Living on Benefits?
It can be really hard to solely depend on Universal Credit, so I’ve done some research to find extra perks and discounts that you might not know you’re entitled to.
Here are 12 extras that might help ease your finances:
- Warm Home Discount
Keep your home cosy without burning a hole in your pocket. Qualify for a £150 discount on electricity bills with specific providers. It’s a one-time deduction applied between October and March.
- Free or Cheap Broadband
Stay connected online affordably. Explore social tariffs for discounted or even free broadband from selected providers. Google ‘social tariffs’ online for more details. You can also use comparison websites to find the best price.
- Council Tax Discounts
Explore potential council tax discounts based on your income and location. Provide your details to the council to determine the amount you can save, potentially reaching up to £2,065 annually.
- Energy Bill Help
Various energy suppliers offer bill assistance and grants. British Gas, for instance, provides up to £2,000 through its Individual and Families Fund. Contact your supplier and explore other grants to ease your energy bills.
- Pregnancy Grant
Expecting a baby? Claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant – a £500 one-off payment to support your journey into parenthood. You’ll need a claim form signed off by your midwife.
- Discounted Childcare
Reclaim up to 85% of childcare costs, reaching up to £1,630 for two or more children. Thanks to recent rule changes, there’s no need to pay upfront.
- Water Bill Help
Reduce your water bills with free water-saving devices and potential caps for large families under the WaterSure scheme. Check with your water supplier for available help and visit the SaveWaterSaveMoney website.
- Cheap Travel
Universal Credit claimants enjoy a 50% discount on bus and train fares with the Jobcentre Plus travel card. This is available for the unemployed. Explore other schemes like Restart and the Flexible Support Fund.
- Free Cash for School Uniforms
School uniforms can be pricey. Check with your local authority and claim back up to £580 in some areas.
- Free School Meals
Claim free school meals for your children from year 2 and upwards. Visit the government’s website for more details.
- Help to Save
Maximise your savings with the Help to Save scheme, offering a 50% bonus on your contributions. Save up to £50 per month for 48 months for a potential £1,200 bonus.
- Healthy Start
New or expectant parents on benefits can receive up to £442 worth of free food annually through the Healthy Start scheme. Apply online or by email.
Share this with anyone on Universal Credit to spread the knowledge and help them save some money. If you know of any additional benefits, share them in the comments below the video.
