MILLIONS 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….
-
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.”
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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
-
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 Friday, September 16, 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.”
-
Iceland ends free food voucher scheme
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 Friday, September 16, 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.”
-
What temperature should your house be to save money 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.”
-
Fuel theft rampant as prices skyrocket
Fuel theft is reportedly rife across the UK, as gas prices continue to rise.
Experts say the thefts are costing the industry up to £50million.
FairFuelUK said: “A mounting number of drivers are risking criminal records by not paying.”
Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association, added: “We reckon the problem could be nearly double that.
“Some police forces won’t attend if the value is below £100. Many police forces have said they haven’t got the manpower.”
-
Get cheap broadband if you claim Universal Credit
A number of broadband providers offer cheap deals for those on certain benefits.
It will differ depending on which provider you use, but these deals can often be claimed over the phone.
TalkTalk, Virgin Media and BT are three companies currently offering deals.
-
An unexpected announcement
MPs believe the Chancellor is also planning a major cost of living announcement – which could see a planned cut to income tax be brought forward.
The PM also suggested last week a cut to fuel duty could be on the cards – as The Sun has campaigned to keep low.
-
Energy bailout details set to be announced
At some point next week the PM will provide more details about the £150 billion energy bill bailout, with businesses waiting on tenterhooks for more information about how to access the desperately-needed support.
Last week, the government announced multi-billion pound package to save typical Brits £1,000 by protecting them from crippling global gas costs.
Bills were set to rise to £3,500 in October and more than £6,000 next April in a terrifying prospect for most households.
However in a mammoth intervention – which could cost more than furlough – Ms Truss is now going to cap costs from October 1, with the typical family paying no more than £2,500.
Under the plan to cap wholesale costs ministers estimate a family in a detached house will spend no more than £3,300, a semi-detached £2,650, a bungalow £2,450 and a flat £1,750.
Businesses will benefit from the scheme for just six months, but vulnerable firms could get more support.
More details on how businesses can access the help should be confirmed next week.
-
Health and Social Care Levy
The PM is expected to slash the Health and Social Care Levy that was brought in under the Boris Johnson government in April.
During the Tory leadership campaign Ms Truss said she hated the tax hike and vowed to get rid of it.
For some people it costed them hundreds of pounds extra a year.
On Friday it’s set to be scrapped.
-
Switching bank accounts can help you save during the cost of living crisis
Finding new ways to save will be crucial as the cost of living continues to worsen.
According to Andrew Hagger, a personal finance expert, switching bank accounts could save you some impressive sums if you make the right decision.
He said: “The switching process is really simple now.
“So if you are not happy with the service or rates from your bank, now is a great time to consider jumping ship and getting a nice cash bonus for your troubles.”
-
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.
-
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.
-
Fuel theft rampant as prices skyrocket
Fuel theft is reportedly rife across the UK, as gas prices continue to rise.
Experts say the thefts are costing the industry up to £50million.
FairFuelUK said: “A mounting number of drivers are risking criminal records by not paying.”
Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association, added: “We reckon the problem could be nearly double that.
“Some police forces won’t attend if the value is below £100. Many police forces have said they haven’t got the manpower.”
-
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.
-
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.”
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
