Family & Elderly Benefits: What You're Entitled to in 2026

Child Benefit

Child Benefit is paid to whoever is responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 in approved education or training). From April 2026:

• Eldest or only child: £27.05 per week
• Each additional child: £17.90 per week

Child Benefit is clawed back via the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) if either parent earns over £60,000. The charge equals 1% of the benefit for every £200 of income above £60,000, so it is fully clawed back at £80,000.

Even if you earn over the threshold, it can be worth claiming Child Benefit to protect National Insurance credits and your child's right to a National Insurance number at 16.

Pension Credit

In England, Scotland and Wales, Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age (Northern Ireland has its own Pension Credit service: see nidirect). It tops up your income if it falls below:

• £238/week if you're single
• £363.25/week if you have a partner

Claiming Pension Credit also unlocks other benefits — including help with housing costs, council tax reduction, free TV licence (if over 75), and Winter Fuel Payment. Many eligible pensioners don't claim it — if your income is below the threshold, apply at gov.uk/pension-credit.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is for people over State Pension age who have a disability or illness that means they need help with personal care or supervision. It is not means-tested and can be paid on top of other benefits and savings. In Scotland you apply for Pension Age Disability Payment instead; Northern Ireland has its own way to claim (see nidirect). You must usually have needed help for at least 6 months.

From April 2026:

• Lower rate: £76.70/week — for help needed during the day or night
• Higher rate: £114.60/week — for help needed during both day and night, or if terminally ill

Attendance Allowance can also unlock other benefits and council tax reductions. It does not affect most other benefits.

Carer's Allowance

Carer's Allowance is £86.45/week for people who provide at least 35 hours of care per week to someone in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit (e.g. PIP daily living at standard or enhanced rate, or DLA care component at middle or highest rate).

You must earn no more than £204/week (net of allowable deductions) to qualify. Carer's Allowance can overlap with State Pension and some other benefits — check with Citizens Advice for your specific position as overlapping rules are complex.

Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment

Since winter 2025, Winter Fuel Payment is no longer limited to people on Pension Credit and other benefits. If you were born on or before 27 June 1960 and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you should get £100 to £300 for winter 2026 to 2027 without claiming. If your own total income for the year is over £35,000, HMRC recovers it through the tax system. See our Winter Fuel Payment 2026 post.

In England and Wales, Cold Weather Payments of £25 per 7-day period of very cold weather are still paid automatically to people on certain qualifying benefits when the temperature drops to 0°C or below. In Scotland, Winter Heating Payments are paid instead.

Frequently asked questions