People claiming Universal Credit may be eligible for much more than just the monthly allowance they get in their bank account.
Dependent on individual circumstances, up to nine different entitlements can be claimed by those who receive the benefit.
As reported by the Daily Express, this additional financial assistance may help families struggling amid the UK cost of living crisis.
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People in the UK who claim Universal Credit may be entitled to the following extra support:
- Help with health costs
- Help towards housing payments
- Free school meals
- Free early education for two-year-olds
- Sure Start maternity grants
- Cold Weather Payments
- Support with travel costs to attend job interviews or start work
- Support with clothing costs related to work
- Support with upfront childcare costs.
Help with NHS costs is dependent on an individual's earnings from their most recent assessment period — with those earning £435 or less entitled to free or reduced NHS healthcare costs.
If a Universal Credit claimant's application includes an element for a child, or if they have a limited capability for work and are earning under £935, then they are also due free or reduced NHS healthcare costs.
Housing payments help is accessible for recipients who are not given enough money through their payments to afford rent.
People claiming Universal Credit may also be eligible for reductions on council tax, which can be applied for immediately even before their Universal Credit claim is approved.
Claimants can also get assistance to save, and may be able to open a Help to Save account — which offers a bonus of 50p for every £1 saved over four years.
Universal Credit is a benefit for those looking for work or on a low income and mainly takes into account one’s expenses and income to decide the rate they will receive.
EU, EEA or Swiss citizens staying in the UK may need settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to get Universal Credit.
To claim, Britons must meet all of the below criteria:
- Live in the UK
- Aged 18 or over
- Under the state pension age
- Have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments.
Additionally, claimants living with their partners will need to make a joint claim for the entire household regardless of whether their partner is actually eligible.
This means that the amount claimants receive is also affected by their partner’s income and savings.
If only one person in a household has reached state pension age they must still claim Universal Credit as a couple although the claim will stop when both parties reach state pension age.
People who meet any of the following criteria whilst being in full-time education can also make a claim for Universal Credit:
- They live with a partner who is eligible for Universal Credit
- They are responsible for a child as a single person or a couple
- They reached state pension age but live with a partner who has not.
