THOUSANDS of Brits are set to receive benefits and Universal Credit TODAY, as the nation prepares for Her Majesty’s funeral.
Those receiving both Universal Credit and pension credit, among others, will receive their payment TODAY, three days earlier than expected.
This is because the Queen’s state funeral has been declared a bank holiday for Brits across the country, meaning payments need to be made today, rather than on Monday.
Universal Credit recipients aren’t the only ones who will receive their payments early.
Those claiming; Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payment, State Pension, Child Benefit/Guardian’s Allowance, Working Tax Credits and finally, Child Tax Credits will also get payments this week.
Read our live blog below for the latest updates….
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Some can still apply for housing benefit
Housing benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It’s being replaced by Universal Credit.
You can only make a new claim for housing benefit if either of the following apply:
- you have reached state pension age
- you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing
Check if you’re eligible for housing benefit before you apply.
You can apply:
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What is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is a £150 discount off energy bills.
You’ll qualify for the discount if you received any of the following benefits on August 21 this year:
The Department for Work and Pensions, who’s overseeing the scheme, will send you letter in October to confirm if you’ll get the payment later on in the year.
Payments for the £150 Warm Home Discount scheme will likely begin from December.
It’s up to individual energy companies to decide when they will give their customers the discount.
If you’re unsure about who supplies your energy, you can find out through Find My Supplier.
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Could we see the Nation Insurance rise reversed?
The centrepiece of next week’s “fiscal event” is likely to be Liz Truss’ flagship campaign promise to reverse the 1.25 percentage point rise in National Insurance.
Rishi Sunak hiked the levy last April to pay for the NHS and social care in a deeply controversial move.
He then eased the strain slightly by lifting the threshold point where people start paying the tax to £12,570.
But Brits are now in line for a further saving as Ms Truss will scrap the rise completely and wind it back to pre-April levels.
Critics say it will disproportionately benefit richer workers because they earn more and so will save more.
Here is a breakdown of how much you will save from the reversal:
- – A worker on £25,000 will save £155 a year
- – A worker on £40,000 will save £343 a year
- – A worker on £100,000 will save £1,093 a year
Anyone who earns less than £12,570 a year will continue not to pay any National Insurance at all.
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Check your benefit entitlement
Just because you get Universal Credit, it doesn’t mean that’ s all you can get.
Millions of Brits are missing out on benefits they’re entitled to adding up to billions of pounds in total unclaimed each year.
Benefit calculators can help you check what you could be entitled to.
For instance you might get extra cash if you’re looking after someone else or for housing costs.
There are several benefit checker tools you can use – here’s our guide.
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How do Universal Credit payments work?
The Sun spoke with Lee Healey, benefits expert at social enterprise IncomeMAX, who gave us a detailed breakdown of the Universal Credit system.
According to Healey, Universal Credit payments are made every calendar month, but if you’re working you may receive less.
If you’re paid weekly, every two weeks or every four weeks, you may get more payments from work than is usual during a calendar month.
Because Universal Credit is assessed on your monthly income, the system will pay you less in the month after the one where you’ve received extra pay packets.
But Lee said a lot of people were not aware if they received surplus pay packets one month, that their Universal Credit payment would drop, leaving them with less money than they’ve budgeted for.
He said: “You will need to be prepared for months where you’ll get two work payments and then your Universal Credit will go down the following month.”
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Tip: Ask energy providers about hardship funds
If you are struggling, ask your supplier what funds are available for you to apply for – you could save up to £2,575.
Here are a few energy provider grants to get you started:
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Key boiler tip to reduce energy bills
Allen Hart, a professional plumber from Leeds, has revealed to his 40,000 TikTok followers one key tip to reduce boiler costs.
Speaking in the video, Allen said: “If you want help to reduce your energy bills, it’s worth checking if you can turn your maximum flow rate down.
“You wouldn’t want to turn it too low if you’ve got a hot water cylinder, but you can do it on a combi.
“Just turn the flow temperature down and you boiler will more efficient and still burn the same amount of gas.”
Click here for a deep dive into reducing boiler bills.
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Benefits to arrive in bank accounts TODAY
As a result of Her Majesty’s funeral, the payment date for a number of benefits has been moved forward.
Rather than entering bank accounts on Monday, they will be received TODAY.
This should be the case if you claim any of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment
- State Pension
- Universal Credit
- Child Benefit/Guardian’s Allowance
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
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Get free debt advice
If you are struggling with debt, you are not alone.
There are a number of services designed to help Brits with debt troubles.
Here are some free services that may be of use:
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Will Universal Credit and other benefits rise in 2023?
The current allowance for single claimants over the age of 25 is around £334.91 a month.
If inflation remains at 9.9%, payments will grow by £33.16 a month to £368.07.
But inflation could still come in at more or less than this in September, or the government could decide to increase benefit rates by a different amount.
The exact amount you get will also depend on exactly how much your benefit payments are each month, as there are also extra amounts if you have children or caring responsibilities.
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Millions of Brits to see tax cuts next Friday
Liz Truss will cut millions of Brits’ taxes next week, as she announces a “mini-budget” aimed at preventing the incoming recession.
The Health and Social Care Levy is set to be scrapped, along with a planned rise in corporation tax next year.
The new PM will also announce further details of her wide-ranging cost of living plan next week.
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How Bulb energy customers will receive their £400 cost of living payment
Brits are set to receive £400 off their energy bills over the next six months, but each provider is offering the discount in a different form.
Bulb will pay its customers the discount in six instalments to help with rising costs this winter.
Here is an outline of Bulb’s payment structure:
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What energy help is out there?
There is plenty of help out there if you need it for your energy bills.
Recently, British Gas confirmed it would be granting its most vulnerable customers a grant worth up to £750.
Here is some of the help you may be entitled to.
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State pensions could grow to £200 a week as inflation continues to rise
New measures introduced by Liz Truss, combined with soaring inflation, could see state pensions see a massive boost, an expert has claimed.
Helen Morrisey, senior pensions and retirement analyst at financial services company Hargreaves Lansdown, said: “Inflation eased this month, but it still remains sky high and looks set to stay so for the foreseeable future.
“This means pensioners are in line for a significant pension boost next year as long as the government keeps its pledge to keep the triple lock.
“If the link to Consumer Price Index remains, then we could see pensioners on a full new state pension get more than £200 per week.”
She went on to say: “Last year’s 3.1% increase was no match for soaring inflation and has left many pensioners struggling and so a more generous increase will be welcomed.
“However, any such increase will not kick in until April which feels a very long way away right now for those struggling to make ends meet.”
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How do Universal Credit payments work?
The Sun spoke with Lee Healey, benefits expert at social enterprise IncomeMAX, who gave us a detailed breakdown of the Universal Credit system.
According to Healey, Universal Credit payments are made every calendar month, but if you’re working you may receive less.
If you’re paid weekly, every two weeks or every four weeks, you may get more payments from work than is usual during a calendar month.
Because Universal Credit is assessed on your monthly income, the system will pay you less in the month after the one where you’ve received extra pay packets.
But Lee said a lot of people were not aware if they received surplus pay packets one month, that their Universal Credit payment would drop, leaving them with less money than they’ve budgeted for.
He said: “You will need to be prepared for months where you’ll get two work payments and then your Universal Credit will go down the following month.”
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Household Support Fund
Extra cash totalling £500m has been handed to councils to give out to struggling families.
The Household Support Fund previously included vouchers to spend in the supermarket and for buying kids clothes in one area and £100 cash in another.
The help you can get depends on you location and your circumstances.
You can find your local council using this tool and searching you postcode. to see what help is available near to you.
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Iceland’s free food scheme is officially closed
Iceland has ended its £30 free food voucher scheme.
The budget supermarket chain offered the discount to vulnerable pensioners struggling during the cost of living crisis.
The budget supermarket teamed up the Rothesay Foundation in order to help hard-up Brits.
Throughout August, Iceland gave away over 40,000 vouchers.
Customers had until today to apply for the scheme.
However, a spokesperson for Iceland told The Sun on Wednesday, September 14: “We have now reached the limit of 80,000 vouchers allocated for this scheme so the campaign is now closed.”
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The key points of Liz Truss’s new Energy Price Guarantee
The PM announced a new energy plan last week, here are the key things you need to know.
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Tips for saving money on heating this winter
Speaking to the Sun, Myles Robinson an expert from Boiler Central, outlined what setting your heating should be at as we enter the winter.
Myles recommends that people set their thermostats between 18 and 21°c over the winter months.
He said: “To save money, we recommend putting on more layers of clothing. Also, investing in a higher quilt tog is a good way to keep your energy bills low in the long run and to maintain good sleep and health.”
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30 ways to save cash during the cost of living crisis
Every little change can help when bills are rising the way they are.
Here is a list of ways Brits have been saving money during the cost of living crisis.
- Turn the heating down
- Making sure lights are always turned off
- Buy own brand products at the supermarket
- Take lunch into work
- Turn off all electrics when not using/out of the home
- Wear a jumper instead of turning on the heating
- Save leftovers for another meal
- Using discount vouchers
- Use a clothesline instead of a tumble dryer
- Collect coupons and money off vouchers
- Buy second class stamps instead of first
- Buy eco-friendly/energy saving bulbs
- Cut down going out
- Shop in budget supermarkets
- Wait for the sales when making purchases
- Buy food and toiletries in bulk
- Turning off all the plugs before leaving the house
- Haggle my home/car insurance
- Price compare at different grocery stores
- Borrow books from your library
- Shop at second hand/charity stores
- Using public transport instead of taxis
- Cut your own hair
- Spend your weekend taking part in free activities
- Go to supermarkets in the evening for yellow sticker deals
- Grow your own vegetables and herbs
- Drink water when eating in restaurants
- Using an older or hand-me-down phone rather than buying the newest model
- Reduce your television/internet packages to the bare minimum
- Selling anything you possibly can on an online marketplace
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Do you need to claim the £150 cost of living payment?
Six million people with disabilities will start receiving the £150 cost of living payment next Tuesday, but do you need to claim it?
You won’t need to claim the payment, if you are eligible it should arrive in your bank account after September 20.
Designed to help with soaring energy bills, this payment will aid in paying for some of the expensive equipment disabled Brits have to use.
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Interest in Don’t Pay UK grew in August, report claims
Interest in the Don’t Pay movement reportedly skyrocketed in August.
The movement calls on Brits to end their direct debits and stop paying their bills.
AskGamblers.com said: “The sharp rise in the cost-of-living is putting a strain on millions of UK households.
“The Don’t Pay movement is gaining huge momentum, with visits to the website exploding to over six times the amount in one month, to 1.5 million.
“It’s a worrying sign that energy bills are becoming unaffordable for millions. However, it is advised to communicate with your energy supplier rather than refusing to pay altogether.”
Experts have advised against Don’t Pay, which can seriously damage your credit score.
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Are you eligible for cost of living direct payment due in the coming days?
Millions of Brits are set to receive a £150 cost of living payment in a matter of days.
But are you eligible?
If you claim any of the following benefits, you will be eligible to receive the payment:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
To check if you are eligible, log into your DWP online account and check if you’re claiming one of the above benefits.
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Benefits to arrive in bank accounts TODAY
As a result of Her Majesty’s funeral, the payment date for a number of benefits has been moved forward.
Rather than entering bank accounts on Monday, they will be received TODAY.
This should be the case if you claim any of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment
- State Pension
- Universal Credit
- Child Benefit/Guardian’s Allowance
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
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Key facts to know if bailiffs come to your home
As the cost of living crisis worsens, many Brits may find themselves in some form of debt, and seeing bailiffs at your door can often be a daunting prospect.
But, Brits do have rights when it comes to debt collection, and it is crucial that you know them.
The Sun spoke with Jonathan Chesterman, debt advice policy manager at charity StepChange, about his four key steps for debt collection.
- Don’t ignore the situation
- You don’t have to open your door
- You can hide goods
- Be in the know about paperwork
For a deep dive into each of these options, click here
