1. First things to check

• Check that you're getting the right amount from your employment
• Check the national minimum wage calculator
• Check when your employer can make deductions from your pay
• Check you’re paying the right amount of tax
• If you're married and on a low income apply for the marriage allowance
• If you're registered blind apply for blind person’s allowance
• Check if you can get tax relief on things that are essential for your job

2. Check to make sure you’re not one of up to 7m people in the UK missing out on income-related state benefits

• Use a free benefits calculator
• Check the full list of benefits
• Seek advice or help with applications:
• Citizens Advice Shropshire (0808 278 7894) for one-to-one help
• Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin's benefits team on 01743 223123
• A4U (01743 539201) for people with disabilities (particularly autism)

3. If you’re over state pension age check whether you’re eligible for pension credit

• Around a third of eligible pensioners are missing out
• Find out if you’re eligible using the pension credit calculator
• Call (0800 99 1234)
• Pension credit can provide access to help with housing costs, council tax, heating bills and free TV licences
• You may also be eligible for attendance allowance

4. If you're a parent check to see if you can get additional help with costs

• Over a million families are missing out on childcare costs
• See if you can get help with school costs
• Support for lone parents to set up child maintenance (0800 171 2345)

5. If you're struggling with housing costs check if you can get help

• If you pay rent check whether you're entitled to the housing element of universal credit or housing benefit
• Discretionary housing payments may be able to cover a shortfall in your rent for a short-term period
• Get support with mortgage interest - for people entitled to some benefits
• Struggling to pay your mortgage? Find support at MoneyHelper
• Worried about homelessness? Get housing advice
• Contact Shelter
• If you're a social housing tenant, your landlord may be able to help you:
  • Connexus: Financial struggles? We're here to help
  • Star housing: Financial support
  • Homes Plus: Money advice
  • Bromford: Money advice: Saving and budgeting
  • The Wrekin Housing Group: Benefit & money matters advisors
  • Sanctuary Housing - Affordable and social housing

6. Check whether you're eligible for council tax support

7. Check whether you or your family may be entitled to benefits for those experiencing illness or disability

• Personal independence payment (PIP) and disability living allowance (DLA) aren't means-tested. The assessment considers the way that your health conditions affect your daily living and mobility needs
• Receiving these benefits may increase entitlement to other benefits such as council tax support
• Seek advice if you're already claiming a disability benefit such as DLA for adults, as your award will stop if you claim PIP instead
• If you’re too unwell to work, you may be entitled to new-style employment and support allowance and/or universal credit with limited capability for work or work-related activity
• If you require advice and help on any of the above benefits related to autism please contact A4U on 01743 539201
• Grants for people with disabilities
• Advocacy

8. If you're a carer, you may be entitled to carer’s allowance and/or an extra amount called the ‘carer element’ within universal credit

• Visit Carers UK for more information on the help available to carers
• Online support for unpaid carers
• Shropshire carers support