The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides a wide variety of payments and discounts to those who need it most – here’s a full list of what you could be entitled to
A wave of additional financial support could be on the horizon for people across the UK, aimed at helping with living costs and energy bills this winter. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and other authorities offers a range of payments and discounts to those most in need.
This assistance can take the form of cash payments through specific monthly benefit payments, discounts applied directly to your energy bills or extra help to pay for the rent at your property. While eligibility will vary significantly depending on the support you apply for, it’s important to note that most of the help listed below is primarily designed to assist those on a low income, among other circumstances.
You may also be able to claim more than one of the supports included below, helping you to save more money and get more financial support in the long run. Read below for a comprehensive breakdown on all the support you could receive if you or your family are living on a low income.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a benefit that’s paid monthly in most cases and aims to help with living costs. How much you get from the benefit will depend on your personal situation; however, it can be provided at the following rates:
- Those who are single and under 25 – £316.98
- Those single and 25 or over – £400.13
- Those with a partner and both are under 25 – £497.55 (for both)
- Those with a partner and either are 25 or over – £628.10 (for both)
However, you may be able to get more than the above standard allowance, especially if you have children or a disability or a health condition. Full details of this can be found here.
You can be eligible for Universal Credit as long as you’re on a low income and need help with your living costs for reasons such as being out of work or being unable to work. You must also be aged 18 or over, be under the State Pension Age, live in the UK, and have £16,000 or less in money, savings, and investments.
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount scheme can provide a £150 cut to energy bills. This one-off discount is typically applied directly to your bill by your energy supplier, rather than being given as a cash payment.
However, those who use a pre-payment meter for their energy may receive the discount in the form of a voucher, depending on the supplier, which can then be used to top up your meter. Households will already have started receiving letters confirming their eligibility for the scheme from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ).
The government has issued guidance stating that you could be eligible for the Warm Home Discount this year if you’re on a low income, receiving a means-tested benefit, and either you or your partner’s name is on the electricity bill. The benefits that make you eligible include:
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Housing Benefit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- The ‘Savings Credit’ part of Pension Credit
- Income Support
Housing benefit
Housing benefit can provide extra financial help for rent if you are either unemployed, on a low income, or claiming benefits. While Housing Benefit is being replaced by Universal Credit, you can make a new claim if you’ve reached State Pension age or are living in supported, sheltered, or temporary housing.
However, you’ll be unable to make a claim if one of the following apply to you:
- Your savings are over £16,000 – unless you get Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit
- You’re paying a mortgage on your own home – you may be able to get Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
- You live in the home of a close relative
- You’re already claiming Universal Credit (unless you’re in temporary or supported housing)
- You live with your partner and they are already claiming Housing Benefit
- You’re a full-time student
- You’re residing in the UK as a European Economic Area (EEA) jobseeker
- You’re an asylum seeker or sponsored to be in the UK
- You’re subject to immigration control and your granted leave states that you cannot claim public funds
- You’re a Crown Tenant
- You’ve reached State Pension age but your live-in partner has not – unless you had an existing claim as a couple before 15 May 2019
Full details can be found here.
National Concessionary Fuel Scheme
Ex-employees of the National Coal Board or British Coal Board could receive free solid fuel or a cash allowance for fuel. If you qualify through the fuel allowance scheme, you will receive a delivery of solid fuel every four or five weeks, depending on where you live, however, this can be changed to a cash allowance if you already get fuel through the scheme and your circumstances haven’t changed.
In order to check you’re eligibility, you may need to contact the NCFO helpline by either emailing ncfo@capita.co.uk or dialling 0345 759 0529 or 0370 386 9961.
Full details on how to apply can be found here.
Council Tax Reduction
You may be able to get a significant reduction on your council tax bill through your local authority if you’re on a low income. In England alone, over 2.5 million people receive a discount on their council tax.
Each local council runs its own Council Tax support scheme, so the level of assistance varies nationwide. The support you receive depends on several factors, including the benefits you receive, your age, income, savings, who you live with, and how much council tax you pay.
