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Benefits & tax credits

Get help discovering which benefits you are entitled to - and how to claim them.

Migration from income based ESA support group to universal credit
I have had the statement for my first Universal Credit payment! It has been amended to include a transitional payment! I was in the esa support group with enhanced disability premium and severe disability premium. I have attached a copy of the statement as I can’t see where the LCWRA element is or is this included in the…
High income child benefit charge and separation
So I have a bit of a dilemma here. My partner (now ex not married) claimed child benefit for the whole 24/25 tax year. We separated in September 24 but have still be living together but as separate households since due to financial reasons, we have no bank accounts tied etc… I have exceeded the threshold for the high…
What Are The Rules on UC If New Job Does Not Work Out?
I am on universal credit (I was obliged to seek work,) and have a new job starting on Monday. What are the rules regarding UC, if the job does not “work out”? I would imagine if I decide to walk out the door on the first day, I will not be able to immediately claim UC (I have no intention to do this.) However, say the…
SMI loan questions
Hi, Please move if this isn't in the right place. Unfortunately, I'm at risk of redundancy unexpectedly, just a few months after buying a house. We get UC so can apply for the Support for Mortgage Interest loan payments now, but we're not sure if it's a good idea, so I'd like to ask a couple of questions: - Any ideas how…
DWP have lost all of the documents I sent by special delivery!!!
DWP are conducting a review of our existing Pension Credit claim mainly to check if our capital went over the minimum. They asked for 4 years of bank statements. Not easy to get, as we have different accounts to gather as much interest as we can (thanks Martin, but no more... as you'll see, it hasn't been worth it...) We…
Income ESA to UC migration confusion. Worried. Please help.
Hello. I got a managed migration notice to move from Income related ESA to UC and applied on 31st March. I have no idea what is going on but got a message in the journal out of the blue, saying "records show your getting IR ESA and to tell them I'm moving to UC" but it was worded confusingly, so I asked what it was about…
Adding illnesses to the ESA to UC Migration form
Hello, I have filled in the online form to migrate from ESA Support Group to Universal Credit, but have realised I forgot to list Diabetes among my illnesses in the Health page. Is there a way I can add this, and do I need the specific date of diagnoses? Also, they list the methods of id they accept, I have a drivers…
Universal credits and council tax
Hi everyone hope someone can help iv just migrated to universal credit I currently get council tax benefits will that now get stopped and I will have to reclaim or will it not be affected?
Universal credit and private pension contributions
Ok, I have recently started making the change to UC. With tax credits, we were able to deduct 100% of our private pension (not attached to earnings) contributions from our salary each year. I have spoke to UC and apparently only work based pensions are deductable. Yet I have found lots of info that just uses the word…
Benefits while working / volunteering
I am just trying to educate myself on the small chance I could end up out of work, I already worked out my entitlement would be 480 per month which includes council tax help. I am single , own fully my house and have no savings no partner no kids. If I was to volunteer or work a small amount of hours, does that affect the…
Carers allowance wait time
Hi, I left work 31st May - after having 3 months on paid leave (gardening leave). I applied for carers allowance 2nd June 2025. From 2nd September I will be joining university, so I will need to close the claim then. I have had carers allowance in the past for my daughter and nothing in our circumstances has changed since.…
Budgeting Advance advice needed.
We moved across from ESA to UC back in Feb of this year and at the time we was paying back a Budgeting loan we had while on ESA and now we are paying that back via UC. but we need to ask for a Budgeting Advance with UC as need to buy a new oven as our one has died so what i would like to know is will UC class paying back a…
Council tax dole occupancy discount
Hi, my daughter spent the last 10 years working abroad in performing art on various contracts. I claimed sole occupancy discount on my council tax during this time. I’ve been approached by the council and told that the discount was not valid and must repay the amount for the last 10 years, can they do this?
UC and inheritance
I've been lucky enough to receive a substantial amount in an inheritance from a relative. I thought I just had to declare the amount to UC and this would close the claim but when I posted the change of circumstances on journal they said I had to make an appointment with the Jobcentre and take in three months' worth of bank…
Joint mortgage and Child maintenance
Hi I am right in saying my ex has to pay half the mortgage payments as it’s joint after walk on us our daughter is 12 and then pay child maintenance he has said he pay half mortgage and will give me £30 a week child maintenance and my calculations show £450 a month any advice?
Sons Student maintenance grant and the effect on my Universal credit.
Hello there, Ive actually asked this question on here before and someone very helpful answered but I'm double checking as Ive been told the opposite. I claim Universal credit, I also claim PIP and have a doctors fit note to say that my max hours are 20 a week. Universal credit are ok with this as long as I keep providing…
ESA to UC migration
This discussion was created from comments split from: Universal credit and the £6000 threshold.
ESA migration to Universal Credit help please
Hello, I applied for Universal Credit on 6th May after receiving a migration letter. I was in mainly contribution based ESA in support group with an income related top up. My first Universal Credit payment statement shows I am in the LCWRA group but it has taken off £600 for ESA payments. I have still been receiving ESA…
New application for JSA, will I be eligible for any cost of living payment?
Hi all, I'll be applying for JSA sometime over the next few days, can anyone say if I'll be eligible for a cost of living payment, if I've understood correctly, one is due around now.
Universal credit: refusing legacy = deprivation of capital?
If a person refuses an amount of money, say £20k, which has been left to them in a will because they want to remain on Universal Credit, is this considered as a "deprivation of capital" for UC purposes? Even though they have never received the money? Thanks!

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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Benefits & tax credits

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