People claiming Universal Credit can get lower bills and grants under schemes aimed at claimants.
With the cost of living running high, many households are looking for as much extra help as they can get.
From council tax reductions to reduced bills, cash towards energy bills and grants for mothers, there is plenty on offer.
People on Universal Credit can also access things like grants from the Household Support Fund, which can be worth a few hundred pounds depending on where you live.
So here are seven things you apply for if you claim Universal Credit.
The good news is that if you're on other benefits, you may still be able to apply.
Lower water bills
Millions of families claiming benefits like Universal Credit can lower their household costs through a scheme that caps water bills.
WaterSure allows customers to be protected from paying surging rates even if using more than the average amount of water.
To apply, a household must be using a water meter and have a certain number of school-age children or use a substantial amount of water for medical reasons.
Citizens Advice said: "To apply for the WaterSure scheme, you must be on benefits and need to use a lot of water either for medical reasons or because your household has a certain number of school-age children.
"You also need to be on a water meter or be waiting to have one installed.
"If you get your water from Welsh Water you’re covered by WaterSure Wales, which works in a similar way to the English scheme."
To qualify for help under the WaterSure scheme, you or someone living with you needs to be entitled to receive one of the following:
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit (except families in receipt of the family element only)
- Pension Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
In addition, you need to either:
- Be responsible for three or more children under the age of 19 and in full-time education living in the property, or
- Have (or someone living in the property must have) a medical condition that requires significant additional use of water. Examples include weeping skin diseases (such as psoriasis), Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis.
If you think you are eligible for WaterSure, you will need to apply through your water company.
Some water suppliers also offer WaterSure if you're on Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment.
£150 Warm Home Discount payments
The Warm Home Discount scheme pays £150 to vulnerable people to help towards their energy bills in the colder months.
To qualify for the Warm Home Discount scheme, you must fall into one of the two categories:
- You get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit - known as the 'core group'
- You’re on a low income or means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit, and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme - known as the 'broader group'
However, more than 200,000 benefit claimants will be barred from £150 government payments to help heat homes in the winter under Government changes this year.
The changes mean people claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payments (PIP) or Attendance Allowance (AA) will no longer be able to apply for the Warm Home Discount scheme.
Cold weather payment
When temperatures drop, people who get Universal Credit automatically get a payment of £25 a week.
To be eligible, the temperature outside must be below zero for a week.
If it is, a Government £25 cold weather payment is made automatically for every qualifying week between November 1 and March 31.
Britons on five other types of benefits could be eligible for the funds, including:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Free school meals
With the cost of food going up, feeding your child may cause you some problems. One way to save on this expense is through free school meals.
Those already on Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Child Tax Credit are eligible.
Other eligible people include people who receive the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
If you get Universal Credit, your household income must be less than £7,400 a year to qualify.
That is after tax, and not including any benefits you get.
You can apply on the Education Authority website.
Help with the cost of getting work
The Flexible Support Fund (FSF) is a government-led fund which is offered to people trying to get into work.
The FSF is offered by local job centres and can be approved at the discretion of Jobcentre Plus advisers.
There's no limit to how much you can claim through the FSF, but if you've already paid for something, you won't be able to claim through FSF to recover the costs.
Each claim is judged on a case-by-case basis by Jobcentre staff, and you will need to show you cannot pay for items or training yourself to be eligible.
The FSF can help pay for things such as:
- Training to help get a job
- Tools for work
- Travel costs to get to interviews
- Clothing to start a new job
Council tax reductions
People on Universal Credit could be eligible to get their council tax reduced.
Those eligible might be getting a discount already so you should check your bill and contact the council if you are not sure.
If you are the only adult in your home, you can get a 25 per cent discount on your council tax bill. If someone moves out, you should let the council know immediately.
Grants for mothers
Parents with a new baby may be entitled to a Sure Start Maternity Grant, a one-off payment of £500.
This has to be claimed within 11 weeks of the baby's due date or six months after the baby's birth.
The Government explained the criteria for this benefit:
- You’re expecting your first child, or you’re expecting multiple births (such as twins) and have children already
- You or your partner already get benefits like Universal Credit or Income Support
- Help with health costs, including prescriptions and dental treatment
- Additional help towards housing payments if your Universal Credit payment is not enough to pay your rent
- Free early education for two-year-olds
- Support with travel costs to attend job interviews or start work
- Support with the provision of clothing to start work
- Support with upfront childcare costs until you receive your first wage
