THERE are plenty of freebies up for grabs for those on Universal Credit this month.
Although being on benefits helps to curve bill costs and help financial stress, there are a lot of other perks many aren't aware of.
The cost of living is on the constant rise – the CPI measure of inflation jumped to 9.9% in August 2022, the latest figures available show.
But households have been told there is worse to come – the Bank of England has said it is likely inflation will reach 13.3% this year.
That means many will be looking for all the help they can get.
But fear not – we've listed six freebies you could get this month if you're on Universal Credit.
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Capped water bills
You may be eligible for the WaterSure scheme which puts a cap on bills for low income customers.
It could see your bills drop by £270 as well.
To qualify for the scheme you need to have a water meter already installed and you'll have to prove you already use a lot of water.
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You also need to be receiving one of a number of benefits including Universal Credit, Income Support and Housing Benefit.
If you live in England, you need to apply for the scheme directly from your water supplier.
If you live in Wales, you need to contact WaterSure Wales.
Figure out how you can get a water bill cap in one of our previous articles.
Help with job costs
The Flexible Support Fund (FSF) is available to anyone who receives help from a job centre from the moment you start a claim.
The money is issued on top of other benefits and can be used for childcare, uniforms, or even work tools, so long as they help you get a job.
There's no set amount you can get as it will vary from case to case.
If you feel that you may be able to get help from the FSF, you should contact your nearest Jobcentre.
However, not all claimants have an automatic right to receive the help and it's based on the discretion of the adviser.
We explain out the FSF here.
Warm Home Discount letters sent out – worth £150
Millions of households are in line to get a £150 discount off their energy bills between December and March 2023.
You'll be eligible for the automatic discount if you received any of the following benefits up to August 21 this year:
- 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
- Pension credit savings credit
The Department for Work and Pensions, who's overseeing the scheme, will send you letter in October to confirm if you'll get the payment later on in the year.
Payments for the £150 Warm Home Discount scheme will likely begin from December.
It's up to individual energy companies to decide when they will give their customers the discount.
If you're unsure about who supplies your energy, you can find out through Find My Supplier.
Household support fund – up to £150
Local councils are giving out cash top help households struggling with bills and other essential costs.
How much you can get depends on where you live and in many areas.
To qualify you'll usually need to be a recipient of council tax support.
You can search for yours using the search tool on gov.uk – just enter your postcode.
Local councils also offer welfare assistance schemes all year round that can help you with bills.
Cold weather payment – worth up to £75
When temperatures plummet those in low income households can get a £25 payment.
These cold weather payments have already been made in several locations where residents have experienced below zero weather.
The payment is made automatically, including to those on Universal Credit, for each seven day period of low temperatures between November 1 and March 31.
In the coldest areas three £25 payments have been made so far this winter, adding up to £75 in total.
See if your postcode has qualified for a payment and make sure you got it if you were eligible.
Free school meals
Pupils in England can get free school meals during term time up to the end of Year Two.
Families on Universal Credit can only get free school meals if their annual income is less than £7,400, not including benefits.
The Education Authority's website has an online application process.
There is a check list to ensure your eligibility, the list of document's you'll need and anything else you may require.
You'll have to include in your application all of the children who you want to receive a meal and have parental responsibility over.
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In other news, thousands on Universal Credit have been warned they could lose up to £1,000 a year depending on PM Liz Truss' benefit update next month.
It all depends on whether Ms Truss decides to increase benefits based on earnings or inflation.
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