Yahoo News Where to get help if you're worried about your benefits being cut in the budget
Here's who to speak to if you're concerned about Labour's 30 October budget.
While Keir Starmer didn't give much away about the upcoming budget on 30 October in his Downing Street speech, he did warn that it is "going to be painful".
Speaking from the Rose Garden of Number 10 on 27 August, he claimed Labour had inherited an economic mess from the previous Conservative leadership and warned that things "will get worse" before they get any better.
The PM insisted that he would not be going back on his promise of a "triple-lock" on income tax, VAT or national insurance, but was less candid when asked by reporters what spending cuts could be on the way.
Starmer said he didn't want to "pre-empt" chancellor Rachel Reeves plans for the autumn budget, set for 30 October, but concerns are already being raised over impending cuts to people's benefits.
Labour is already facing criticism over its plans to end the universal £300 winter fuel payment for pensioners, reducing the number eligible to receive it from 11.4 million to 1.5 million, saving some £1.4bn this financial year.
Danish Kazi, head of campaign group Positive Money, told the Big Issue: “Worst case scenario is that they double down on spending cuts, which would effectively reintroduce austerity through the back door.”
Here, Yahoo News explains where you can get help if you are worried about your benefits being cut in the October budget.
Pensioners
As it comes under fire for cutting universal winter fuel allowance and moving to a means-tested system, Labour has launched a campaign to encourage pensioners to check if they are still eligible.
Under the changes, only those receiving pension credit or other means-tested benefits will be able to receive their fuel allowance.
This has prompted an "awareness drive" from the government to encourage pensioners who are not claiming pension credit to apply by 21 December 2024 – the last date for making a backdated claim, in order to receive the winter fuel payment.
You can claim pension credit if you live in England, Scotland or Wales, are of state pension age and on a low income. You can find out if you're eligible here.
Age UK has a useful guide on its website, including how to get a budgeting loan while waiting for a benefit payment; ways to save money on your energy bills; and how to get a reduction on your council tax bill.
The Friends of the Elderly charity has a grant scheme designed for older people facing financial difficulties. These grants are managed by referral agents who are registered with the charity, including community centres, religious centres, housing associations, organisations like Citizen's Advice and other charities.
People living with disabilities
While Labour's strategy appears to be to help economically inactive people into work, Disability Rights UK previously told Yahoo News that the proposals could potentially be "extremely damaging" to disabled people.
”No matter our background, no one should be left without a financial safety net, meaning we can live independent lives. We should all be proud of the social security system, a piece of social infrastructure that 22 million people across the UK draw on to live the lives we all have a right to.“
Disabled people concerned that their benefits won't be enough to cover their costs could apply for a charitable grant.
According to MoneyHelper.org, "most charities will expect you to have applied for all the state benefits, local authority support and other help you’re legally entitled to before approaching them for a grant".
You can use the Turn2Us, EntitledTo or Policy in Practice benefits calculators online, all of which have been recommended by the government.
If you've exhausted options with benefits, then Turn2Us also has a tool to search for grants from registered charitable organisations across the UK.
"Grants are given to people based on their personal circumstances, for example a job you've worked at or a health condition you may have," the charity adds.
Mencap has some easy-to-read guidance for people with learning disabilities on how to get extra money for rent; how to get help from the council on rent; and advice on managing money to pay your rent.
Housing
Beyond housing benefit from the government there are some other resources you can turn to if you're worried about being able to pay the rent after October's budget.
Citizens Advice has a guide on its website on what to do if you are behind with rent payments, and you can also speak to someone in person at your local Citizens Advice branch.
If universal credit or housing benefit doesn’t cover all of your rent, you could make a claim for a discretionary housing payment (DHP) – a single payment from your local council to help pay your rent, which the local authority will decide on based on your circumstances.
You can get an application form by asking your local council, which you can find here on the Gov.uk website.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also be eligible for a council tax discount, or to pay none at all, particularly if you are on a low income, so it is worth checking with your local authority to see if you are eligible.
Again, services like Turn2Us make it easy to search for grants for people struggling with their housing costs.
If you are at risk of losing your home, Shelter has advice on its website on how to get access to emergency housing.
