Tag: #UniversalCredits

Millions reminded to get £150 off energy bills this winter

Households eligible for the Warm Home Discount must be named on their energy bill by 23 August to receive it automatically this winter. People receiving means-tested benefits must be named on their energy bill by 23rd August 2026 to receive the £150 Warm Home Discount  Around six million households will get the rebate this winter, including around 250,000 automatically for the first time in Scotland  Reminder follows immediate action to remove VAT from … Continue reading Millions reminded to get £150 off energy bills this winter →

DWP blocks £1 billion in incorrect payments

Over £1 billion of Universal Credit payments stopped by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – and set to reach £13.6 billion by 2030. Drive to block incorrect payments significantly ramped up since last summer. Government efforts continue to protect taxpayers’ money from fraud, error and waste to reinvest in public services as part … Continue reading DWP blocks £1 billion in incorrect payments →

Income boost for millions of pensioners and working people.

Millions of pensioners receive as much as £470 more a year added to their State Pension due to the pensions Triple Lock Millions of pensioners receive up to an additional £470 in their State Pension. The Triple Lock means those receiving the State Pension are set to increase by up to £1,900 over the term … Continue reading Income boost for millions of pensioners and working people. →

Biggest shake up to welfare system

Largest welfare reforms … to help sick and disabled people who can and have the potential to work into jobs - backed by a £1 billion investment, unveiled by the Work & Pensions Secretary Tuesday 18th March 2025 Work Capability Assessment to be scrapped and “right to try” work guarantee to be introduced Changes to … Continue reading Biggest shake up to welfare system →

Almost two million people on Universal Credit not supported to look for work

Number of people on the highest rate of Universal Credit with no support to look for work has almost quadrupled since the pandemic Figures show 1.8 million people now in Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA) category as broken Work Capability Assessment continues to push people out of work New figures emerge ahead of … Continue reading Almost two million people on Universal Credit not supported to look for work →

Universal Credit payments – Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025

Universal Credit payments due on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day will be paid on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.  Additional support for struggling families also available from the government’s extended Household Support Fund.  Part of the Government’s commitment to put more money into people’s pockets through the Plan for Change. Some Universal Credit … Continue reading Universal Credit payments – Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025 →

Check your eligibility for winter support schemes

Cold Weather Payments take effect from 1st November 2024 as low-income households set to get £25 during cold snaps. Alongside the £150 Warm Home Discount to support eligible customers with energy bills and extension to Household Support Fund Pensioners urged to check eligibility for Pension Credit to claim the Winter Fuel Payment From 1st November … Continue reading Check your eligibility for winter support schemes →

Autumn Budget 2024: putting more money in people’s pockets

According to the government, working people are the lifeblood of our economy. The government is not increasing the basic, higher or additional rates of Income Tax, National Insurance, or VAT.   They state that the following are just some of the measures announced at the Autumn Budget 2024 that will help put more money into your … Continue reading Autumn Budget 2024: putting more money in people’s pockets →

Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025 – when are the Bank Holidays and what about paying early?

For the second year running, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day don’t fall on weekends and there are no substitute days. So when are the Christmas and New Year Bank holidays? For England Wales and Northern Ireland matches: In Scotland there are variations and an alternate day applies for St Andrew’s day which would normally … Continue reading Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025 – when are the Bank Holidays and what about paying early? →

Six months to move from Tax Credit to Universal Credit 

DWP is urging Tax Credit claimants to respond to their Universal Credit migration notices so they continue to receive benefits. Tax credits are closing in April 2025 and claimants must respond to their migration notices to continue receiving benefits. Those affected have three months from the date on their migration notice to apply for Universal … Continue reading Six months to move from Tax Credit to Universal Credit  →

DWP plan to catch benefit cheats 

Department for Work and Pensions announces it has saved £1.3 billion from fraud and error  Government updates plan to further crack down on benefit cheats, including creating new legal powers and hiring more staff Changes expected to save the taxpayer £9 billion by 2027/2028, and follows Prime Minister’s sweeping welfare reform package last month The Government reveals that it has saved the taxpayer … Continue reading DWP plan to catch benefit cheats  →

Time to renew for tax credits

Tax credits claimants are due to receive their renewal notice from 2nd May. Around 730,000 tax credits claimants will start receiving their annual renewal notices from this week. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said claimants will receive them between 2nd May and 19th June 2024. The vast majority will be automatically renewed. Notices with a … Continue reading Time to renew for tax credits →

Fraudsters behind benefits scam brought to justice

A group who stole over £50 million of taxpayers’ money has been brought to justice in the largest ever benefit fraud case in England and Wales. Five people who stole £53.9 million through fabricated benefit claims have been brought to justice in England and Wales’ largest benefit fraud case  Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) … Continue reading Fraudsters behind benefits scam brought to justice →

Working parents on Universal Credit set receive up to £20,872 a year in childcare support

Parents on Universal Credit can now receive up to £1,311 more a year in childcare support following a 6.7% boost coming into effect, as the government’s expansion of free childcare for working parents delivers 150,000 places in a week. Parents receiving Universal Credit to receive boost to childcare support. Parents who are keen to get … Continue reading Working parents on Universal Credit set receive up to £20,872 a year in childcare support →

Half a million set to benefit from back to work support 

Half a million people claiming old benefits will be invited to claim Universal Credit, unlocking all the work support it offers.DWP Expansion of move to Universal Credit will help 500,000 more people unlock the employment support on offer. Letters will be sent to people on certain benefits notifying them of the action they need to … Continue reading Half a million set to benefit from back to work support  →

Employment support launched -Back to Work

New Back to Work Plan to help up to 1,100,000 people with long-term health conditions, disabilities or long-term unemployment to look for and stay in work. Additional support comes alongside tougher sanctions for people who don’t look for work, as part of the next generation of welfare reforms. Includes exploring reforms of the fit note … Continue reading Employment support launched -Back to Work →

£146 million in bonus payments for Help to Save

HMRC encourages sign up to Help to Save, the government savings scheme, after revealing savers shared £146 million in bonus payments. Help to Save account holders have received £146 million in bonus payments since the scheme launched in September 2018 and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging individuals to take advantage of the generous … Continue reading £146 million in bonus payments for Help to Save →

Universal Credit employment boost for parents

Thousands of parents on Universal Credit will be supported to increase their chances of getting a job or up their work hours Unemployed parents are given more support to get back into work Move follows over 45 per cent increase to support with childcare costs for parents on Universal Credit, as UK Government ‘backs working … Continue reading Universal Credit employment boost for parents →

Employment support boost for over 30,000 economically inactive young people

The expansion of the Youth Offer to inactive claimants, for the first time, will begin immediately to help young people into work and improve wellbeing. Department for Work and Pensions’ Youth Offer to expand, providing tens of thousands more young people support to find work. More young people claiming Universal Credit will have access to … Continue reading Employment support boost for over 30,000 economically inactive young people →

Cost of Living payment dates

Millions of households across the UK will receive £300 directly from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) between 31st October and 19th November. Millions of households to receive £300 from DWP between 31st October and 19th November 2023 This is the second of 3 payments totalling up to £900 supporting eligible people on means-tested … Continue reading Cost of Living payment dates →

Tax Credits are ending

Tax credits are coming to an end, and most people will need to apply for Universal Credit instead. You won’t be moved automatically, so it’s important to act quickly, otherwise your benefits will stop, you will need to claim Universal Credit by the deadline Apply for Universal Credit Universal Credit is the replacement benefits system … Continue reading Tax Credits are ending →

Not renewed you tax credit claim? You have less than a week until the deadline!

The deadline for tax credits customers to renew their claim is on 31st July. HM Revenue and Customs have indicated that mote than 171,350 tax credits claimants have until 31st July 2023 to renew their annual claim and is urging them to not miss out. Claimants who received a renewal pack with a red line … Continue reading Not renewed you tax credit claim? You have less than a week until the deadline! →

Working parents to benefit from childcare boost worth up to £1,630 per month

As part of one of the Prime Minister’s five key priorities to grow the economy, low-earning parents on Universal Credit are set to benefit from up to a £522 monthly boost to cover childcare costs – making it easier for them to get back to work or increase their hours. Universal Credit childcare payments rise … Continue reading Working parents to benefit from childcare boost worth up to £1,630 per month →

Massive boost for childcare

Universal Credit’s maximum childcare payments will rise nearly 50% – up to £1,630 per month – from 28th June 2023. Additional support worth up to £522 a month for families Many parents will get help from DWP immediately with their first bill – instead of in arrears – to help them manage their budgets Comes alongside plans … Continue reading Massive boost for childcare →

Help to Save extended to April 2025

Please share this message with your networks, to help raise awareness of the Help to Save scheme with those who may be eligible The governments’ Help to Save scheme for those on low incomes, has been extended until April 2025. The scheme offers a bonus of 50p for every £1 saved. Savers can deposit between … Continue reading Help to Save extended to April 2025 →

Tax credits – 1.5 million renewal packs

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is to issue 1.5 million annual tax credits renewal packs for the 2023 to 2024 tax year between 2nd May and 15th June 2023. Claimants will have until 31st July 2023 to check the information is correct and notify HMRC of any changes to their circumstances which may affect their … Continue reading Tax credits – 1.5 million renewal packs →

Drive to help workers on Universal Credit boost prospects

UniversalCredit claimants in work across Great Britain can now benefit from extra support to help secure promotions and higher wages DWP ramps up drive to help low earners increase their wages and encourage employers to support career progression. Universal Credit claimants are securing job promotions and better pay after local Jobcentres step in with specialist In … Continue reading Drive to help workers on Universal Credit boost prospects →

HMRC drops the ‘best practice’ BACS Hash

Bacs hash not required from 2023-24 On Monday 13th February 2023, the HM Revenue and Customs Software Developers Support confirmed to the software developer community the end of the BACS hash! A compulsory feature of 10 tax years for many has now been dropped. Once claimed that RTI BACS is such a powerful validation of … Continue reading HMRC drops the ‘best practice’ BACS Hash →

Administrative Earnings Threshold to rise for Universal Credit Jobseekers

Around 114,000 people on Universal Credit will be supported to increase their pay while getting access to more one-on-one time with a Work Coach. Workers on low incomes will be able to earn more and still receive intensive support. The changes will bring tens of thousands of claimants of all ages across Great Britain into … Continue reading Administrative Earnings Threshold to rise for Universal Credit Jobseekers →

Benefits and credits to be paid early ahead of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral

The government has confirmed that payments of benefits normally due in accounts on Monday 19th September 2022 will be made early. Those expecting to receive benefits and credits on Monday 19th September 2022 will be paid early Benefits and credits will be paid on Friday 16th September 2022, the last working day before the recently … Continue reading Benefits and credits to be paid early ahead of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral →

Cheaper broadband for struggling families

Broadband bills could be cut for millions of low-income households under plans to encourage social tariffs. New system allows customers to give permission to broadband providers to confirm their eligibility for cheaper dealsPlans come alongside further deals secured by Cost of Living Business Tsar and former Just Eat boss, David Buttress, as part of the … Continue reading Cheaper broadband for struggling families →

Funding boost to Citizens Advice to deliver ‘Help to Claim’ Universal Credit support

Free confidential and impartial support to help people make a Universal Credit claim will continue to be delivered across Great Britain for the fourth year running. The Department for Work and Pensions ‘Help to Claim’ support will be delivered independently by Citizens Advice, in partnership with Citizens Advice Scotland, following a further £21.3 million investment. … Continue reading Funding boost to Citizens Advice to deliver ‘Help to Claim’ Universal Credit support →