MORE than 100,000 couples separate and get a divorce every year in the UK.
But thousands don’t realise that they could be entitled to a number of discounts, benefits and other freebies.
GettyIf you’re getting divorced you could become eligible for benefits and discounts worth £1,000s[/caption]
From free cash to help with the mediation process to legal aid and money off court fees, there are a number of discounts available.
If you suddenly fall into having a low income you’ll likely become eligible to claim Universal Credit.
This can help provide you with a stable income and help with both housing and childcare costs.
It also opens doors to a host of other discounts including money off council tax, broadband and water bills.
Here are discounts and benefits you can get worth £1,000s if you’re getting divorced.
Cash for mediation
Family mediation is a process that helps separating families sort out arrangements for children and finances using a mediator.
The cash for mediation voucher scheme was first launched in 2021 and has enough funding to last until 2025.
Couples can use the money to help them resolve disputes away from the court, for things like contact arrangements for children.
The government has already provided £8.7m for at least 17,000 vouchers for to couples going through a divorce.
Couples who are separating and have children are eligible for the vouchers.
Those without children do not qualify.
You’ll be told if you’re eligible during your mediation information and assessment meeting which will help you discuss your situation and make a plan moving forward.
You won’t receive the vouchers yourself and the mediator will claim the voucher themselves on behalf of you.
As the total value of the voucher is £500, you may need to contribute to the overall cost of your sessions if you choose to continue with mediation.
If you don’t qualify, then a normal mediation meeting could cost anywhere between £90 to £120.
Legal aid and money off court fees
It is possible to get legal aid to pay for advice, mediation and representation in court if you can’t afford the fees.
However, this is means-tested and you need to demonstrate that your problem is serious enough to warrant help and that you can’t raise the money yourself.
Usually, you’ll have to give details and evidence of your income, benefits, savings and property.
And, according to Gov.UK, you may also have to provide evidence about the divorce case, such as providing a court order and evidence of domestic assault.
Universal Credit
If your income has dropped substantially you could become eligible for Universal Credit.
You can apply for the benefit even if you’re in work.
The amount of cash you’ll get through Universal Credit will depend on your current circumstances.
Your individual circumstances will affect how much Universal Credit you receive such as how many children you have, your earnings, and how many people you reside with.
But it’s also affected by the benefit cap, which limits the amount of welfare you can get.
The benefit cap outside Greater London is:
£423.46 per week (£1,835 per month) if you’re in a couple or if you’re a single parent and your children live with you£283.71 per week (£1,229 per month) if you’re a single adult
The benefit cap inside Greater London is:
£486.98 per week (£2,110 per month) if you’re in a couple or if you’re a single parent and your children live with you£326.26 per week (£1,413 per month) if you’re a single adult
Depending on your circumstances you could be eligible for up to £368.74 a month through the standard allowance if you’re over 25 and single.
But the exact amount you’ll get will depend on your circumstances.
Support with housing costs
Those on Universal Credit can get help with their rent, or part of it, as well as some service charges.
The amount you get depends on whether you’re a private or social tenant.
For private tenants the amount is calculated on the Local Housing Allowance where you reside, which determines rental prices in the area for the number of rooms you need.
If you’re a social housing tenants your benefit is calculated based on your eligible rent, which takes into account the number of rooms you actually need.
Support with childcare costs
Working parents can claim up to 85% of childcare costs, up to a maximum of £950 a month for one child, or £1,630 a month for two or more children.
Some parents have to pay the costs of sending their child to nursery or with a childminder upfront.
But those who start work or significantly increase their work hours can get the cash for their childcare bill paid upfront instead.
You’ll need to speak to your work coach to work out how you can get the support.
Council tax discount
If you are living alone you can get 25% off your council tax bill.
The same applies if there is one adult and one student living together in a property, or if there is one adult and one person classed as severely mentally impaired in the home.
But if you are also on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for some help towards your council tax.
Whether you are eligible will vary depending on where you live.
And if you find yourself struggling to pay your bill, you may also be able to get a deferral or speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost.
But one thing to remember is if you are struggling you should contact your council as early as you can.
Water bill discount
Low-income households can cut their water bills with discounted social water tariffs.
The average household qualifying for the discounted water rates could slash their bills by £160 a year.
Every water company has a social tariff scheme which can help reduce your bills if you’re on a low income.
Who’s eligible for help and the level of support varies depending on your water company.
Customers of Thames Water, England’s largest water company, may be able to get a 50% discount on bills if their total household income is below £17,005, or below £21,749 in London boroughs.
You could also get help if your water bill is more than 5% of your total household income.
Energy bill grants
Several suppliers offer energy bill help through hardship funds and give out grants.
These can be worth up to £1,500 and you don’t need to repay the cash.
British Gas has a hardship fund for struggling households – and you don’t have to be a customer to apply.
The cash can be used to pay off energy bill arrears, but you need to get debt advice first to be eligible – find out more about how to apply.
Other suppliers are also offering similar help to their own customers.
Check with yours directly to see what they offer. Eligibility and how much you get can vary between them.
Social broadband tariff
Another scheme households on benefits can take advantage of is social tariffs for broadband.
Around one million people cut off their broadband in the last year due to rising costs, according to research earlier this year.
Those on certain benefits can save up to £256 a year on average, though the exact amount will depend on how much you pay now and the discount you get.
The average broadband bill costs £33.35 a month or £400 a year, according to the price comparison website MoneySuperMarket – so it’s worth checking if you can save with one of these cheaper contracts.
Some of the benefits that qualify you for a social tariff include Universal Credit, employment and support allowance and jobseeker’s allowance.
Among the providers currently offering social tariffs are BT, Now, Sky, Virgin Media and Vodafone.
Ofcom has a list on its website of all the providers that offer the tariffs too.
Providers offer different packages, so it’s worth shopping around for the best deals.
Be aware that some suppliers may charge you a penalty if you leave a tariff mid-contract.
Household Support Fund
Struggling households can claim free cash via the government’s Household Support Fund (HSF).
The scheme was first brought in in 2021 with the aim to support vulnerable households.
Currently, it’s worth £842million and the pot of cash has been shared between councils in England.
Those councils then decide how to distribute their share of the fund among residents.
That means what you can get depends on where you live.
In many cases, help is offered to households on benefits or a low income, but that’s not always the case.
Help includes free cash, grocery vouchers, or white goods.
The amount you are entitled to will vary depending on the area you live in too and each council will have a different application process.
To find your local council, use the Gov.UK council finder tool.
Free prescriptions and dental treatment
You can also get help with covering health costs, such as paying for your prescriptions and dental treatment.
To claim, you’ll need to show a copy of your Universal Credit award notice.
If you’re entitled to claim, you could get free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests, wigs and fabric supports.
NHS prescriptions currently cost £9.65 per item in the UK.
You could also get help with the cost of glasses and contact lenses and money for travel costs for treatment.