold weather.

How to apply: If you are eligible you’ll be paid automatically. More info on Direct.gov.

You'll need to provide full details of how you need help eg, toileting, dressing, washing, eating or supervision to avoid harm to yourself and others but it can help with physical (including sensory, such as blindness), mental (including learning difficulties), or both.

Some will be asked to attend a medical examination to show what help you need.

2011/12 weekly amount: There are two rates, low at £49.30 and high at £73.60.

How to apply: You can claim online, by phoning 0800 88 22 00 or by downloading a form from Direct.gov.

Help with your care spans from preparing a cooked meal to frequent help with personal care issues such as toileting, dressing, washing, eating and supervision to avoid harm to themselves and others.

Mobility help includes support when walking outdoors, being unable or virtually unable to walk, being both deaf and blind or you are severely mentally impaired. Since 2011 it's now open to those with a severe visual impairment as well.

2011/12 weekly amount: There are two components made up of various levels: Care (low £19.55, middle £49.30 and high £73.60); Mobility (low £19.55 and high £51.40).

How to apply: You can claim online, by phoning 0800 88 22 00 or by downloading a form from Direct.gov.

You can continue to work, as long as you don't earn over £100 a week, or study, as long as it's less than 21 hours.

2011/12 weekly amount: £55.55

How to apply: If you live in England, Scotland or Wales you can claim online., Alternatively call 0800 88 22 00 or download a form from Direct.gov. If you live in Northern Ireland see nidirect.

This replaced Incapacity Benefit in 2008 (which some people will still be getting). Both are political hot potatoes, as a large number of people claim, and there are accusations that some abuse the system but don’t let this put you off claiming if you think that you are entitled.

The assessment (there are some groups that do not need to take this, eg, you are terminally ill) looks at a series of activities and you are given points. If your total reaches at least 15 then you are assessed as having a limited capability for work.

The rules are slighlt different for the under 20s (or under 25s in education).

If you are unable to work and are on a low income check the Employment Support Allowance income based benefit in the Low Income section above.

2011/12 weekly amount: Aged 24 or under £53.45, aged 25 or over £67.50. Extra may be available if you are disabled. If you're still on the long term rate of Incapacity Benefit it's £94.25.

How to apply: You can claim online, by phoning 0800 055 6688 or by downloading a form from Direct.gov.

Many employers will have a contractual agreement to pay more, in which case you do not need to claim the benefit, but this is the minimum you will get.

2011/12 weekly amount: £81.60

How to apply: If you need to claim speak to your employer or download a form from Direct.gov.

For a full guide on how the pension works, and whether it's worth paying to boost the amount you get (including a unique calculator), read the State Pension Boosting guide.

2011/12 weekly amount: £102.15 for a single person and £163.35 for a couple if you have built up the full amount of national insurance contributions (usually between 30 and 44 years depending on your sex and age).

How to apply: You should automatically receive a claim form four months prior to reaching state pensionable age. If you have not call 0800 731 7898 or download a form from Direct.gov.

2011/12 weekly amount: Between £30.21 and £100.70 depending on your age.

How to apply: Apply via the Jobcentre or download a claim form from Direct.gov.

2011/12 amount: One-off payment of £2,000.

How to apply: Apply via the Jobcentre or download a claim form from Direct.gov.

2011/12 amount: It's £200 for households with someone aged up to 79, or £300 for households with someone aged 80 or above.

How to apply: The claim form for winter 2011/12 will be available from mid August 2011 on Direct.gov or you can call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 0845 9 15 15 15.