Yahoo News Five Universal Credit freebies worth £3,286 that parents could be missing out on
Parents on various benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) could be missing out on various extra support worth up to £3,286 a year.
As the cost of living crisis continues, thousands across the UK are constantly juggling to balance their finances while ensuring their children's happiness and contentment. However, those claiming benefits including Universal Credit, Income Support, and Child Tax Credit, could claim some free perks and payments
Many might not realise that claiming benefits can unlock a host of additional support beyond their regular weekly or monthly payments. This could encompass financial aid to ensure your children have a healthy and nutritious diet, free childcare enabling you to continue working, and complimentary school meals for your child.
READ MORE:
Money changes in July: DWP payments, energy bills, interest rates, general election and more
Drivers can save up to £2,475 a year by sending DVLA a simple letter
Here's an overview of all the extra assistance you could receive as a parent on benefits:
Free childcare
If you're a parent claiming Universal Credit, you qualify for extra help with your childcare costs, the M.E.N reports. At present, you can claim 85 per cent of your childcare expenses per month up to £1,014 for one child and £1,739 for two or more children.
Thankfully, rule changes in June mean that the support for childcare costs is paid upfront, rather than being claimed back after you've already spent the money.
Up to £442 worth of free food per year
Parents who have just had a baby, or are about to, can claim up to £442 worth of free food each year through the Healthy Start Scheme. To qualify for the scheme, a claimant must be either more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four years old.
Parents must also be claiming one of the following benefits:
Universal Credit with less than £408 a month of total income
Pension Credit
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Child Tax Credit alongside a family income of £16,190 or less a year
However, parents under the age of 18 can apply for the scheme even if they are not claiming any benefits.
Once you qualify for the scheme, you will receive a card that can be used at a variety of supermarkets and shops. However, the card can only be used to buy certain products, such as vegetables, fruit, and milk.
Grant worth £500
Parents can claim up to £500 as a one-off payment via the Sure Start Maternity Grant. In order to qualify, you must be expecting your first child (or children if it's twins or more).
The grant can be claimed in an 11-week window prior to the baby's due date. Otherwise, it can be claimed up to six months after the baby is born.
Household Support Fund support
The Household Support Fund is a government scheme that allocates money to councils to help locals with the cost of living. As part of the support, some councils may choose to provide vouchers to help parents pay for things such as food or energy bills.
However, it is up to each individual council to decide what they do with the fund and who qualifies for the support. As a result you should contact your local council and ask them about the Household Support Fund to see if you qualify for extra support as a parent on benefits.
Free School Meals
Parents claiming benefits can help their children have a meal at school for free. While this is automatically provided in years one and two, anytime after a parent must be claiming one of the following:
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit
Universal Credit
The level of support provided through the free school meals scheme may vary depending on your council, school, or area. To see what level of support you can receive through this scheme, simply enter your postcode into the government website here.
