Cost of Living payment LATEST: Universal Credit claimants to get extra cash bonus ON TOP of £650; plus money-saving tips | The Sun

UNIVERSAL Credit claimants will receive an extra cash bonus on top of the £650 cost of living payment that will be hitting Brits bank accounts next month.

In December, millions of people who claim Universal Credit and other benefits will be able to get their hands on an extra Christmas bonus cash boost.

The Department for Work and Pensions will give out a one-off tax-free £10 payment made before Christmas.

To get the Christmas bonus you need to get one of the qualifying benefits along with Universal Credit and you need to be getting it in what's known as the qualifying week, which is usually the first week of December.

Meanwhile Martin Lewis this week urged anyone aged 45 to 70 to find out if they can boost their state pension up to £5,800 – but you need to act quickly as this perk of the scheme ends in April 2023.

Read our cost of living live blog below for the latest updates

  • Louis Allwood

    Which benefits must rise in line with inflation?

    The following nine benefits are legally required to have their payments rise with the previous September’s rate of inflation each April:

    • Personal independence payment (PIP)
    • Disability living allowance
    • Attendance allowance
    • Incapacity benefit
    • Severe disablement allowance
    • Industrial injuries benefit
    • Carer’s allowance
    • Additional state pension
    • Guardian’s allowance

    Each of the above benefits are expected to rise by 10.1% from April 2023, though the government has yet to confirm that.

    Pensioner left struggling after switching energy supplier

    Steven Campbell is £470 down after paying Ovo Energy a deposit just to become a new customer due to his low credit score.

    But after he was left in the dark over whether the switch had actually happened, he cancelled it – and has spent months chasing a refund.

    “I thought it was unfair, but I borrowed £300 from my daughter to help pay it,” he said.

    Ovo Energy told him that he would become a customer in five to 10 days.

    But he was left in the dark for over a month as to whether the switch had been successful.

    He therefore cancelled the switch in August, returned to Outfox The Market, and asked Ovo Energy for his £470 deposit back.

    Two months later and countless calls, emails and letters to Ovo Energy to get his money back, he’s still out of pocket.

    Cheap day out to keep the kids busy

    As costs soar, finding things to do with the kids this half term can be tough.

    A good way to spend the day out with the little ones without spending a penny is to go leaf hunting!

    As autumn kicks into gear, beautiful fallen leaves can be found everywhere and kids love them.

    Challenge your little ones to find different shapes and colours. Then take home a few of their favourites and paint them different colours for an easy indoor activity.

    For more free days out click here.

    • Louis Allwood

      85% of childcare costs covered

      You can get the childcare part of Universal Credit if you are a ­working single parent or part of a couple and you both work (or if one of you is unable to work because of an illness or caring responsibilities).

      With Universal Credit, you can get up to 85 per cent of your childcare costs covered up to a maximum of £646 per month for one child or up to £1,108 for two or more children. 

      The amount you get will depend on your family circumstances.

      You can claim childcare costs for all the children you are responsible for, until the end of August after their 16th birthday.

      The main drawback is that you have to pay the costs up front and then claim them back, which many may not be able to afford to do.

      Megan said: “It offers the most generous support but it is a clunky system that can be a barrier to parents. We would like it to be simplified.”

      She urges families to contact their local council’s family information service to find out what ­support they are entitled to.

    • Louis Allwood

      Millions eligible for winter discount

      Millions of Brits are eligible for a free £150 bill discount this winter, as the cost of living continues to rise.

      The Warm Home Discount, which is designed to help Brits on lower incomes keep their homes heated during the winter, will be sent automatically to all those who claimed certain benefits on or before Sunday, August 21.

      The payment, which will likely arrive in early December, will be made by energy companies to struggling Brits who need to heat their homes.

      To qualify, you will need to have claimed one of the following benefits; Income support, Income based jobseeker's allowance, Income related employment and support allowance, Housing benefit, Universal credit, Child tax credit, Working tax credits, Pension credit guaranteed and Pension credit savings credit – with the cold weather payment also available to those who need it.

    • Louis Allwood

      DIY costumes for Halloween

      Emma, a mum-of-two living in Manchester, says her tips will help to save parents a staggering amount of money.

      Emma said: “If I’m buying costumes for my kids, whether it’s for trick-or-treating or to wear to a party, I’ll always shop on second-hand websites or make my own.

      "One year we did Mike and Sully from ‘Monsters, Inc’ using costumes I bought on eBay. My favourite was using some old dungarees and face paint to turn my toddler into Chucky!”

      “Another year we did homemade pumpkins using a sheet of felt; I folded it in half, cut a hole for the head, sewed either side down and then threaded some elastic around the bottom to create a pumpkin shape. Then I drew on eyes and a mouth; it was as easy as that!”  

      “This year, I’ve bought second-hand Ghostbusters costumes for £6 each off eBay, whereas the new version costs around £17. Try to second-hand-shop as early as possible before the demand starts to rise.”

    • Louis Allwood

      Pumpkin carving money saving tips

      Pick the right pumpkin for your budget. A monster one will set you back around £3, a large one is about £1.65 but a standard size is roughly 80p. Three standard-size pumpkins might well look more spook-tacular than just one large one — and save you cash too.

      Once carved, pumpkins last just three to five days before they start to rot. So wait until a day or two before Halloween to carve yours, to ensure you won’t have to buy a replacement.

    • Louis Allwood

      1 in 3 carers are feeling cost of living pressures

      Unpaid carers are spending "significantly" more than last year looking after loved ones, a charity has claimed.

      New figures reveal 1 in 3 carers are feeling cost of living pressures forking out an average of £400 a year on energy efficient measures.

      Not-for-profit organisation Smart Energy GB polled 1,000 non-professional carers and found a damming 92% believe not enough is being done to help with increased financial pressures.

      Phillippa Brown from Smart Energy GB said: “Unpaid carers take on a huge amount of responsibility looking after friends or family, and the cost of living crisis is only making their role more challenging.

      “But it’s important to know that even small things can really help to ease the burden on carers and ensure their loved ones are prepared for the colder months."

    • Louis Allwood

      Christmas bargains

      Here are a few of the cheapest Christmas trees on the market right now.

      • B&Q – 4ft Woodland Full looking green with PVC tips: Price: £11 – buy now
      • Dunelm – 6ft Essentials Christmas Tree: Price: £22 – buy now
      • Argos – Home 6ft Lapland Christmas Tree Black: Price: £25 – buy now
      • Amazon – Classic Artificial Realistic Natural Branches Pine Christmas Tree Xmas Green 7ft: Price: £36.99 – buy now
      • Wayfair – Artificial Spruce Christmas Tree: Price: £42.99 – buy now

      Check out our full guide for more details on these amazing deals.

      • Louis Allwood

        When is The Martin Lewis Money Show back on screens?

        Martin Lewis will return to our screens on 1 November at 8pm to deliver the top financial advice for Brits during the cost of living crisis.

        The UK's trusted cash expert will be on hand to give viewers the most up to date information.

        Martin will cover the latest in savings and energy as well as answering urgent questions.

      • Louis Allwood

        Council tax discounts for PIP claimers

        You might also be able to get a council tax discount if you claim the living or mobility part of PIP.

        You'll need to contact your local council to find out though – which you can do by searching "local council finder".

        Just pop in a post code and you're there.

        Again, they might need to see you your PIP award letter.

        How much you'll get off widely depends on what your personal situation is and how much PIP you're claiming – so it's best to call up and have a discussion.

      • Louis Allwood

        'The picture is still bleak'

        On November 17 Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will confirm the government’s exact plan to balance the books.

        A treasury source warned: “Markets have calmed somewhat, but the picture is still bleak. Britain is facing an economic crisis with a massive fiscal black hole to fill.

        “People should not underestimate the scale of this challenge, or how tough the decisions will have to be. We’ve seen what happens when governments ignore this reality.”

      • Henry Moore

        When to shop at Primark to get the best deals

        As we approach Christmas, getting the best deals on your favourite items is important.

        So when exactly is the best time to shop at Primark this holiday season?

        A worker previously revealed Primark’s busiest period is between 11am and 3pm in the run-up to Christmas, so shopping early in the morning can be a massive help.

        On top of that, the high-street royalty often has "secret" sale items that are reduced by over half if you know where to look.

      • Henry Moore

        Five payments could hit your bank account before Christmas

        Millions of Brits may be eligible for up to five payments paid into their bank accounts BEFORE Xmas amid the soaring cost of living.

        Firstly, the second half of the government’s cost of living payment, worth £324, will be sent from November 8, with everyone claiming Universal Credit, Child Tax Credits and other benefits being eligible.

        Other help includes the pensioner cost of living payment, worth £300, the Warm Home Discount, worth £150, the household support fund, adding another £150, and the cold weather payment, valued at £75.

        Together these payments add up to almost £1,000, which could prove to be a massive help as we enter a tough winter.

      • Henry Moore

        Major bank warns house prices could fall by 8% next year

        As mortgage rates soar as a result of inflation and Liz Truss's disastrous mini budget, one major banking group has claimed house prices could plummet in 2023.

        Lloyds Banking Group has said it expects house prices to fall by around 8% in 2023.

        The banking group owns Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland and is the UK's biggest mortgage lender.

      • Henry Moore

        Firework displays cancelled across the UK due to costs

        It has been reported that events have been cancelled this year as local councils cut back on costs.

        Manchester Councillor Lee Ann Igbon announced that its firework display has been cancelled.

        According to InYourArea, she said: “It is with great reluctance that we’re announcing that council-organised bonfire events will not be taking place this year.

        “Manchester is one of the only major cities that continues to host council-organised firework and bonfire events.”

      • Henry Moore

        What is the pension triple lock?

        There have been many talks about the pension triple lock, but what exactly is it?

        The pension triple lock is a policy implemented by the government that protects people’s pensions from being impacted by any rise in the cost of living.

        It imposes, that the pension must rise by any of which the average earnings or inflation or 2.5% is the highest.

        The three rates are normally looked over in September and then the rise is made in April.

      • Henry Moore

        Gender pay gap rises in 2022

        The gender pay gap has widened in 2022, according to new statistics.

        The gap between men and women is highest in those over 40.

        People between 40 and 49 had a 10.9 per cent pay gap.

        Meanwhile, those under 40 had a much smaller 3.2 per cent gap.

        David Freeman, of the Office for National Statistics, said: “The gender pay gap is now some way below where it was before the pandemic.

        “Although it’s up on the last two years, those figures were distorted by the effects of Covid-19, so it’s better to look at longer-term trends.”

        Find out more details here.

      • Henry Moore

        How much does your dishwasher cost to run?

        Brits are looking for ways to cut back on bills this winter, so every saving helps.

        With that in mind, how much does a dishwasher take to run?

        Well, standard dishwashers use between 1.2kWh and 1.5kWh per load, according to research by Compare The Market.

        This comes to around 27p under the current Energy Price Guarantee.

        It is important to remember that new dishwashers are often more cost-effective.

      • Henry Moore

        Families aren’t eating together as costs soar

        According to a new report, families aren’t sitting down together for dinner, due to the soaring cost of living.

        A poll of 1,050 families who collectively earn below £25,000 a year found they worry about not having enough food at home as often as three times a week.

        Lindsay Boswell, FareShare chief executive, said: “The research shows that many families are not eating together due to worries about cost and we know that the rise in the cost of living means more people will be turning to local charities this winter.

        “The food we provide does not just alleviate hunger, eating meals together helps people build relationships and tackles issues such as loneliness and mental well-being.

        “The money raised by Crockpot will help us to continue to support nearly 9,500 charities providing care and support in their local communities so hopefully fewer families will be worrying about putting food on the table.” 

      • Henry Moore

        Use an electric blanket to save on heating bills

        Energy bills went up at the start of the month, despite the government’s Energy Price Guarantee.

        So, if you are looking for ways to save on bills, an electric blanket could be the way to go.

        Using one of these handy appliances will set you back 24p an hour, or, if you use it an hour per day, £12.48 per year.

        Overall, while it isn’t a free way to stay warm, using an electric blanket instead of turning the heating up could still save you cash off your bill this winter.

      • Henry Moore

        Are you eligible for the 2022 Christmas bonus?

        Millions of Brits could be eligible for the £10 Christmas bonus.

        To get the automatic payment, you will need to be in the UK during the first full week of December (5th to 11th) and claim at least one of the following benefits:

        • Armed Forces Independence Payment
        • Attendance Allowance
        • Carer’s Allowance
        • Child Disability Payment
        • Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
        • Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim)
        • Disability Living Allowance
        • Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
        • Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
        • Mobility Supplement
        • Pension Credit – the guarantee element
        • Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
        • State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
        • Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
        • Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
        • War Disablement Pension at State Pension age
        • War Widow’s Pension
        • Widowed Mother’s Allowance
        • Widowed Parent’s Allowance
        • Widow’s Pension

        What is the pension triple lock?

        There have been many talks about the pension triple lock, but what exactly is it?

        The pension triple lock is a policy implemented by the government that protects people’s pensions from being impacted by any rise in the cost of living.

        It imposes, that the pension must rise by any of which the average earnings or inflation or 2.5% is the highest.

        The three rates are normally looked over in September and then the rise is made in April.

        ANOTHER free day out for the kids this Autumn

        We’ve got you covered if you are looking for a cheap day out with the kids this half term.

        Children love finding creepy crawlies and it is a great way to get them to interact with the environment.

        Go for a walk through your local park or woods and you can whittle away hours looking in the mud for slugs and worms — or under logs and leaves for spiders and beetles.

        For more cheap days out, click here.

        Air fryers are a great way to save as the cost of living rises

        Air fryers are much cheaper to run than ovens, according to experts at Uswitch.

        Per meal, a standard air fryer costs 10p.

        So if you used an air fryer five days a week for a year, that would cost a total of £26.52.

        In comparison, an oven will run you back 71p an hour, a much bigger outgoing.

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