Households across the country are battling with the cost of living crisis as everyday food prices rise, energy and fuel prices stand at record highs and inflation continues to edge upward. The Department for Work and Pensions is urging people on Universal Credit to ask for additional financial support if they find themselves struggling to manage.
1. Alternative Payment Arrangements If you are in financial difficulties or are behind on your rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply to the DWP for an Alternative Payment Arrangement . This means the way your benefits are paid could be adjusted to help you manage the household budget more easily. You could:
Turn2Us says the DWP works out your Hardship Payment based on 60 percent of the amount you are losing in benefits each day multiplied by the number of days the sanction lasts. This is effectively a loan that you have to repay through your usual Universal Credit payments. The smallest amount you can borrow is £100. You can get up to £348 if you’re single, £464 if you’re part of a couple, or £812 if you have children.
If you have a health condition or disability, you could receive Personal Independence Payment on top of your Universal Credit. Use a benefits calculator such as this one at Turn2Us to find out what other state support you could get. 7. Cheaper broadband There are more than four million households on Universal Credit who are missing out on £144 a year off their broadband bills. Ofcom said only 1.2 percent of people who could take up the discounted broadband have done.
The average monthly spend on broadband among those eligible for social tariffs is £34.50 - so applying for BT Home Essentials at £15 a month could save eligible customers £19.50 a month, or £234 a year.
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