Welfare Benefits Handbook, 2025/26

The structure of this edition reflects that, in 2025/26, income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance and tax credits are due to be fully replaced by universal credit. It covers transitional protection for people who get less money on universal credit and the special rules for pensioners who were getting tax credits.

Written by a team of over 20 experts, our flagship handbook is an essential guide to navigating the social security system. It equips you with the knowledge to maximise your clients' income, conduct thorough benefits checks, assist with claims, and confidently handle challenges when things go wrong.

For over 50 years, the Welfare Benefits Handbook has been the unrivalled resource for benefits advisers.

Fully indexed, for ease of use and cross-referenced to law, regulations, and official guidance, and to court and tribunal decisions.

What's new?

• The 2025/26 benefit and statutory payment rates
• Neonatal care pay – a new payment for parents whose babies have to stay in hospital after birth
• Three new Scottish benefits: pension age disability payment, Scottish adult disability living allowance and pension age heating payment
  

Updates to this edition

• Added information to help you work out who is entitled to pension credit. Plus extra information about calculating pension credit.
• Expanded information on who is entitled to savings credit (part of pension credit which some older pensioners can still get). Now that winter fuel payments are means-tested, this information is really important as even a small amount of pension credit ‘passports’ people to this, and other, extra help.
• Updated information on help with childcare costs in universal credit.
• The treatment of cryptocurrencies and social media income.
• The latest rules about the universal credit work-related requirements.
• Updated information on managed migration to universal credit and on the transitional element.
• Details on dealing with tax credit overpayments after the ending of the tax credits system.
• New PIP caselaw references added, especially regarding aids and assistance and how completing an activity in pain is probably not to an acceptable standard.
• Updated information about the PIP claims and assessment process.