Call for more tax credits clarity
Some people are missing out on backdated working tax credit payments to which they are entitled, says a campaign group.

Benefits plan to 'make work pay'
Changes to benefits are needed to get 600,000 more people into work, says a think tank set up by Iain Duncan Smith.

Rich and poor gap 'remains high'
The gap between the rich and poor in the UK remained at a high level in 2007-8, according to official statistics.

What are your rights as a parent?
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber explains the key benefits available for parents.

Dealing with tax credit overpayments
An expert explains the options for people who have been overpaid tax credits by the government.

Child benefit explained
Child benefit is one of the few non-means tested benefits left. BBC News explains how it could help you.

Student fees and loans
Your guide to the state of play in the political row over "top-up" fees.

Battling bills - what help is there?
A guide to the help available to those struggling to pay their fuel bills this winter.

Q&A: Tax credits
How do the Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit actually work?

Pension Credit guide
As part of its understanding pensions series, the BBC News website offers a brief guide to the new Pension Credit.

Education maintenance allowance
How a scheme to pay 16 to 18-year-olds to stay in education operates.

Paying for funeral costs?
An expert explains the costs and planning involved in organising a funeral.

Insurers 'could provide welfare'
Insurers rather than the government could provide benefits such as sick leave, a report suggests.

Fraud warning on tax credit date
A wave of bogus e-mails is targeting people aiming to meet Friday's tax credit renewal deadline, says Equifax.

Wrong benefit payments continue
The level of fraud and mistakes in the benefit system remains largely unchanged, says the Department of Work & Pensions.

Billions in benefits go unclaimed
Up to £10.5bn in income-related benefits went unclaimed in Britain in 2007-8, government figures reveal, a rise from a year earlier.

Problems hit student loans system
Problems in the student loans system are being monitored closely, as administrators struggle to deal with a record number of applications.

Call to simplify benefits claims
The benefits and tax credits system is too complex and needs radical reform, says the Centre for Policy Studies.

Dads 'lose out' on parent leave
The system of maternity and paternity leave is unfair to poorer mothers, detrimental to fathers and bad for the economy, a think-tank argues.

Benefit errors 'can be recouped'
The government is entitled to take legal action to recover social security benefits it paid "by mistake", a judge rules.

Child poverty duty to become law
Ministers are making it a legal duty for the government, councils and other organisations to end child poverty.

Vacation illness
Getting sick between booking and taking holidays

Care fees
Claiming the funds to which you are entitled

Benefits loophole
One self-employed businessman's story of missing out

What is poor?
How do we measure poverty in a downturn

Recession rescue
Where to go for help in the downturn

Life costs
The price of a minimum standard of living