HUNDREDS of thousands of Universal Credit claimants will now get extra financial help.
The government has extended the support for its Suppor for Mortgage Interest Loan Scheme (SMI) to a further 200,000 on universal credit.
Universal credit claimants can get extra help towards their mortgage paymentsAlamy
The SMI helps those on universal credit – and other benefits – by giving them an interest free loan.
The help goes towards mortgage payments or towards loans taken out to help repair any damage to the home.
The government has also changed the criteria claimants need to meet in order to get it.
From now on, those on universal credit will only need to be claiming the help for three months before they can use MILS.
Before, claimants had to not only be claiming universal credit for nine months, they also had to be unemployed for that long too.
The support will be automatically provided three months after your first payment but you don’t have to use the help right away.
They will also be able to re-claim the support if they leave universal credit but return within six months.
Minister for social mobility, youth and progression Mims Davies said: “The fear of losing your home when you have fallen on difficult times is incredibly stressful and makes getting back on your feet all the more difficult.
“This increased support is an important lifeline to help provide stability for those who are seeking to find work and move back towards long-term prosperity.”
What other help can I get?
There is more financial help available to those struggling with the cost of living.
Parents can get up to £2,000 in free childcare help including kids’ clubs over the Easter holidays that are right around the corner.
Around 1.3million eligible households are missing out on the support with childcare costs.
All working parents with children who are 11 or under can apply for the Government’s tax-free scheme.
It goes up to a maximum of £4,000 if your child is disabled too.
Households across the country can claim supermarket vouchers, free cash and even gadgets like air fryers or fridges to help in the cost of living crisis.
That’s all thanks to the Household Support Fund – a multi-million pound pot of cash that local councils have been given to dish out to those struggling the most.
The scheme has been extended after initially being set to end on March 31.
Many people don’t realise they can get a cheaper council tax bill.
There are a number of discounts you could get, depending on your circumstances.
Factors such as your household income, whether you have children, and if you receive any benefits, will influence what you get.
To apply for any of the below discounts, go through the government website.
Millions of people will receive the first part of a £900 cost of living payment this spring.
It’s part of the £1,350 support scheme from the government which Jeremy Hunt unveiled in his Autumn Budget.
The first payment, which will be £301, will be paid directly into bank accounts between April 25 and May 17.
During the holidays, supermarkets often offer free food to struggling families.
For example, Morrisons is offering children free cereal through a partnership with Kelloggs.
What is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is a welfare scheme that was designed to combine a number of old “legacy benefits” into a single monthly payment.
Whether you are eligible will depend on your individual circumstances.
You may be eligible if you meet all of the following criteria:
you’re on a low income or out of workyou’re 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)you’re under State Pension age (or your partner is)you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between youyou live in the UK
How much is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit payments are made up of a standard allowance and then various additional payments that depend on your circumstances.
This is how much you will get as your standard allowance each month:
Single, under 25 – £265.31Single, 25 or over – £334.91Couple, joint claimants both under 25 – £416.45 (for both of you)Couple, joint claimants, one or both 25 or over – £525.72 (for both of you)
You may get additional payments, for instance, if you:
have childrenhave a disability or health condition which prevents you from workingneed help paying your rent
It’s worth bearing in mind that Universal Credit payments will go up from this April in line with inflation for September last year.
That means payments will go up for millions by 10.1%.
So, if you’re single and under 25, your payments will go up to £292.11.
If you’re single and 25 or over, they’ll go up to £368.74.
Joint claimants who are both under 25 will see their payments go up to £458.51.
Plus, joint claimants where one or both of you are 25 or over will see their payments go up to £578.77.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]