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.

1

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.

THOUSANDS of women are owed compensation by the government, a landmark report has revealed.

Official findings published today by an ombudsman have called for compensation for WASPI women over DWP’s “shortcomings”.

1

The Parliamentary and Healthcare Ombudsman released the report following an investigation into potential injustices resulting from raising the retirement age for women in line with that of men.

Those affected are called WASPI (Women Against State Pension Age Inequality) and are those who saw their retirement age rise from 60 to 65.

These women were born in the 1950s and were told they would have to wait longer for their pension money when changes to the state pension age accelerated in 2010.

The ombudsman published the first phase of his report in 2021, which criticized the government for being too slow to inform women about the consequences of the age change.

It has now published the second and third parts of its investigation, which address these communication errors and recommendations on compensation.

To date, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has not acknowledged its failings or put matters right for the women affected, the report said.

The Ombudsman has now asked Parliament to intervene, saying it must “act quickly” and ensure a compensation scheme is put in place.

Rebecca Hilsenrath, director of the Parliamentary and Healthcare Ombudsman, said: “The UK National Ombudsman has identified DWP’s failings in this case and has ruled that the women affected are owed compensation.

“DWP has clearly indicated that it will refuse to comply. This is not acceptable. The department must do the right thing and be held accountable if it does not do so.

“Complainants do not have to wait to see whether DWP will take action to correct its shortcomings.”

Legally, the Ombudsman cannot recommend that the government reimburse women for the full pension amount they have not received.

However, it may recommend that at least some of those affected receive payments of £10,000 or more, although it is not yet known how a compensation scheme would work.

It can be difficult to figure out who actually qualifies for the money, and so far nothing has been guaranteed by the government.

Some critics have said that a blanket payment scheme would fail to distinguish between people who knew their state pension age was rising and others who had not been properly contacted by the DWP and suffered as a result.

It would also be quite expensive, costing the government billions of pounds.

Others do not believe the £10,000 figure would be enough for some who believe they have lost much more.

The DWP has been contacted for comment.

Who are WASPI women?

WASPI women refers to an estimated 3.8 million women born in the 1950s who have been severely affected by a change in the state pension age from 60 to 65.

The abbreviation stands for Women against inequality in state pensions.

The women represented were born between April 6, 1950 and April 5, 1960.

Until 2010, women could claim their state pension from the age of 60, and men from the age of 65.

But from 2010 to 2018, the retirement age for women was gradually increased from 60 to 68, bringing it in line with the state pension age for men.

The women affected say the changes were made with little notice, leaving them without enough money.

This shake-up was introduced by successive governments in 1995, 2007 and 2011 to bring women’s state pension age on par with men’s and to take into account the fact that people are both living and working longer.

Angela Madden, chair of the WASPI campaign, previously told The Sun: “More than 260,000 WASPI women have died since the campaign began and this tragic statistic reaffirms the urgent need for justice for all those affected, following the repeated failures of the DWP and subsequent governments of all colours.”

What is the WASPI campaign?

The WASPI campaign was set up in 2015 to help people affected by the change in the state pension age.

Campaigners say they agree with the equal retirement age for men and women and are not calling for a return to the previous retirement age.

But they say they do not accept the unfair way in which the changes to the state pension age have been implemented ‘inadequately’ or ‘without notice’.

Many women had made life plans based on when they thought they would retire.

When this was subsequently postponed, they ran into financial problems because they had to wait extra years for their pension.

Millions of women were suddenly faced with unemployment, zero-hour contracts and a loss of independence, according to the group.

Among the hardest hit were the 300,000 women born between December 1953 and October 1954, who had to wait another eighteen months before they could retire.

What compensation is proposed and what is the likelihood that it will be paid?

Over the years, many MPs have supported the WASPI campaign, but ministers have repeatedly ruled out any form of concession to those affected.

This included compensation to bridge the gap between the change in the state pension age or a one-off payment.

In February, MP Alan Brown introduced a bill calling for a compensation scheme with payouts of at least £10,000 to help those affected.

However, the bill is not a certainty and cannot be adopted by parliament.

Ms Madden said at the time: “We have been working closely with Alan Brown MP and are grateful for his support in our ongoing fight for fair and speedy compensation.

“The figure of £10,000 is in line with the findings of the cross-party APPG for State Pension Inequality for Women, which concluded that the figures set out in the Ombudsman’s level 6 compensation scale are both necessary and proportionate.”

The second reading of the state pension age (compensation) bill was scheduled for Friday, April 19, but it is unlikely to pass parliament without government support.

This means that the cash payouts are far from guaranteed, but we will keep you informed of any changes.

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 SWISH mansion worth £3.5 million in Cheshire’s Golden Triangle is up for grabs as part of a new prize draw raising money for the charity named in honor of inspiring cancer campaigner Deborah James.

For just £10, one lucky winner will win the spectacular Omaze Million Pound House Draw, along with £100,000 in cash.

4

4

4

4

The eventual winner will receive the keys to a beautiful five-bedroom home in Prestbury, one of the most exclusive areas in the country.

But the fantastic draw is also aimed at raising £1 million for the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK, which has been set up to continue the work of bowel cancer sufferer and campaigner Deborah.

The mother-of-two and journalist was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer in 2016 and subsequently presented the You, Me and the Big C podcast on BBC Radio 5 Live about her struggles with her disease, raising awareness of the disease.

Deborah sadly passed away in June 2022 at the age of just 40, but the charity lives on in her name.

Her mother, Heather James, said of the partnership: “Deborah’s awareness and fundraising made a huge difference to so many people’s lives.

“Through this partnership with Omaze, we hope to raise more money for the groundbreaking cancer research she was so passionate about and make a difference to the lives of many more people.”

The Omaze Million Pound House Draw in Cheshire is the company’s 25th house draw and returns to the site where the very first Omaze house was given away in 2020.

The property is mortgage free and all stamp duty and legal costs are covered.

The winner will also receive £100,000 in cash and can decide to live in the house, rent it out for additional income or sell it to become a cash multi-millionaire.

If the winner decides to rent it out, local agents estimate the property could reach a long-term rental value of £20,000 per month.

The house is located in Cheshire’s Golden Triangle, between Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Prestbury – famous for being the home of football stars and celebrities.

And this prime level property has been carefully designed to provide a perfect blend of traditional and contemporary style.

It contains a mix of brick, sandstone details and wooden cladding.

The impressive 7,000 m² new build property is surrounded by manicured grounds, including south-facing gardens to the rear and an enclosed private driveway with ample parking.

The house has a hall with a gallery and a characteristic staircase.

Large windows not only provide beautiful views, but also fill the house with natural light, creating a light and airy atmosphere inside, in addition to the high ceilings and impressive room proportions.

The main reception rooms have French doors giving access to the gardens and terrace, which receives light all day with a south-facing aspect.

The heart of the house is the spacious open kitchen, living and dining room.

The custom-made handmade kitchen is equipped with various integrated Miele appliances, a coffee station, a large central island and a walk-in pantry with French doors to the rear terrace.

The main living room has several French doors that also open onto the backyard.

The ground floor also has a cinema room, a study with beautiful views over the front of the house and a home gym complete with shower room.

There is home audio and underfloor heating on the entire ground floor.

The first floor features five generous bedrooms, three of which have en-suite bathrooms with built-in dressing areas.

The master bedroom suite has a large walk-in dressing room, a beautifully appointed bathroom with a walk-in rain shower, tiled bath and a large hidden backlit television.

The largest bedroom even has its own night kitchen – with built-in refrigerator – and windows overlooking the backyard.

The remaining two bedrooms both have built-in wardrobes and share the family bathroom.

Outside there is a double garage with electric doors and a separate suite above with its own entrance and use of the ground floor shower room.

To the front of the property there are box hedges and plantings with additional lawns and large south facing gardens to the rear with lawns, mature hedges, plant borders and a large patio spanning the full width of the house with external speakers, ideal for entertaining and al fresco dining.

The sought after village of Prestbury is a short walk from the property and is renowned for its range of luxury shops, eateries and schools including the new Kings School Macclesfield, along with a tennis club, park and train station giving easy access to Manchester and London.

The Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Cheshire, will not only make the lucky top prize winner a multi-millionaire, but will also raise money for the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK.

Established to continue the incredible legacy of Dame Deborah James, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 at the age of 35 and who went on to become a tireless campaigner and fundraiser.

Around 44,100 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Britain every year – making it the fourth most common cancer in Britain and the second most common cause of death from cancer.

The Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK aims to give more people more time with the people they love by funding ground-breaking research and raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer.

Mum Heather, 66, told The Sun: “I’m so excited – it’s guaranteed £1 million for Deborah’s Bowelbabe Fund.

“That’s an awful lot of money. I am very aware that we will never be able to generate the level of fundraising that Deborah did in the weeks before she died, so something like this is incredible.

“As a family, we are so proud of Deborah’s legacy, and it is an honor to continue what she started.

“She would be so excited if an Omaze house was dedicated to her Fund, she loved it and always entered the draws.

‘Her brother Ben thinks it’s a shame that he can’t win this house, he has a standing order every month.

“It’s such a beautiful home and it will be a wonderful opportunity for a family to enjoy new beginnings and new memories together.

“And that fits so well with the Bowelbabe Fund: more money is raised to finance more research to help save more lives.

“The money raised will ensure families like ours have the opportunity to make new memories with their loved ones.”

Heather highlighted her daughter’s fundraising spirit, adding: “I can just hear her now, I know she would say ‘let’s go ahead and get it to £3 million’.

“So I can’t help it… wouldn’t it be great if we could reach at least £2 million.”

Dame Deborah James died in June 2022 at the age of 40, five and a half years after she was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer.

At the time, the mother-of-two shared her experiences of living with incurable cancer with millions of people, giving a candid account in her Sun column Things Cancer Made Me Say.

She then launched the You, Me & The Big C podcast on the BBC and was a regular on Lorraine’s sofa, as well as writing two self-help books.

With only days to live in May 2022, Dame Debs launched her Bowelbabe Fund to fund vital research “to give one last f*** you to cancer, and give more Deborahs more time”.

The inspirational campaigner captured the hearts of the nation and smashed her £250,000 target in one day.

She was stunned when donations gained momentum, reaching £1 million within days.

When Debs died on June 28, the total amount was almost £7 million – more than her wildest dreams.

Knowing that one of the 40-year-old’s dying wishes was for it to reach £10 million, The Sun called on readers to donate in her memory.

Last April, her proud husband Sebastian revealed that the Fund had reached a whopping £11.3 million – and has since risen to £12.6 million.

In footage filmed just before she passed away, Dame Debs thanked the more than 330,000 people who donated.

“Every cent counts. I can’t thank you enough for your support.

“You’re amazing,” she said.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Seb revealed that the first £4 million would go towards funding five different projects in partnership with Cancer Research UK, The Institute of Cancer Research, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and Bowel Cancer UK – all charities near Dame. The heart of Debs.

And earlier this month it was announced that a further £5 million will be spent to fund a new study that will help shed light on an alarming rise in bowel cancer rates among the over-50s.

This is the second time that Cancer Research UK has partnered with Omaze.

The first partnership in 2021 has raised £500,000 for the charity’s vital work, creating a world where everyone can live a longer, better life, free from the fear of cancer.

Omaze has guaranteed a minimum donation of £1 million from this partnership.

James Oakes, Chief International Officer at Omaze, said: “We are really excited to be back where it all started for our 25th home in beautiful Cheshire – and to be working with Cancer Research UK for the second time to support the Bowelbabe Fund to support Cancer Research UK.

“By offering this beautiful property in Cheshire, along with £100,000 in cash, Omaze is giving people the chance to win life-changing prizes that can help them get a mortgage or rent a free life.

“In addition to raising money for charities, Omaze introduces them to new audiences that they would not otherwise reach.

“We are extremely proud that the Omaze community has already raised more than £34 million for charities across the UK.”

MARTIN Lewis has revealed a simple trick to get up to thousands of pounds in free cash in minutes.

Currently, four major banks are offering switching bonuses and this can be a great way to get some free money.

1

There has been little talk of bank switching bonuses in recent weeks, but now competition is increasing.

The latest MSE newsletter revealed that four major banks now have switching offers that can help you make some money in minutes.

Throughout the year, most banks tend to offer some kind of incentive to entice customers to switch to them.

However, there are usually certain criteria you must meet to receive the free money, so make sure you check all the details before signing up.

Some people are quite nervous about making the switch because they think they have to do all the work themselves, but that’s not true.

To qualify for the switching offer, in most cases you must complete the switch via the current account switching service (CASS).

The CASS is a free service that does most of the work for you. Below we explain all the details of the switching offer and how you can switch.

Santander

• Free £185 cash, plus 1% cashback on bills and 7% easy-access savings

This Santander offer is open to new and existing customers switching to a qualifying Santander UK current account.

The eligible accounts are a daily current account, a Santander Edge current account, a Santander Edge Up current account or a private V2 current account.

According to MSE, the Santander Edge account is the standout, a ‘top pick for accounts’.

The Santander Edge account costs £3 per month and requires you to pay £500 plus a month.

We made £1,000 last year alone, everyone should try it

Angus, MSE fan

Two ongoing sets of cashback are also available on this account, up to a maximum of £10 each.

Customers with this account can earn 1% cashback when spending on supermarket, fuel, train and bus travel.

Also 1% on water, council tax, energy, broadband, telephones and any paid TV bills paid from the account.

Households with average leaving accounts can typically earn £80 to £100 per year after the monthly account fee has been deducted.

With this account you also get access to a year’s worth of 7% variable savings up to € 4,000. If you save the maximum, this means that you will receive € 280 in interest.

If you have a lot of expenses, you can opt for the Santander Edge Up account for a chance to get more free cashback.

The cost of the account is slightly higher at £5 per month, but the cashback limit is higher at £15, up from £10.

To qualify for the £185 switching bonus, you must do the following:

• Complete the entire transfer within 60 days of requesting the transfer process.
• Pay at least €1,500 within 60 days. This does not have to be done all at once.
• Set up two active direct debits within 60 days. Direct debits to fund Santander, cahoot or Cater Allen savings do not count.
• Continue to maintain the eligible checking account on the day the payment is made.

Those eligible for the payment will be paid within 90 days of the switching process.

New customers can switch online via Santander’s website, by telephone or in a branch.

Existing Santander UK customers must visit a branch to take advantage of the offer.

NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland

• Free €200 cash plus up to €36 cashback per year and access regular savings of 6.17%

NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) are offering customers who switch to one of their eligible accounts a £200 bonus.

People who switch to an Everyday, Reward or Premier account using the CASS can get the money if they meet certain criteria.

To qualify for the bonus you must:-

• Deposit €1,250 into your new checking account and log in to the mobile banking app within 60 days of switching.
• Have not received any previous switching incentive from NatWest Group since January 1, 2020.

When you do this, the money will be deposited into your account within seven days.

Customers can also earn up to £5 cashback when they use their card, but they will have to pay £2 per month.

This could mean a total of a potential €36 extra cashback over the year.

The Everyday checking account from both banks does not offer cashback, but is free of charge.

Meanwhile, there are three Premier accounts to choose from: Premier Select, Premier Reward and Premier Reward Black.

There are no monthly fees for the Premier Select account, but there are £2 and £31 monthly fees for the Premier Reward and Premier Reward Black accounts respectively.

Lloyds

• Free £175 cash plus benefits like Disney+ and you also get access to a regular savings account at 6.25%

As well as offering free cash, Club Lloyds will pay switchers £175 and either 12 months of Disney+, 6 cinema tickets, Gourmet Society and Coffee Club membership or a magazine subscription.

The Lloyds offer is only available to customers switching to a Club Lloyds, Club Lloyds Silver or Club Lloyds Platinum current account.

Customers must switch from a current account to Lloyds by Thursday, March 28 to avoid missing out.

To qualify for the free money you must do the following:

• Switch and pay €2,000 per month, or you will be charged €3 per month.
• The account you are transferring must have two direct debits.
• Make sure you have not received a transfer fee since April 2020.

Customers can also put £400 a month into a one-year fixed savings account at 6.25%, which if you max out will earn £161 in interest, according to MSE.

The bank switch must be done via the Payment Account Switching Service (CASS).

HSBC

• Free £100 plus £10 per month cashback for a year and access to regular 5% savings

People switching to an HSBC UK Advance or Premier account can get a £100 switching bonus when they switch to one of the eligible accounts.

There is also a chance to increase the amount you get to €220, which we explain below.

Customers can receive a lump sum of €100 just for switching bank accounts. You can then earn £10 per month cashback for 12 months, meaning you could potentially earn £220 in free cash.

Certain criteria must be met to get the full £220 and the switching process must be done through CASS.

To receive the first payment of £100 you must meet the following criteria:

• Apply for an HSBC Advance or Premier bank account on or after March 11 and successfully open the account
• Change an existing account from another bank using the CASS within 30 days of opening the account
• The switch must include at least two direct debits or standing orders
• Deposit at least £1,500 into the account within 60 days, divided into one or more payments
• Make at least 20 transactions with your HSBC debit card
• Register and log in to mobile banking
• Open an Online Bonus Saver account and deposit a minimum of £50

If new customers complete all the steps above, they will receive €100 in their checking account within 30 days.

To get their hands on another €120, customers will have to complete some of the above steps for another twelve months each.

Customers must continue to log into mobile banking, pay £1,500, complete a minimum of 20 transactions and keep their direct debit active each month, as well as making a monthly deposit of £50 into their online bonus savings account.

For each month they meet these criteria, €10 will be paid into their account up to a maximum of €120 or twelve monthly payments, before the 20th of the following month.

However, the extra money is dependent on meeting the criteria, so if you miss a month you will miss out on the £10 bonus payment for that month.

A Martin Lewis fan said he has made £1,000 in the past year thanks to switching from bank to bank.

Angus wrote: “Thanks to your guidance we have made £1,000 – £200 each from TSB, £125 each from Co-op and £175 each from Barclays in the last year alone. It’s so simple, everyone who is able should try.”

Keep in mind that while it can be profitable, switching to a bank can impact your credit score in the short term.

So if you want to make an important credit application soon, such as a mortgage, it may be worth waiting until after that.

Switching bank accounts has long been an easy way to get free cash.

Currently, four major banks are offering new current account customers free cash worth up to £220.

1

HSBC is offering new Advance and Premier account customers up to £220 towards switching – the highest offer in five years.

NatWest and the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) are offering newcomers £200 to switch, while Lloyds Bank is offering new customers £175.

Switching bank accounts has never been easier thanks to the Current Account Switching Service (CASS).

Through CASS, customers can choose their transfer date and leave it to the banks to move any active direct debits to their new account.

We’ve listed the best bank accounts you can switch to right now to get up to £220 in free cash, and explain what you need to do to qualify for each account.

HSBC

• up to £220 free cash, including £10 per month cashback for a year. In addition, you get access to a linked saver who pays 5%

The current switching offer at HSBC means new customers can get up to £220 by switching from their current bank to an HSBC UK Advance or Premier account.

The money is paid out in separate amounts. You will receive one lump sum of €100 for switching, and after that you can earn €10 per month in cashback for 12 months.

Certain criteria must be met to get the full £220 and the switching process must be done through CASS.

CASS is a free service that allows you to easily exchange your old current account for a new one.

You just need to contact your new bank to apply for their checking account. If you are accepted, they will offer to transfer for you.

To receive the first payment of £100 you must meet the following criteria:

• Apply for an HSBC Advance or Premier bank account on or after March 11 and successfully open the account
• Change an existing account from another bank using the CASS within 30 days of opening the account
• The switch must include at least two direct debits or standing orders
• Deposit at least £1,500 into the account within 60 days, divided into one or more payments
• Make at least 20 transactions with your HSBC debit card
• Register and log in to mobile banking
• Open an Online Bonus Saver account and deposit a minimum of £50

If new customers complete all the steps above, they will receive €100 in their checking account within 30 days.

To get the extra £120, they must complete some of the above steps every month for a further 12 months.

Customers must continue to log into mobile banking, pay £1,500, complete a minimum of 20 transactions and keep their direct debit active each month, as well as making a monthly deposit of £50 into their online bonus savings account.

For each month they meet these criteria, €10 will be paid into their account up to a maximum of €120 or twelve monthly payments, before the 20th of the following month.

Please note that this extra money is dependent on meeting the monthly criteria, so if you miss a month you will miss out on the £10 bonus payment for that month.

NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland

• £200 free cash and up to £36 cashback per year. In addition, you get access to a linked saver who pays 6.17%

NatWest and the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) are offering newcomers £200 to switch their current accounts to an Everyday, Reward or Premier account using the CASS.

To receive the money, you must deposit €1,250 into your new checking account and log into the mobile banking app within 60 days of switching.

Once you have done this, the money will be deposited into your account within seven days.

You cannot switch if you have received a switching incentive from the NatWest Group, of which RBS is part, since 1 January 2020.

Customers who switch to NatWest or RBS’s Rewards bank account can also earn up to £5 cashback when they use their card, but they will have to pay £2 per month.

This means that they can earn a total of € 36 cashback over the entire year.

The Everyday checking account from both banks does not offer cashback, but is free of charge.

Meanwhile, there are three Premier accounts to choose from: Premier Select, Premier Reward and Premier Reward Black.

There are no monthly fees for the Premier Select account, but there are £2 and £31 monthly fees for the Premier Reward and Premier Reward Black accounts respectively.

Lloyd’s Bank

• £175 free cash and a 12 month Disney+ subscription. In addition, you get access to a linked saver who pays 6.25%

Lloyds Bank is offering a £175 cash bonus to anyone who switches to one of three current accounts from another bank.

The Lloyds offer is only available to customers switching to a Club Lloyds, Club Lloyds Silver or Club Lloyds Platinum current account.

Customers must switch from a current account to Lloyds by Thursday, March 28 to avoid missing out.

They will then need to make two direct debits to qualify for the cash bonus, which will be paid out within ten working days of the start of the switch.

Customers can also choose from one of the following rewards:

• Disney+ free for a year (a saving of £79.90)
• Six movie tickets
• Membership of the Coffee Club and the Gourmet Society
• Magazine subscription

However, there’s a catch: the Club Lloyds bank account has a monthly fee of £3 unless you pay at least £2,000 every month.

Not interested in free money?

Switching checking accounts has long been an easy way to get free cash from banks luring new customers.

However, these lucrative deals may not be for everyone.

But other benefits, such as free travel insurance, interest-free overdrafts and cashback, can make switching providers worthwhile.

Best for overdrafts

Overdraft debt can easily add up, so if you tend to end up in the red, make sure you have an account with the lowest possible fees.

First Direct’s Free 1st Account offers an interest-free overdraft on balances up to £250.

New customers of Nationwide’s free FlexDirect account will receive an interest-free overdraft on balances up to £1,500 for the first year after account opening.

Keep in mind that an interest-free overdraft should only be used in an emergency or to save yourself during an expensive month.

The best for cashback

You can earn money for free from banks with great cashback benefits.

The Santander Edge account pays one percent cashback on selected household bills and travel expenses.

Please note that earnings are limited to £20 per month and the account has a monthly fee of £3.

The app-only Chase checking account also pays customers one percent cash back on most debit card spend.

You can get up to €15 per month cashback without monthly costs.

The best for savers

Switch current accounts and you’ll get access to the best savings rates.

For example, those who open a Santander Edge account will get access to a linked saver, which pays 7% interest on pots of up to £4,000.

And Barclays bank account customers can join the Blue Rewards program and apply for a linked Rainy Day Saver, which pays 5.12 per cent interest on up to £5,000.

Best for frequent travel

Virgin Money’s Club M account costs £12.50 per month or £150 per year, but you get free global travel insurance when you switch to the account.

Plus you get free mobile phone insurance, plus UK and European breakdown cover with AA, which typically costs over £150 a year.

The free services can save you money if you are a driver and travel often.

But do your amounts carefully to make sure it’s a good deal for your circumstances.

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.

1

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.

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.

1

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.

MARTIN Lewis has warned first-time buyers that they have just weeks left to claim £1,000 free cash.

The money-saving expert spoke about the benefits of a Lifetime ISA (LISA) on last night’s episode of the Martin Lewis Money Show.

1

A LISA is a powerful savings instrument for starters who want to get on the property ladder.

The savings account can save you up to £4,000 per tax year and the state adds 25% per year.

This means you can get up to €1,000 in free cash per year, but if you haven’t already, you need to act quickly.

If you are considering transferring your money to a LISA, you must do so before the end of the tax year, which is April 5.

A Lifetime ISA can be opened by anyone aged between 18 and 39.

You can use it to save up to €4,000 per year, for a first home costing up to €450,000, or for your retirement.

It is important to note that savers must have the LISA open for a year before they are eligible for the 25% bonus.

It is for this reason that Martin advises anyone who has never owned a house to put £1 in a LISA to “keep the clock ticking” on how long the house has been open.

He said: “You might as well put a pound in now in case you want to use it in the future. It’s great if you’ve got 18-year-old kids and you want to put money in for them.”

If you withdraw the money from the account for any reason other than for a qualifying home (up to £450,000) or before you are 60 years old, you will pay a 6.25% penalty to access to your money.

Martin was asked by a member of the public if he thought the government would waive the fine if the house cost more than the eligible amount.

He said he asked the chancellor before the autumn statement and as nothing has changed he plans to “keep campaigning on it”.

Martin also told viewers that MoneyBox currently has the best rate on a LISA at 4.4%.

Last year, thousands of first-time buyers missed out on millions of pounds of free cash by not putting their savings into a Lifetime ISA.

Moneybox data shows that just 56,100 people bought their first home using a Lifetime ISA in 2022/2023.

This means that of the 300,000 registered starters, a maximum of 243,900 could have missed the government bonus offered by saving in a LISA.

This equates to a potential loss of £243,900,000 in ‘free money’ in government LISA bonuses in 2022/2023.

More than 18 million Britons are currently eligible to open a LISA.

What is a lifetime ISA?

A Lifetime ISA (LISA) is a savings account that allows new buyers to spend up to £4,000 in cash each year tax-free.

The government will then add a 25% bonus to your savings, up to a maximum of £1,000 per year.

You can open a Lifetime ISA with any bank, building society or investment manager that offers the product.

Savers can also hold more than one ISA, although you can only pay into one ISA each tax year.

LISAs are also transferable, so you can move your ISA if you want to get a better rate.

If you don’t use your LISA to buy your first home, you can continue making payments until you’re 50.

You can then make a full or partial withdrawal at the age of 60, without incurring any costs.

What types of lifetime ISAs are there?

There are two types of LISAs: a cash LISA and a stock LISA.

A cash LISA may be worthwhile if you are saving for your first home and plan to buy it within a few years.

Interest is paid out tax-free on both the amount you deposit and on top of the government bonus.

Because the account is an ISA account, the interest earned does not count towards your personal savings allowance.

A stocks and shares LISA may be more suitable if you are saving for your retirement over a longer period.

This is more complex because investment profits come in the form of dividends, capital gains and bond interest.

Here too, the interest earned does not count towards your personal savings deduction.