£546 of freebies and discounts for people on | U.Ok.Finance News
Thousands of people up and down the nation declare Universal Credit, the DWP’s catch-all benefit which is slowly changing varied different advantages as a way to assist people on low incomes.Universal Credit isn’t just for these out of work, however can also be accessible to many working full time on low salaries as a means to prime up income. But the benefit doesn’t stop there, and many might not realise that Universal Credit will be a gateway to as a lot as £546.10 of freebies and discounts you possibly can obtain in April alone, or £3,919.10 throughout a 12 months.Council Tax low cost – up to £1,710 a 12 months, or £171 per monthThose on Universal Credit are eligible to say up to 75% off their Council Tax invoice. The precise quantity relies upon on varied components reminiscent of your income, whether or not you reside alone, have youngsters or have a incapacity.The average Band D council tax invoice for properties in England within the 2025-26 tax 12 months which started on April 6, 2025, is £2,280 in keeping with The Times.A 75% low cost on that may be price £1,710. Per month, that may be £171 (as council tax is often billed in 10 month-to-month installments, not 12).Household Support Fund – £200 single costThe Household Support Fund is a pot of money made accessible to households by way of native councils, however funded by the DWP.The scheme has been renewed for April 2025 onwards. It can take many kinds, as every native authority decides what to do with the money it receives from the DWP and how best handy it out. For instance, some native councils will give out procuring vouchers to help low income households buy food. Others will give vitality invoice credit, or money funds. This is a single cost, quite than recurring month-to-month. Energy invoice discounts – £2,000, or £166 monthlyBritish Gas in addition to Octopus Energy and different companies offer schemes open to these on Universal Credit and different low income advantages like Pension Credit.If you’re struggling to pay your payments or have run up a comparatively high quantity of vitality debt, schemes just like the British Gas Energy Trust’s Individual and Families Fund and the British Gas Energy Support Fund can write off wherever between £50 and £2,000 of debt on gasoline and electrical energy payments.There are a number of eligibility standards: it’s essential to have obtained advice from a money advice company earlier than you possibly can apply and you have to be utilizing the money to clear debt on your own property with an open account, in addition to another caveats.Other vitality companies additionally offer their own variations of related schemes so it is price checking immediately together with your provider.Averaged out throughout a 12 months, that may equal £166 of assist for payments monthly.Free prescriptions – £118 per 12 months, £9.90 monthlyIf you are claiming Universal Credit and you earn much less than a specified threshold – £435 per evaluation period – you may be eligible for the NHS Help with Health Costs scheme, which incorporates free prescriptions price £118 per 12 months, or £9.90 monthly on present prescription charge charges.Taken alltogether, somebody on Universal Credit capable of declare every ingredient of these freebies and discounts could be £4,028 per 12 months higher off, or £546 monthly (£9.10 plus £166 plus £171 plus £200).
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