Millions on DWP benefits urged to claim £4,278 in handouts this February

DWP households can claim thousands this month
-Credit:Getty Images/iStockphoto


Financial support worth more than £4,000 is available to thousands of households across the country. Universal Credit, which supports people on low incomes, is claimed by 6.4 million people in the UK as of January 2024.

Universal Credit is not just for people out of work, however it is also applicable to many working full-time on low salaries as a means to top up their monthly income. But the benefit doesn’t end there, reports Express.co.uk.

A lot of people may not know that Universal Credit can be a gateway to as much as £4,278 of freebies and discounts in February alone. You can apply for these separate schemes, delivered through organisations such as councils and energy suppliers.

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READ MORE: DWP issuing cashback to Universal Credit claimants but you'll need to act quick

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Council Tax discount - up to £1,628

Those on Universal Credit are eligible to claim up to 75% off their Council Tax bill. The exact amount depends on various factors such as your income, whether you live alone, have children or have a disability.

A 75% discount on an average Band D property would be worth £1,628. With council tax bills forecast to rise by as much as 25% in one areas, and at least by as much as the legal maximum in most areas, there's never been a better time to cut your council tax if you're eligible to do so - a 25% reduction come April will be worth even more than it is now.

Household Support Fund - £200

The Household Support Fund is a pot of cash for cost of living payments, made available to households via local councils, but funded by the DWP. Because the scheme is devolved, some local authorities offer different amounts to others, while some offer cash and others offer shopping vouchers.

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Dudley and Birmingham councils offer £200 cash to households on low incomes, while for other councils it can vary between £50 and £400. Most councils want applicants to be on Universal Credit, or Pension Credit or another low income benefit, although not all will require this.

Energy bill discounts - £2,000

British Gas as well as Octopus Energy and other firms offer schemes open to those on Universal Credit as well as other low income benefits like Pension Credit. If you’re struggling to pay your bills or have run up a relatively high amount of energy debt, schemes like the British Gas Energy Trust’s individual and Families Fund and the British Gas Energy Support Fund can write off anywhere between £50 and £2,000 of debt on gas and electricity bills.

There is eligibility criteria: you must have received advice from a money advice agency before you can apply and you must be using the money to clear debt on your own property with an open account. Other energy firms also offer their own versions of similar schemes so it's worth checking directly with your supplier.

Warm Homes Discount - £150

Those on Universal Credit can also apply for the Warm Homes Discount. The benefit is a £150 credit put directly onto energy bills.