Universal credit

BRITS struggling with the cost of living can now find out what benefits they're entitled to - and it only takes a few minutes. The government has introduced a new benefits checker tool which helps people find the financial support they need like Universal Credit. Since the cost of living soared this winter , costs of bills are now rising to an eye-watering £2,800 . The new benefit checker tool is free to use on the gov.uk website and you only have to answer a few questions. The information you'll need to have ready includes how much income you and your family earn, if any, and if there are any disabilities within your household. You'll also be asked how old your children are and whether you're caring for someone with a disability or health condition. READ MORE SUN STORIES CASH BOOST Universal Credit: Brits to get £1,200 grant - how to check if you're eligible EXTRA CASH Full list of benefits getting £650 … [Read more...] about New tool shows help you can get including Universal Credit and child benefit

Cost of living: People 'queueing at pawnbrokers' says Vine Get pensions news and advice plus latest money alerts for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Millions of people depend on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits to help them pay energy bills and put food on the table. With the cost of everyday items continuing to rise, many will be desperate for this extra financial help. Related articles State pension income tax shock – triple lock hike tax trap Cash machine scam warning issued by police - drained bank accounts READ MORE ‘Abolish licence fee!’ Furious viewers urge TV licence to be scrapped As the cost of living crisis continues to make life tough … [Read more...] about Universal Credit recipients will get one-off £650 – date of first payment confirmed by DWP

Rishi Sunak baffles MP with claims Universal Credit is 'generous' Get pensions news and advice plus latest money alerts for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info As people struggle to meet the cost of living amid rising inflation and soaring energy bills, Britons are being urged not to suffer in silence. Millions of people on certain benefits could be making savings on things like NHS prescriptions. Related articles State pension income tax shock – triple lock hike tax trap Cash machine scam warning issued by police - drained bank accounts Claimants could be eligible if they receive Universal Credit and either had no earnings or had net earnings of £435 or less in their last assessment … [Read more...] about Universal Credit claimants could get free prescriptions – are you eligible?

Rishi Sunak baffles MP with claims Universal Credit is 'generous' Get pensions news and advice plus latest money alerts for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info June 2 and 3 have been set aside as bank holidays, as the country prepares to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee . Because of this, benefit payments due on these dates will temporarily be paid on different dates. Related articles Pensioner 1.25% National Insurance levy may be hiked to 13.25% Universal Credit: Claimants could get thousands more in 'freebies' The Platinum Jubilee marks 70 years on the throne for Queen Elizabeth II, making her the first monarch in UK history to celebrate this anniversary. The momentous occasion … [Read more...] about Universal Credit payment date changes take place next month – check if you’re affected

THOUSANDS of families are set to lose cash from their Universal Credit and benefit payments, experts have warned. Another 35,000 will fall under the benefit cap in the coming year, limiting the amount they can get. That's according to analysis by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and is on top of the 120,000 households already affected by the rules on how much people can claim. The benefit cap is set at £20,000 a year for families, or £23,000 in London. For individuals the limit is £13,400 a year or £15,410 for those living in the capital. Universal Credit counts towards the cap, along with other benefits like child benefit, housing benefit and jobseekers allowance. Read more on benefits PAY DELAY Millions on Universal Credit face longer wait for £650 cost of living payment HELPING HAND Free cash worth up to £7,248 on benefits including £650 cost of living payment There are some exemptions when … [Read more...] about Benefit warning as cap could hit thousands of Universal Credit payments – are you affected?

UNIVERSAL Credit claimants will have to work longer hours or meet with their work coach under new rules revealed today. Currently anyone on the benefit and working nine hours or more does not need to attend regular appointments at the Job Centre. But that is set to rise to 12 hours, the government has confirmed, in the latest change to Universal Credit rules. Work and pensions minister Therese Coffey said in an interview with the Telegraph the change will come in "soon" - but stopped short of setting a date. She said : “Once you get a job, if you’re working fewer than the equivalent of nine hours a week, we still expect you to be coming in and looking for work. "We’re going to be raising that, I hope, very soon." Read more on benefits PAY STOP Benefit warning as cap could hit thousands of Universal Credit payments HELPING HAND Free cash worth up to £2,050 if you DON’T qualify for cost of living payment … [Read more...] about Major change to Universal Credit coming ‘soon’ – how to avoid benefits being STOPPED

Martin Lewis on broadband deals for universal credit claimants Get pensions news and advice plus latest money alerts for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Financial help like tax credits and Universal Credit often act as gateway benefits to additional support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) . But millions of Britons are missing out. Related articles 'I never thought I’d be so poor’ Pensioner shares money saving tips State pension alert as some may get ‘higher’ sum than full new amount As the cost of food, petrol and energy bills continues to take its toll on the nation’s finances, people are being encouraged to make sure they are receiving all the financial help … [Read more...] about Universal Credit: Claimants could get thousands more in ‘freebies’ and extra support

MILLIONS of households claiming Universal Credit or other benefits will see a change to their payments next month. Many will see more cash than usual land in their accounts when the first instalment of the £650 cost-of-living payment is made in July, benefits expert Lee Healey said. The measure is part of a bumper £15billion energy bill package of support unveiled by Chancellor Rishi Sunak last month . It's just one of a series of payments struggling households may be able to get - including a £400 energy bill grant and a £300 winter fuel discount. Eight million are in line for the £650 cost-of-living payment, which will be paid in two instalments this year. It will be given to those on mean-tested benefits including: Universal Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income support, Pension Credit, working tax credit and child tax credit. Read more in Money PAY DAY … [Read more...] about I’m a Universal Credit expert – here’s why your payments will change in July

Thérèse Coffey grilled on ending benefit cap 'grace period' Get pensions news and advice plus latest money alerts for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Universal Credit is designed to help households who are either on a low income or are out of work entirely, and therefore the financial support is particularly important. Indeed, throughout the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, many turned to Universal Credit for help, after facing challenging circumstances. But as the country draws closer to Christmas, thousands of households are also coming to the end of their benefit cap grace period. Trending READ MORE Premium Bonds: NS&I’s changes to payment process come into force This, MPs raised, … [Read more...] about Universal Credit UK: 160,000 households could see benefits capped this month

Universal Credit: Five week wait ‘was not my plan’ says IDS Get pensions news and advice plus latest money alerts for FREE now SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Universal Credit is currently issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) which oversees the payment and claimants. Britons are able to receive the benefit if they are on low income, or have found themselves out of work. In order to be eligible, one must be at least 18, but under State Pension age, and have £16,000 or less in savings. Trending READ MORE Universal Credit UK: Benefit system coped well under lockdown pressure Universal Credit is usually paid monthly straight into the chosen account of a claimant. But for those … [Read more...] about Universal Credit UK: Britons may be able to skip the five-week wait in this circumstance