2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (James Rodger)
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More info × Group 28 Thank you for subscribing! We have more newsletters Show Me No thanks, close See our Privacy Notice There are nine Universal Credit loopholes that could allow you to apply for additional financial support. Universal Credit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is a monthly payment designed to assist with living costs. Universal Credit may be available to those on a low income or who require help with living expenses.
This includes those who are out of work, working (including self-employment or part-time), or unable to work due to health conditions. To qualify, you must reside in the UK, be 18 or older (with some exceptions for those aged 16 to 17), and be below State Pension age. The DWP also stipulates that you must have £16,000 or less in cash, savings, and investments.
Your total Universal Credit payment can fluctuate based on your earnings during each assessment period. Therefore, if your earnings exceed the usual amount during one assessment period, your total Universal Credit payment might decrease. However, there are ways to potentially increase your earnings, reports Birmingham Live .
Reduce payment deductions When you begin working, your Universal Credit will decrease. For every £1 you earn, your UC payment decreases by 55p. Your income will consist of your wages plus your reduced UC payment.
If you claim housing benefit, have a disability, or are responsible for a child, you may be able to earn more without reducing the payment. Childcare If you're a working parent paying for childcare, Universal Credit can cover some of your costs. This includes expenses for holiday clubs, after-school clubs and breakfast clubs.
If you cohabit with a partner, both of you need to be employed unless your partner is unable to care for your children. You can receive up to 85% of your childcare costs back. The maximum amount for each assessment period is: £1,031.
88 for one child or £1,768.94 for two or more children. Advance payment You can request an advance payment by calling the Universal Credit helpline or applying through your online account.
You can make this request up to one month after you apply for Universal Credit. It's advisable to do so as soon as possible. After claiming Universal Credit, it will take at least five weeks for you to receive your first payment.
To apply, you can reach out to your local Job Centre work coach or call the UC helpline on 0800 328 5644. Budgeting advance You might qualify for a loan as part of your Universal Credit if you need to cover a specific expense – this is known as a 'budgeting advance'. If you receive a budgeting advance, your Universal Credit payments will be reduced until you've repaid the borrowed amount.
This will typically be over 24 months if you requested the advance on or after 4 December 2024. If you requested the advance before that, it will usually be paid over 12 months. The minimum amount you can borrow is £100.
You could get up to: £348 if you’re single; £464 if you have a partner; £812 if you or your partner claim child benefit. Waived minimum income floor The minimum income floor is determined by what a person of your age would earn on the National Living Wage after tax and National Insurance Contributions. If your earnings exceed the minimum, the Government will calculate your Universal Credit payment based on your actual income.
If you earn less, the government will base your earnings on the minimum income floor. Alternative payment arrangements Alternative payment arrangements are available for households who find it difficult to manage a monthly Universal Credit payment. For instance, if you're having trouble paying your rent, you can arrange for the money to be sent directly to your landlord.
Council Tax reduction Eligibility for Council Tax reduction varies between councils, but typically, individuals on a low income, those claiming state benefits or with savings under £16,000 could qualify for a discounted Council Tax rate. Moreover, if you live alone or with a disabled person, this discount could be increased. The amount you save will depend on your council tax rate, which is set by your local authority and the type of property you live in.
For some, this could result in annual savings of thousands of pounds. Other freebies People receiving Universal Credit may not always be aware of the full range of benefits it offers, beyond the monthly DWP payments. Proving eligibility for this benefit can unlock a variety of savings, discounts, freebies and access to certain financial support schemes exclusive to Universal Credit claimants.
These benefits could lead to annual savings of up to £10,250. However, some of these perks and freebies have additional eligibility criteria beyond the Universal Credit requirements, meaning they may not be available to everyone. Household Support Fund Assistance with essential costs may be available from your local council through what is sometimes referred to as 'the Household Support Fund'.
This could be beneficial if you're finding it difficult to cover costs such as energy and water bills, food and essential items. Your council might also provide food vouchers to families during the school holidays. The funding is targeted at those who are vulnerable or unable to afford essentials.
You do not need to be receiving benefits to get help from your local council. If you are receiving benefits, they will not be impacted if you receive a payment from a Household Support Fund scheme. Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks.
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