Firstly, check what benefits you may be entitled to.

As well as claiming benefits, there are other ways to increase your income:

Paying their fair share
Make sure that any adult children or other relatives living with you are paying their fair share towards household expenses.

New baby on a low income?
If you have a new baby and are on a low income, you may be entitled to a Sure Start maternity grant.  Find out more on the Directgov website.

Tax Credits are money paid to you if you have children or you are on a low wage. You do not have to be paying tax to receive Tax Credits. Most families with children qualify for Tax Credits.

To find out more about Child Tax Credit visit the Directgov website.

To find out more about Working Tax Credit visit the Directgov website.

You can use this calculator to work out how much Tax Credit you might be able to claim if you have at least one child.

You can find out more information and apply online for Tax Credits on the HM Revenue & Customs website.

Help with NHS charges
Even if you are not exempt from prescription or dental charges, you may be entitled to help with prescription and dental costs if you are on a low income. Find out more on the NHS Low Income Scheme website.

Payment protection insurance
If you have been made redundant or have become ill, check if any loans you have are covered by payment protection insurance. Find out more on the Association of British Insurers website. Some people may have been mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance and may be able to claim their money back. Find out more on the Moneysavingexpert.com website.

Redundancy pay
If you have been made redundant, make sure you receive all the money you are entitled to. Find out more on the Directgov website.

Maintenance for children
Is your ex-partner paying towards the cost of any children you have together, or are they paying enough? Find out more about claiming the maintenance you are entitled to from your ex-partner.

Winter fuel payment
If you are over 60 you are entitled to a winter fuel payment. Find out more on the Directgov website.

Help with Supporting People charges
If you receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, services such as warden intercom and warden visits can be paid for by the Supporting People Fund. Please ask about this at any St. Leger Homes office.

Rent out a room
If you have a spare room, you might be able to rent it out for some extra income. Discuss this first with St. Leger Homes and make sure it will not affect any benefits you are receiving. You can charge rent up to a certain amount tax-free – but check with your local HM Revenue & Customs enquiry centre first.

Local exchange trading schemes
These are local schemes where people 'swap' their skills so lots of people can benefit from different services without paying for them. For example, a glazier might fit a new pane of glass for a hairdresser in exchange for a haircut or two. Find out more information on the UK Local Exchange Trading and Complementary Currencies website.

Going back to work after being unemployed?
Find out what financial help is available on the Directgov website.

Are you a parent going back to work?
Find out more about the financial and other help available if you have children and are going back to work.

Disbaled and want to go back to work?
Find out more about what support and financial help is available.

Lone parent and not working?
Find out about the New Deal for Lone Parents scheme. This voluntary scheme offers you a personal adviser who will help you find a suitable job or training and can work out how much better off you could be in a job. There is extra help with the cost of travel and registered childcare while you're looking for work or training. New deal for Lone Parents is available to all lone parents who are not working, or who are working less than 16 hours per week and whose youngest child is under 16 years old

There are many other New Deal programmes.
Jobcentre Plus offers a number of New Deal opportunities to unemployed people, particularly those who have been unemployed for a long time, people with disabilities and anyone in need of extra help to find work. Find out more on the Directgov website.

It is very important to tell the benefits people straight away about any changes in your circumstances or income.