Struggling households could get free cash subsidies to help cover living costs through a little-known tool.

It contains a database of around 1,400 grants and support schemes and simplifies the process of checking your eligibility.

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There are around 8,000 charities and organizations in Britain offering cash to help struggling families. These can be searched using the Turn2us Grants Search tool.

Not all subsidies have to be repaid. The tool searches the subsidies and lets you know if you qualify.

Each grant is different, but they can provide support for a range of different necessities, such as groceries and even kitchen appliances.

Other grants have specific requirements for spending. For example, a business grant must be spent on business expenses.

Similarly, an education grant may need to be spent on education or training costs.

One grant user who used the tool said after finding out he was eligible for a £1,000 grocery grant, he used it to cover the costs of a move.

They said: “It was a huge help at a difficult time for me.”

Christelle Tambi, product owner of the Grants Search tool at Turn2us, said: “Anyone can qualify for a grant from a charity that could provide some vital extra cash.

“The amount can range from £100 to £2,000 depending on what you need it for.

“Our free online Grants Search tool makes it easy to find out.”

“Answer a few quick questions about your situation and discover grants from UK charities in minutes. “

How to use the grant search function

First go to the Turn2us website (grants-search.turn2us.org.uk).

Then simply search for what is available specifically in your area by entering your zip code.

You will then be asked to provide details about yourself, such as your name and gender.

You can also go deeper by telling Turn2Us about your current health and work situation.

Once you have found a grant you think you qualify for, you can apply through Turn2Us.

You must be logged into your Turn2Us account to register. If you don’t have one, you can sign up for free.

Each fund has a different time frame. This can vary from five days to three months.

If you are successful, you are usually allowed to spend the money on whatever you want, but cash is usually provided for essentials and bills.

Meanwhile, others are provided to help pay for white goods, which can come in handy if your fridge or freezer breaks down.

Who can submit an application?

Anyone can apply for a grant and many charities help people who cannot claim benefits due to their status in Britain.

Although it is not guaranteed that you will receive a subsidy.

Claiming benefits does not affect your right to apply.

What other grant tools can I use?

There are some other search tools you can use to find grants you may qualify for.

The government website has a grant search function with more than 100 government grant funds.

You can find the tool by searching the government website for ‘find a subsidy’.

Get Grants Funding Finder is a free resource for grant fundraisers with information about hundreds of grant funders, including what they fund, how much they give, and how to apply.

The grants are divided into twelve groups: arts and heritage, capital, children and young people, community, disability, education and employability, environment and animals, faith, health and wellbeing, school, sport and honorable groups.

What other support is available?

Councils in England are still providing support through the Household Support Fund, which is worth £842 million.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt also expanded the Household Support Fund (HSF) for the fifth time, adding a further £500m to the pot.

What you are entitled to depends on where you live. Each local authority sets its own participation criteria.

If you have a disability and are working, you may be eligible for a grant worth up to €66,000.

The grants are available through the government’s Access to Work programme, which is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

It may seem obvious, but you should check to see if you can qualify for benefits if you haven’t already done so.

The latest research from analytics firm Policy in Practice shows billions in benefits are going unclaimed, including £7.5 billion in Universal Credit.

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is available to new or expectant mothers and is worth up to £1,000.

The money is intended to cover the costs of having a child and for those receiving certain benefits, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit.

A total of three million people are eligible for the Warm Home Discount this winter, with most receiving the £150 payment automatically.

But there are those who need to apply before the March 31 deadline.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

You can also become a member of our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.

ALMOST 100,000 households have received an average of £5,900 after receiving an underpaid state pension.

The government has identified 97,016 people who missed out on a total of £571.6 million in payments in 1985.

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The underpayments were caused by a combination of old, complex AOW rules and IT errors.

The government is now going through the process of ensuring that those affected, an estimated 237,000, get back the money they should have received.

A number of groups of retirees are affected, including women who retired under the old state pension system.

Many of these women did not receive the benefits they were entitled to under their husband’s national insurance schemes.

Others did not receive the support they qualified for when their spouses died.

Helen Morrisey, head of pensions analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “Progress is being made to correct the widespread problem of state pension underpayments, but it is very slow.

‘Just over £571 million has been returned to date, but with estimates suggesting the scale of underpayments could be around £1.5 billion, there is still a long way to go.

“People have the expectation that the AOW amount they receive is correct, but a series of errors in an already overly complex system means that this expectation has proven to be incorrect for many thousands of people.”

The latest figures from the DWP show that 21,175 widowed women have been underpaid in their state pension, receiving an average refund of £12,486.

Meanwhile, 32,474 over-80s have received an average of £2,192 and 43,367 married pensioners received £5,713.

This compares with a total of 82,323 pensioners who had received compensation up to November last year.

According to the DWP, just over 50,000 people had received a total of £324 million by the end of March 2023.

A DWP spokesperson said: “The action we are taking now is to correct historic underpayments by successive governments.

“Our priority is to ensure that pensioners receive the financial support they are entitled to and we have put in place a dedicated team and committed significant resources to completing the correction.”

Who is affected?

About 237,000 retired stay-at-home mothers may have missed out on the correct state pension amounts.

The list of people who are underpaid is broad, but falls roughly into three categories.

First of all, this concerns married women who reached state pension age before April 2016, while their husbands were 65 years or older on or after March 17, 2008.

In second place are widows whose state pensions did not increase when their husbands died.

In third place are women aged 80 or over who receive £80.45 or less per week in state pension.

What can I do about it?

You can go straight to the DWP and ask if you are affected, but there are online resources and advice sites that can help you.

An online tool launched by former Pensions Secretary Steve Webb on behalf of actuarial company LCP can help married women check whether they may be affected.

If you use the LCP calculator and think you are eligible for a top-up, the DWP should also notice the error and contact you.

The DWP began resolving the issue on January 11, 2021 and is working to provide compensation to those affected.

If you owe money, you will probably have to wait for the DWP to send you a letter confirming your payment.

Those considered ‘high risk’, such as people over 80 and widows, will be given priority.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing squeezeteam@thesun.co.uk.

Moreover, you can join us Sun Money chats and tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.

A TV and broadband expert has shared his ‘no-brainer’ TV licensing trick that could save you £169 a year.

The cost of a TV license is set to rise in the coming weeks, so you may want to check now if you can save some money.

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Struggling households could save on the cost of a TV license through a little-known rule.

We spoke to Nick Baker, broadband and TV expert at Uswitch, who revealed his useful tip that could bring you valuable savings in 2024.

To legally watch or record live TV in Britain, you need a TV license, which currently costs £159 per year.

However, from April 1, the price will rise to £169, so it’s worth finding out if you can be exempt from the payment.

Nick said: “There are a few exceptions when it comes to who has to pay for a TV licence.

“Under current rules, those over the age of 75 who receive a pension credit are eligible for a free license.”

Nick added that for people in this situation, applying for this is a “no-brainer” and could provide you with a useful savings boost.

You can request the discount on the TV license website or by calling 0300 790 6117.

In the meantime, we will explain to you in detail what Pension Credit is and how you can apply for it.

What is pension credit?

Pension credit is available to people over 75 years of age.

The benefit tops up state pension payments of up to £201 per week – and is paid to those who have reached state pension age (66) and are on a low income.

Surprisingly, an estimated 850,000 eligible households are not claiming the benefit.

Depending on your circumstances, you can receive different amounts of pension credit.

It consists of two parts and retirees can qualify for one or both parts:

• Guarantee credit – supplements your weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level. This is £201.05 per week if you are single and £306.85 per week for married couples.
• Savings credit – offers extra money if you have saved money for your pension. You can get an extra £15.94 per week for a single person or £17.84 per week for a married couple.

These figures will increase from £201.05 per week to £218.15 or for couples, from £306.85 to £332.95.

If you receive the savings credit part of the pension credit, this will increase from £15.94 per week to £17.01 or for couples, from £17.84 to £19.04.

You can also receive an additional pension discount if you are disabled, have caring responsibilities or have to pay certain housing costs, such as mortgage interest.

For example, you could get €72.31 per week or €61.88 per week for each child or young person you are responsible for.

If you have a serious disability, you can receive an extra €76.40 per week. If you care for another adult, you can get an extra €52.75 per week.

To be eligible, you must live in England, Scotland or Wales and be of state pension age.

But you must also have an income that is so low that it must be supplemented with Pension Credit.

Your income is calculated on the basis of your AOW benefit, other pensions, your income from work and self-employment and certain social security benefits, including the informal care allowance.

But not all benefits are counted as income, including:

• Adult Disability Payment
• Attendance allowance
• Christmas bonus
• Child benefits
• Housing benefit for the disabled
• Personal Independence Payment
• social fund payments such as winter fuel surcharge
• Housing benefit
• Municipal tax reduction

How do I register?

You can apply for a Pension Credit up to four months before reaching the state pension age.

Crucially, you can claim at any time after reaching state pension age, but your claim can only be made backdated by three months.

This means you can get up to three months of benefits with your first payment if you were eligible during that period.

But if you go further, you won’t get more than three months’ back payments.

With your application you will need a number of personal information, including your citizen service number and information about your income, savings and investments.

When it comes to actually applying, you can do this online on the government website.

You can also apply by telephone on 0800 991 234 or by post. The address to send your claim form to is:

The Pension Service 8
Mail processing location B
Wolverhampton
WV99 1AN

What other benefits can I get on Pension Credit?

In addition to a free TV license for the over-75s, claiming Pension Credit can result in a whole host of other discounts and freebies.

If you claim it, you may be able to get help with housing benefit, if you have a rental property, and a discount on council tax.

This also makes you eligible for living expenses payments and the Warm Home Discount scheme.

You will find more information about Pension Credit and how to apply for it in our guide.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.

Moreover, you can join us Sun Money chats and tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.

A major high street lender has introduced a huge rule change to help Universal Credit households get onto the property ladder.

Santander now accepts Universal Credit payments as a secondary income for mortgage affordability.

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Universal Credit is a social security scheme designed to combine several of the old “legacy benefits” into a single monthly payment.

Mortgage experts have described the change, which came into effect this week, as ‘good news’ for low-income households, who may find it difficult to get a mortgage.

Prospective buyers looking to borrow from Santander will need to prove they have a primary source of income in addition to their Universal Credit entitlement.

This can be done through a job or as a self-employed person.

This information must be clearly stated in the Universal Credit award letter and you must have been making a claim for six months.

Hopeful homeowners claiming Universal Credit may find it difficult to get a mortgage, but it’s not impossible.

Some banks refuse to grant loans to benefit recipients, but others will consider your application.

Eligibility varies depending on the bank, and some will accept your application depending on your financial circumstances.

That’s because they’re concerned about a borrower’s ability to repay their mortgage.

Karen Noye, a mortgage expert at asset management company Quilter, said: ‘Lenders offering additional income, such as Universal Credit, are good news for low-income households, especially where the low income is due to having a young family and more of a is a short-term measure. rather than in the long term.

“Different lenders have different criteria regarding additional income. Some will only accept it if it is guaranteed for the life of the mortgage, while others will consider it if it is likely to last at least another five years.”

HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Natwest, Barclays and Nationwide will consider mortgage applications from benefit claimants, including those on Universal Credit.

While Metro Bank only accepts Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and State Pension as income.

DLA and PIP are available for people who have additional care or mobility needs due to a disability or health condition.

Whether your application is successful depends on whether you have any other income or assets and on the benefits.

You must demonstrate that you can keep up with the repayments.

Some banks will include specific conditions in their offer, for example that you may only use a certain percentage of your benefit to cover the mortgage.

Find a mortgage advisor who will help you find a suitable provider who will consider your application.

They can also find the best deal for you.

However, keep in mind that they charge a fee for their services, so you should factor that into your costs.

What other mortgage assistance is available?

As soon as you think you may have a problem with your monthly mortgage payment (whether you cannot pay anything, cannot pay your monthly payment in full or cannot pay it on time), contact your lender immediately.

They have certain arrangements in place to help you if you are having a hard time.

You can ask your lender about the breathing space arrangement if you feel that payments are unaffordable.

Under the breather program, none of your debts will accrue interest and you will not be charged any fees for 60 days.

You are protected against collection agencies and bailiffs.

You may also be able to request a payment holiday; then you don’t have to pay anything.

But interest and fees may still accrue, and missed payments will have to be made up in the future.

Each company has different policies, so you will need to contact us to find out what support is available to you.

Mortgage Interest Support or SMI helps people on Universal Credit (and other benefits) by giving them a low interest loan.

The assistance goes towards paying the mortgage or towards loans taken out to help repair any damage to the home.

SMI is a loan that you must repay with interest when you sell your home.

You will receive help with paying the interest on a maximum of € 200,000 of your loan or mortgage.

But you only get a maximum of £100,000 if you get a pension credit.

The interest added to the loan can go up or down, but the interest rate will not change more than twice a year – the current interest rate is 3.03%.

Contact the office that pays your benefits to see if you can get an SMI loan.

There are also several charities and services that offer free help and advice if you are worried about money.

It is always best to contact one of these services before thinking about debt consolidation or hiring a debt advisor who will likely charge you.

Citizens Advice is a free and impartial service that helps you come up with a plan to pay off your debts, including which payments to prioritize and how to reduce your living costs.

There is one on the organization’s website useful page with advice about many aspects of debt, but you can contact them directly by phone, online or in person for more personalized help.

StepChange is another free advice service that offers support and guidance online or over the phone, and is completely confidential.

You’ll need to provide details about your debts, income and household expenses to get a clear picture of where your money is going.

Where possible, their advisors will help you come up with a plan to repay all your debts, but in a way you can afford.

National Debtline is a charity offering free and confidential advice to people in England, Wales and Scotland.

You can contact them online or by telephone on 0808 808 4000, Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm and on Saturday from 9.30am to 1pm.

An advisor will help you figure out what you can pay back and help you determine the best solution for your debts.

Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.

Moreover, you can join us Sun Money chats and tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.

Life as a single parent can be tough at the best of times, but for mums of twelve Veronica Merritt the costs keep piling up.

Veronica, 38, is on ‘food stamps’ and the US version of the benefits, despite earning up to £5,500 a month posting videos on TikTok.

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As a self-employed art seller, Veronica’s income can vary greatly from month to month, but despite claiming some benefits, she says she doesn’t get everything she can.

“I’m not even getting everything we would qualify for,” explained the mother, who had her first child at age 14.

“I get $1,400 in food stamps a month and medical coverage.

“We would qualify for things like WIC and incompetence because my son was battling cancer, but we don’t get those extra things.”

The main goal for the mother is to have “food security,” which is partly why she started posting clips to TikTok.

But the income from it is not reliable enough to depend on it, she told Fabulous exclusively.

“My TikTok income really fluctuates.

“I had a month where I made over $7,000 from TikTok but the average was $2,700, but this last payout was only $300 because I barely posted anything,” she said.

Although two of her twelve children have now moved out, leaving a bit more space, there was a point where things were so tight that one of her children was living in the kitchen cupboard.

“When we bought this house we thought this was a kitchen cabinet.

“I use it for Halloween storage now, but it was also my eight-year-old’s bedroom, it’s just big enough that he could stand in it,” she previously explained.

Trolls have been cruel to the busy mum in the past, telling her she shouldn’t have so many children if she has to claim benefits to house and feed them.

“People judge me, of course, but the way I look at it, as long as they get to eat, I’m happy,” she said.

I had a doctor joke that I was made to make babies, and I think I let that go to my head.”

Veronica Merritt38

Veronica said she usually cooks food for her large brood, but if she doesn’t have much energy She coughs up the money for a takeaway meal.

“When it’s dinner time I don’t want what I’ve prepared anymore otherwise I just feel lazy and order a pizza which costs about £90 to feed us all.

“As well as the extra cost of a takeaway it also means I’ve wasted the £25 on the food I bought because it will spoil,” she said.

But the mom-shamers haven’t stopped Veronica from doing the best she can with what little she has, nor does she plan to give up her right to benefits.

“I am a single mother with ten children who still live at home and no support from their father.

“So yes, I accept the food benefits. Life is expensive,” she said.

The mother previously admitted that she would like to have more children.

Already mother to Victoria, 23, mother of one, Andrew, 18, Marine in training, Adam, 17, Mara, 16, Dash, 14, Darla, 13, Marvelous, 10, Martalya, eight, Amelia, six, Delilah, five , Donovan, three, and Modi, one, Veronica said there’s room in her nine-bed home for more – especially now that Victoria and Andrew have flown the nest.

“I definitely want six more children, but if I can go higher,” she said.

“If I could get pregnant with 11 at a time and know they would all survive, I would do it in a heartbeat, I wouldn’t care what happened to my body.

“I had a doctor joke that I was made for babies and I think I let that go to my head.

A little-known grant worth up to £66,000 is available to help people with disabilities stay in work.

To make things even easier, thousands of households can now apply for cash online instead of going through a lengthy paper application.

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Grants are available through the government’s Access to Work scheme, which is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The money can pay for specialist equipment such as a screen reader, remote video interpreters or support services so that someone with a disability can work from home.

It can also be used for transportation costs if the individual cannot use public transportation.

The money can also be used to do things like:

• A support person or job coach who helps you at your workplace
• A support service if you have a mental illness and are absent or find it difficult to work
• Adjustments to the equipment you use
• Specialist equipment
• Disability awareness training for your colleagues
• A communicator during a job interview
• The cost of moving your equipment if you change locations or jobs

You do not need to receive disability benefits to apply for access to work.

And any benefits you already receive are unlikely to affect your application.

What is the arrangement for access to work?

The Access to Work program aims to help workers aged 16 and over in England, Scotland and Wales, who are disabled or have a physical or mental health condition, to remain in work.

It is an unrestricted fund that pays out up to £66,000 per person annually.

Since it is a grant, it means that you do not have to pay the money back.

Grants will be tailored to your needs and you will be allocated an Access to Work advisor who will work with you and your employer to assess which equipment or assistance is best.

You or your employer purchase the necessary items or services, and Access to Work will reimburse you up to the amount of the subsidy offered to you.

Who is eligible for the scheme?

Access to Work grants are available if you are over 16 years old and your employer is based in England, Scotland or Wales.

A different system applies in Northern Ireland.

You must be about to start a job or probationary period, or already have a paid job or be self-employed.

If you have a job offer, you can apply for Access to Work up to 6 weeks before you start work.

Although there is no maximum income limit, if you are already receiving certain benefits while out of work, you may not receive a subsidy.

However, those receiving Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Income Support can still get help from Access to Work if they work more than an hour a week.

How do I apply for an Access to Work grant?

The Access to Work scheme pays grants of up to £60,000 per year per person to help disabled workers keep their jobs.

Check your eligibility before applying.

You can apply for Access to Work online or by telephone.

You need the following information:

• Your contact details
• Your workplace address and zip code
• Information about how your condition affects your work and what support you think you need
• Details of a contact person at the workplace who can confirm that you work there, if you are employed (they will not be contacted without your consent)
• Your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number, if you are self-employed

If you need the form in another format, such as Braille, large print or an audio CD, please call the Access to Work Helpline.

You can apply online by visiting https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply.

You can also sign up by calling the Access to Work helpline on 0800 121 7479.

How long does it take to receive a grant?

If you start work within four weeks, your application will be a priority.

You should call the Access to Work helpline if you do not hear about your application within a week of your application.

If you are already working, it may take up to 12 weeks before you receive an assessment.

A SHAMELESS charity cheat stole Universal Credit while scouting a new home with a secret inheritance pot worth £400,000.

Mother-of-three Amber Marshall received the huge sum after the ‘unexpected’ death of her estranged father three years ago.

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The 47-year-old was receiving both Universal Credit and housing benefit when she heard about her father in 2021.

But when the sale of her late father’s house went through, she received a £400,000 windfall and decided not to inform Medway Council and the Department of Work and Pensions.

By the time Marshall’s secret came out, she had claimed more than £10,000 in benefits, while spending hundreds of thousands of pounds on a new home and spoiling friends and family.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that Gillingham-based Marshall had just £5,000 left of her inheritance in January 2023.

The fraudster pleaded guilty to two offenses for failing to report a change in circumstances between September 2021 and May 2022, reports KentOnline.

Marshall’s lawyer, Amelia Norman, said: “She was entitled to benefits, received the money unexpectedly as part of an inheritance and essentially buried her head in the sand in terms of informing the authorities.”

It was said in court that Marshall still receives benefits of £590 a month, but after paying for basic needs he is left with about £60.

As it stands, she has repaid the amount of Universal Credit she received, but the outstanding housing benefit will be paid as part of a payment plan.

Although she was spared prison, Marshall was given an 18-month community order with 30 rehabilitation activity requirements and 120 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Gareth Branston told Marshall: “I do not underestimate the impact of losing a parent, even if you have been out of touch for years.

‘But it must have been clear that the authorities had to know about the inheritance and you admitted in your pleas that you were dishonest.’

This comes after reports of gangs using Photoshop to defraud the Department for Work and Pensions of £8.5 billion in 2022.

The scammers had edited themselves into screenshots of Google Maps in an attempt to outsmart the anti-fraudsters.

And The Sun revealed that more than 7,000 Brits who don’t qualify for social housing have been caught making their way onto waiting lists.

Since 2020, government scammers have uncovered £26.4 million worth of housing fraud.

The criminal activity, detected by the Cabinet Office’s National Fraud Initiative, took place as queues for English social housing topped one million.

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MILLIONS of households on various legacy benefits are being asked to switch to Universal Credit as part of a massive wealth change.

All two million legacy benefit claimants must move to Universal Credit (UC) or pension credit by the end of March 2025, through a process known as managed migration.

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Universal Credit was created to replace old benefits.

Eligible households will be contacted with letters in the post explaining how they can make the switch from tax credits to Universal Credit.

Once you receive a letter, you have three months to switch. Otherwise, you may lose your current benefits.

However, the latest statistics show that more than 31,000 people with tax benefits who were invited to move to UC have not made a claim and have had their benefits stopped.

There could be a number of reasons for this, including the issue of the five-week wait for cash.

When you first sign up to the Universal Credit scheme, there can be quite a long wait for your first payment.

In some cases it can take up to five weeks before you are in the system and this can cause problems for many people.

Many households struggle to afford basic necessities during this period as other pre-existing benefits are usually canceled.

For example, if you claim tax credits under the managed migration process, your entitlement will stop as soon as you apply for Universal Credit.

However, those receiving income support, housing benefit, means-tested Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), means-tested Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) will continue to receive their old payments for a further two weeks after making a Universal Credit application.

This means there are still three weeks without benefits.

However, households waiting for their first Universal Credit payment can apply for an advance loan.

The advance loan is designed to help you bridge the gap while you wait for your first Universal Credit payment.

However, keep in mind that it is not free cash, it is just a loan and the money does have to be paid back.

This means that the amount of Universal Credit you receive will be reduced until the cost of the loan is repaid.

However, it can still be a lifeline for some. Here’s exactly how it works.

How much can I get?

Claimants can borrow up to 100% of their estimated payment, but you can also ask for less.

The advantage of this loan is that it is interest-free, so if you do need to borrow, it is wise to do so rather than incurring debt elsewhere.

However, remember that you will have to pay it back, so think carefully before signing up.

The money will be transferred to you within three working days and must remain for the full five weeks before your first payment.

How do I request an advance?

You can apply for a Universal Credit advance before you receive your first payment from UC.

There are several ways in which you can apply for the loan.

You can sign up with the help of your Jobcente work coach, or by calling the Universal Credit helpline.

You can apply for the loan from the time you first apply for Universal Credit until the date you receive your first payment.

You will need to explain why you think you need the advance, provide information to verify your identity (during your first Jobcentre Plus interview) and provide banking details for the advance.

If you are unable to open a bank account, please contact your work coach.

You will usually be told the same day whether you will receive your advance loan.

If you need help, you can call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.

The lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.

When do I have to repay an advance?

You are expected to repay the loan within the first 24 months of obtaining it.

To pay it back, the DWP will deduct an amount from your Universal Credit payment every month.

You can calculate how much will be deducted from your payment each month by dividing the full cost of the loan by 24.

For example, if you borrowed £1,500, £62.50 will be deducted from your Universal Credit payment each month.

You can request to defer your repayments for up to three months if you are unable to pay them, but this is only allowed in exceptional circumstances.

If you call the helpline and are successful in your application, they will tell you over the phone:

• How much you can take
• The monthly repayment amounts
• When the first payment is due

However, you still have to pay it back within 12 months if you applied for the advance before April 12 this year.

You only have six months if you have submitted the application due to changed circumstances. You can then request a postponement of repayment by one month.

MILLIONS of households on benefits are facing a payment delay over the way their benefits will be paid next month.

Benefits will increase by 6.7% from April, in line with the consumer price index (CPI) inflation level for September 2023.

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However, it’s important to note that even though the new rates go into effect on April 8, most won’t see their payments increase until May.

This is because most benefits are paid monthly or twice a month in arrears.

For example, if you typically receive your state pension payment on or before the 8th of each month, you will not receive a payment increase until after your May payment is due.

Millions on Universal Credit will also have to wait a little longer to receive the top-up because of the way the benefit is assessed.

This means that the date on which you receive the wage increase depends on when your last tax period was.

Universal Credit is paid monthly and is based on your circumstances on a monthly basis.

This is called your ‘assessment period’ and starts on the day you make your claim.

The new Universal Credit rates will only come into effect during the first assessment period, which starts on or after April 8.

Those whose assessment period began before April 8 will see benefits increase in May, but those whose assessment period began after this date will not see this until June.

Here’s a full list of the new benefit rates for 2024-2025 so you can see how much extra you could get.

Universal credit

Standard fee (per month)

• For singles and under 25s, the standard allowance will increase from £292.11 to £311.68
• For single people and those aged 25 or over, the standard allowance will increase from £368.74 to £393.45
• For joint claimants who are both under 25 years of age, the standard award will increase from £458.51 to £489.23
• For joint claimants where one or both are aged 25 or over, the standard compensation increases from £578.82 to £617.6

Additional amounts for children

• For those with a first child born before April 6, 2017, the additional amount will increase from £315 to £333.33
• For those with a child born on or after April 6, 2017 or a second child and a subsequent child, the additional amount will increase from € 269.58 to £287.92
• For people with a disabled child, the additional charge on the lower rate will increase from £146.31 to £156.11 and the higher rate of £456.89 to £487.58

Additional amounts for limited work capacity

• For those deemed to have limited capacity to work, the additional amount will increase from £146.31 to £156.11
• For those deemed to have limited employment opportunities or work-related activities, the additional amount will increase from £390.06 to £416.19

Additional amounts as an informal caregiver

Universal Credit claimants can get an extra amount if they care for a severely disabled person for at least 35 hours a week.

The amount you receive per month increases from € 185.86 to € 185.86 £198.31

The work allowance rates will also increase in April next year.

Increased work compensation

• The higher work allowance (not housing amount) for someone claiming Universal Credit who has one or more dependent children or limited employment opportunities will increase from £631 to £673
• The reduced work allowance for someone claiming Universal Credit who has one or more dependent children or limited employment options will rise from £379 to £404

AOW

The full rate of the new state pension will increase from £203.85 per week to £221.20.

For the basic part of the old state pension, the rate will increase from £156.20 to £169.50.

How much pension you receive depends on your entitlement.

THOUSANDS of cash-strapped Britons can claim a one-off payment of £145 to help with rising living costs – but will have to act quickly to get the money into the bank.

The cost of living crisis has taken its toll on all of us, leaving many people to tighten their wallets.

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But those on a low income or on certain benefits can receive free financial help from their municipality.

If you live in Windsor and Maidenhead borough, you can get £145 of free cash to cover food and energy costs.

The council has worked with 18 charity partners to decide who needs the help.

Since 2021, they have already served 2,821 residents and distributed 36,350 free school meal vouchers to families through our partnership.

Much of this support is aimed at those who are most struggling, including care leavers, older people and families.

The aid comes through the Household Support Fund, which is worth £842 million.

The money is provided by the government, which has distributed it to councils in England.

They then decide how to divide their share of the fund.

Applicants must also be in “severe financial need” and over 18 years of age.

Councilor Catherine del Campo, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Housing, said: “Our partnership with the community has been vital in ensuring residents have access to a wide range of support for living costs and has already helped so many people assisted.

“We know the cost of living remains high and it is very important that residents continue to reach out for support when they are struggling.

‘The cost of living affects everyone, and people should not feel ashamed about asking for help.

‘There are many people who want to help and you will not be judged regardless of your circumstances.

“The partnership we have created provides a sustainable source of support for residents, providing comprehensive support to residents that goes beyond government assistance.

“You can also make an appointment with our Financial Inclusion Team to ensure you claim everything you’re entitled to, and see our ‘Here to Help’ web pages for more support and advice on living costs around energy and water bills, rental costs, council tax, food, childcare, school meals, benefits and more.”

Meanwhile, Danielle Lane, community development officer at housing association Abri, said: “The collaboration between the council and the various support groups has been exceptional.

“We have all been involved in setting up the process and working together to resolve issues – this has made the process seamless and simple for everyone involved.

“The Cost of Living Partnership is now well established and will continue to look for ways to support each other and residents during the ongoing cost of living crisis.

“Over the past year we have supported more than 200 customers who urgently needed help with heating and family essentials.”

What should I do if my municipality is not on the list?

Although the final phase of this DWP Household Support Fund has now been fully distributed, the cost of living remains high and local partners are committed to working together to help residents access support.

The Government recently announced that the Household Support Fund will be further expanded, but allocations for councils and qualification criteria are yet to be confirmed.

It is best to contact your municipality to see what help is offered and whether you need to take action.

You can do this by using the government’s location tool on its website.

But you may want to act quickly because competition for the fund is fierce and once a municipality uses up its share, there is nothing left.

That said, the Household Support Fund has been extended several times since it was first launched in October 2021, so it could be extended again when the current batch closes, in March 2024.