UK households could claim more than £8,000 this December to help with winter costs. Eligible people who claim Universal Credit could be entitled to extra financial support worth £8,017.22.
As reported by The Sun, this total includes benefits you already qualify for, cash grants, and discounts that could save you hundreds of pounds.
Each is designed to help people get through the winter months.
To find out more, this comprehensive list will explain some of the financial aid you could be eligible for.
But remember some of these only available to those who claim Universal Credit – a monthly payment to help with your living costs.
Household Support Fund – up to £500
The Household Support Fund was created to help people living in low income households in need. However, how much you can get will vary depending on where you live.
Each local council has different rules about who is eligible, what help will be awarded and the maximum amount you can get. The highest payment is in Camden, in London, which provides payments of up to £500.
Some councils provide this support in the form of food vouchers to school meals for children in the holidays. You will need to check with your local authority to see what is available in your area.
Council Tax discount – up to £1628.25
As the name suggests, this support is provided in the form of a discount rather than a cash payment. This is available to households on a low income, including if you receive Universal Credit.
But how much will be deducted depends on your total income (including some benefits), whether you’re single or in a couple, if you or anyone living with you is disabled and whether or not you have children.
Typically, reductions for working age people go up to 75 percent but it is possible to have the bill cancelled in some cases if you’re in severe financial hardship. As an example, a 75 percent reduction on a Band D home with average council tax payments would save you £1,628.25.
Energy bill grants – up to £1,700
Multiple energy suppliers offer grants for people who are struggling to pay their bills. The main ones to consider are:
- British Gas Energy Trust
- Scottish Power Hardship Fund
- Ovo Energy Fund
- EON Energy Fund
- EON Next Energy Fund
- EDF Energy Customer Support Fund
- Octopus Octo Assist Fund
- Boost Power Energy Bills Support Fund
- Shell Energy
- SSE
- Utilitia
The worth of the grant varies depending on the provider. However, the British Gas Energy Fund says it will clear debts of up to £1,700.
Discretionary Housing Payment – £518 on average
Discretionary Housing Payments are given to provide financial support to help with rent or housing costs. You are eligible if you currently get either housing benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit.
You may get a DHP to cover housing costs for a rent shortfall, rent deposits or rent in advance if you need to move home.
How much you can get depends on your financial situation and your local council. At the start of this year the average DHP was £518.
Welfare assistance scheme
Local Welfare Assistance is there to give emergency financial support to help people on low incomes. The money is awarded by local councils and you will need to be on certain benefits to get the help, often including Universal Credit.
The amount given will depend on your circumstances and your council’s rules. And some councils will have different amounts for different types of need.
Free childcare – up to £1,739.37 a month
Those on Universal Credit can claim up to 85 percent of your childcare costs back, up to a certain limit. This can go towards nursery, but also approved after school and holiday clubs.
The maximum you can claim per month is £1,014.63 for one child, or £1,739.37 for two or more children.
Flexible support fund – £150
This money is there to help Universal Credit claimants with job-related expenses and can cover things such as childcare, travel, and work clothing or uniforms. You can get up to £150 to cover training, and the amounts for other needs are discretionary.
There’s no maximum limit. You need to apply through your local JobCentre.
Help to Save – £25 in December
This programme is there to help people on Universal Credit build up their savings. You will get a 50 percent bonus on everything you save into the account, up to a maximum of £300 a year.
This is capped to £50 each month, so for December the maximum you can earn is £25. If you continue to put away the max amount for four years you will see a return of £1,200.
DWP Christmas Bonus
Anyone on Universal Credit is paid a Christmas bonus by the Department for Work and Pensions worth £10. The money should appear in your account automatically at some point in December.
School uniform grants – up to £200
Council grants can provide up to £200 towards the cost of your child’s school uniform. The amounts and eligibility criteria vary depending on your council.
For example, parents in Wales get £200, while amounts in England vary from £25 to £170. And some councils don’t offer grants at all, so check your local authority website to see what’s available.
Healthy Start – £42.50
If you’re more than ten weeks pregnant or have a child under the age of four, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. This includes:
- Plain liquid cow’s milk
- Fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
- Fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
- Infant formula milk based on cow’s milk
You get £4.25 each week of your pregnancy from the 10th week, £8.50 each week until your child is one, and £4.25 when they are aged between one and four years old. In December that totals a maximum of £42.50.
To qualify, your household’s take-home pay from earned income must be less than £408 a month.
Warm Homes Discount scheme
Again this is not a cash payment but a discount on your bills, specifically a £150 reduction in your energy bills, which is paid directly to your supplier. Not all suppliers are signed up to the scheme so you may have to switch to benefit.
NHS costs
If you get Universal Credit, you may qualify for free NHS prescriptions, dental care and eye tests. How much you save will depend on how many prescriptions you need each year and what other dental, eye, or health treatments you use.
Cheap broadband – up to £15 a month
Many broadband suppliers offer a social tariff for people on low incomes. Deals can vary from £14.99 a month to £20 a month with an up front fee.
Water bills
Every water company has a social tariff scheme to help reduce your bills for those on a low income. Who is eligible for help and the level of support varies depending on your water company.
Help with funeral costs – up to £1,000
People on Universal Credit can get help with funeral fees for a partner, stillborn baby, or child under 16 (or under 20 if they’re still in approved education).
This can help pay for some of the costs of:
- Burial fees
- Cremation fees
- Travel to arrange or go to the funeral
- The cost of moving the body within the UK, if it’s being moved more than 50 miles
- Death certificates or other documents
You can also get up to £1,000 for any other funeral expenses, such as funeral director’s fees, flowers or the coffin. How much you get depends on your circumstances and typically won’t cover the full costs.
Maternity Grant – £500
If you’re pregnant with your first child and receive Universal Credit you can get a maternity grant worth £500. You can claim from 11 weeks before the week your baby is due until six months after your baby is born.