A LITTLE known way means those claiming Universal Credit could cut their travel costs by up to 50% off.
The cost of living crisis means many of us are finding it hard to make ends meet, particularly those on benefits.
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But if you are claiming financial help, then there are ways to get discounts and extra support.
For example, people on Universal Credit and sometimes Jobseeker’s Allowance can get discounts on travel costs.
Recipients of both can apply for a JobCentre Plus Travel Discount Card.
It’s available for free and cuts the cost of travelling on public transport, including buses and trains, by 50%.
All train operators in England, Scotland and Wales accept the discount and cards are valid for up to three months.
Those eligible must:
- Be claiming Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Be between 18 and 24 years’ old and have been unemployed for 13 to 39 weeks.
- Be aged 25 and over and unemployed for 13 to 52 weeks.
To apply, you’ll need to go to a JobCentre Plus office.
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You can find your nearest one by heading to https://find-your-nearest-jobcentre.dwp.gov.uk/.
But just because you’re on benefits, it doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get one – they’re handed out by Jobcentre staff on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the work coaches.
To find out if you qualify for the boost, speak to your work coach at your nearest Jobcentre, which you can find via Gov.uk.
In addition, those on Universal Credit can also apply for The Restart Scheme.
It can help cover the costs associated with finding a job, including travel, childcare and other expenses.
If you’re on the scheme ask the provider or your work coach about how to claim.
The Flexible Support Fund is a pot of money that has been put aside by the government to help you with the costs of getting a job.
The fund is managed by local job centres and can be used to cover the following costs of job hunting:
The fund is managed by local job centres and can be used to cover the following costs of job hunting:
- Training for a job, up to £150
- Travel to interviews
- Childcare
- Tools for work
- Cost of medical evidence required by a disabled person
- Clothing and uniforms to start work
- Support for single parents in financial emergencies in the first 26 weeks of starting a job.
What other help is available?
If you’re on Universal Credit, then there is other help out there.
Free milk, fruit and veg
The Healthy Start scheme offers thousands of parents on low incomes help to feed their kids.
You get a prepaid card and payments worth up to £442 a year for those claiming certain benefits.
You can start getting the cash from ten weeks pregnant up to when the child turns four.
The card can be used at major supermarkets and shops to but the following:
- cow’s milk
- fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables
- infant formula milk
- fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
Check out how to apply for the Healthy Start scheme in our guide.
Free childcare
If you claim Universal Credit, you might be able to get a refund on most of your childcare costs.
You can claim back 85% of childcare costs up to £646 for one child or £1,108 for two or more up to August 31 following the child’s 16th birthday.
You will have to pay your childcare costs yourself up front and then claim the money back through Universal Credit.
The Sun has been calling on the government to change rules and pay parents up-front for childcare costs, as part of our Make Universal Credit Work campaign.
Parents may also be able to take advantage of other childcare support, whether you’re claiming Universal Credit or not, including up to 30 hours free childcare.
Free prescriptions and dental treatment
You could also get help with covering health costs, such as paying for your prescriptions and dental treatment.
To claim, you’ll need to show a copy of your Universal Credit award notice.
You won’t be able to claim on health costs before you were deemed eligible for the Universal Credit.
You could also get help with the cost of glasses and contact lenses and money for travel costs for treatment.
The NHS has outlined more information on how to go about claiming here.
Cost of living payment
Millions of hard-up households will have already received the first instalment of the £900 cost of living payment.
The first payment, which will be £301, will be paid directly into bank accounts between April 25 and May 17.
Millions have already been paid though a small number are still waiting.
For those receiving the £301 payment from the DWP, it will show in your bank account as “DWP COLP” along with your National Insurance (NI) number.
For example, if your NI number is JT 83 42 97B your payment will show up as “DWP COLP JT 83 42 97B” on your statement.
The £301 payment is the first out of three that will be made – the remaining two, worth £300 and £299 will be made this autumn and in spring 2024 respectively.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
