Benefits & tax credits

Its about helping people get their entitlement! Not about benefits policy! This board is here for help and support for those on or looking to claim benefits, not for judgement. Its ONLY focus is helping people with their money. It's here to help people find out what they are entitled to under the current system, and to…

MoneySavingExpert insert: Huge thanks to Fran for compiling this list some time ago. The MSE article and forum links are up to date but links to other sites may be broken. Back to Fran's original post: ---- The following links may prove useful in looking for information about Benefits and Jobseeking. MSE Attendance…

Hi Just like to say thanks to everyone who took the time to reply to my posts about claiming pip for long covid, Just received a letter through the post from the dwp saying they have awarded me enhanced pip for both sections, I wasn't going to apply because after many internet searches i couldn't find anyone who has…

Official 2025-26 benefit rate update document issued https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-and-pension-rates-2025-to-2026/benefit-and-pension-rates-2025-to-2026

This morning I have been credited by my energy supplier, OVO, with the WHD for winter 2025-26. It's shown here on my 'Live' balance in the 'Other Charges' as a minus - you may find that slightly confusing but it's just the way the billing is set out - Because a minus-charge is a credit. (PS. The £7.14 has been credited…

Hi everyone, I wanted to share my PIP tribunal experience to help others who might be going through the same thing. I was initially awarded 0 points for both daily living and mobility, but after appealing, I was awarded Enhanced Daily Living and Standard Mobility for 5 years. The process was frustrating and exhausting, but…

A note to other Forum Users A few weeks ago, I was on this forum and came across a thread by people asking whether SIPP contributions were taken into account for Universal Credit and some people were advising on letters their MPs had sent. I have a SIPP and was able to use the advice on that thread to contact my MP and ask…

This is long winded, but very important, so don't be put off. Two years ago (2022), I received information from Severn Trent Water about their Big Difference Scheme, and inviting me to apply. I said it was for people who are on benefits or a low income. Now let me say at the outset, I'm a pensioner and only receive the…

Hello just wanted to share a success story last week I browsed over the emails as I do admittedly i don't always take a lot of notice but something caught my eye about the bereavement support and partners not allowed to claim. I lost my partner in 2019 and and the hospital advised me to claim for bereavement support to…

Morning, everyone. I wanted to say thank you to all of the people on here who give out such good advice. Over the last two years we've been through DLA to PIP, legacy benefits to Universal Credit and just now LCWRA for my son, who turned 18 this year. We've had advice on here, either through specific questions I've posted…

I fully understand how stressful this time is for those who are having to claim benefits and are having trouble doing so. Please don't take your frustration on staff when you do get through. Their work load has gone through the roof and they are trying to operate with fewer staff to do the job.

I started a thread about this sometime ago but it got closed due to some rather inappropriate comments: So I thought I'd start a new thread in order simply to update. My wife had her THIRD Tribunal on Monday. What was supposed to be a two-hour hearing to give my wife sufficient breaks turned into just a 20-minute hearing.…

I haven't noticed any posts from them recently. It will be a great shame if they are no longer active as their advice was always accurate.

Thought this would be useful to know, from the budget (and hadn't previously seen mention of it, sorry if it's old news that I've missed previously). Reforming Support for Mortgage Interest - To support mortgage borrowers with rising interest rates, the government will allow those on UC to apply for a loan to help with…

Hi. I reached out on this forum in respect of a Health Assessment Interview. This was carried out over the phone on 11th October and I've received a letter today to advise that I've been put in a support group and that payments will be backdated to 1st August this year. Thank you to everyone who replied and put my mind at…

Just wanted to say thank you to all the posters sharing their expertise about PIP, in answering my own questions and all the other threads - what I've learned here both convinced me to apply in the first place and gave me the conviction and confidence that I did qualify and that I should challenge the original decision. I…

The schemes are starting to open up for the £140 electricity account discount. Eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier but worth applying if you are eligible and remember is it first come first served until it is gone. The Eon scheme is definitely open.

Just thought in case people haven’t seen the update, one has been updated. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/face-to-face-assessment-suspension-continues-for-health-and-disability-benefits

'Old Style' CB ESA apparently no longer exists and existing awards have already been converted to 'New Style' ESA. Whilst most people who had Legacy 'CB Only' ESA will not really notice the difference what it does mean is that if their circumstances change then they can now no longer get any IR ESA (the premiums) added to…

Thought I would put a positive note on forum. PIP due for renewal November 2025 Renewal form returned March 2025 Surprise in the post today.... PIP renewed until August 2029. Ist time ever not having an assessment and no change to award.

Just an update regarding my situation and a BIG THANK you to certain posters, that being @poppy1234 and @Spoonie_Turtle especially. Also to @calcotti for previous advice last year. Here is the thread Apply for State Pension and query about mixed age couple — MoneySavingExpert Forum The best financial way after SP age for…

We've had several threads already, I know, but this might be useful: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1115362/whd-eligibility-statement-2022-england-wales-annex-1.xlsx From this…