All the things you can get financial help with

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Financial Help

Claimants of Universal Credit could be due thousands worth of extra financial of extra help, but may not be aware of it.

Low income Brits are struggling with their household budgets in the face of rising costs – from household bills like gas and electricity to food and general cost of living – but they could get up to thirty different kinds of assistance.

Universal Credit claimants almost doubled during the pandemic to 6 million Brits, and more than a third of these are working but claiming from the Department for Work and Pensions because their income is not high enough on its own. Benefits than can be claimed include Council Tax reduction.

Shockingly, 15 billion pounds of benefit money is lost every year by not being claimed, with pensioners missing out the most. More than a quarter of million older people also don’t claim Housing Benefit which could save them £4,000 per year.

A complete list of help available…

Experts say one of the main problems remains that there is a stigma attached to asking for help, although people may genuinely not be aware that this help is available. So here’s a list of benefits you could be claiming to help you through hard times, each one is linked to more information:

• Reduced council tax bills
  Capped water bills
  Half price bus
  Discounted rail fares
  Free or discounted gym membership
  Help with new job costs
  Warm Home Discount Scheme of £140 off fuel bills
  £25 in Cold Weather Payments
  Free or cheap broadband from TalkTalk, Virgin Media and BT
• Free prescriptions for people with zero income or those on a low income
  Free dental treatment
  Eye tests and discounted glasses
  Free school transport
  Free school meals
  Discounted childcare costs
  £150 towards school uniforms – dependent on the local authority
  £1,200 free cash as part of the Government’s Help to Save scheme
  Food vouchers for kids as part of the Healthy Start scheme
  Maternity grant up to £1,000
  Disabled Facilities Grant (up to £30,000) to make changes to a home
  Homeowners can apply for up to £10,000 to pay for a boiler
• Homeowners can get help to pay for double glazing as part of the Green Homes Scheme
  Up to £300 in Winter Fuel Payments
  Free wigs or fabric support provided by the NHS
  Free health travel costs
  Help with housing costs
  Help with funeral costs
  Bereavement support payments

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