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Benefits & tax credits

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

Its about helping people get their entitlement! Not about benefits policy!
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…
*USEFUL LINKS*
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…
UC Review: problem with « unearned income »
Hello everyone, I thought I’d ask here given that I can’t find the answer anywhere else, not even in my home country. I’m from Western Europe but I’ve been in the UK for 10 years. In 2020 I went on UC and I was awarded the LCWRA due to my fairly severe mental health problems. I also receive a benefit from my home country.…
Migration esa to uc. ID Proof
After passing the phone ID, a home ID was requested as well. After a lot of messsges to my MP & welfare benefit officers, CAB & umpteen journal messages. I recieved a call from the DWP home visiting officer tonight at.7pm to arrange a time. The earliest he could do clashed with hospital dates. So its booked for 22nd July,…
Universal Credit Managed Migration - I'm on the sick but they want me to work
I received the letter about legacy benefits ending and that I have to sign on to Universal Credit via managed migration a few weeks ago. I have been on Income Support and then ESA for the better part of 20 years (since 2005) because I've been on mental health medication, but in that time I have been volunteering at charity…
PIP Urgent Help
My wife had her latest PIP assesment back in December 2024. We received the assessors report straight away which showed the assesor awarding over 12 points for both components. The DWP have just wrote to us now saying they have looked at her claim and she is not entitled to PIP as they had 'innacurate information'…
Housing Benefit: Notional Income Computation
I’m in receipt of Housing Benefit (HB). Recently, I received a decision from Glasgow City Council (GCC) advising me that I owed them £742.41 because for the past few years I’d been overpaid HB due to having notional income of £13.85, weekly, from a pension plan, the fund of which stands at £22,650. I’m 67, but I’ve…
Benefits help needed
Hi I'm married and we have a home that is in my husbands name only and we have separate bank accounts, my mum is recently widowed and isn't in the greatest health I need to move back down where she lives for approx 6 to 12 months to help her out she's due some ops and tests over the next year, I don't want to move in with…
Migration esa to uc
Completed the online forms with charity support. Passed online ID, then had to have telephone ID passed that now told we have to wait for a home visit ID. Which could take weeks & weeks. My husband as stage 4 cancer & a stroke, I have a broken back & brain injury. All UC have said on journal is " I'll get another 2 weeks…
BT Home Essentials Unlimited Broadband- check your renewal.
Not a DWP benefit, but releted to them: If you have an existing BT Home Essentials Unlimited Broadband that has renewed recently then check your renewal details and billing. This morning I received 2-emails from BT (strangely both at 2:07 am, but they do check as being genuine so I guess it was an automated…
Child Care is this correct
Is this why so many people are claiming Universal Credit? Hi everyone, I came across these figures and just wanted to check if they sound accurate — and if so, is this why UC is becoming more common? This is based on a single mum with 2 kids renting a nice 3-bed house in Manchester. 📊 Scenario 1: No job Universal Credit…
depravation of capital
If I paid off my divorced daughters mortgage, approximately £55,000, would it affect her Universal Credit and would she have to inform DWP of the fact that her mortgage has been paid off.
Universal Credit Childcare
Hi, I would really appreciate some help. I struggle with anxiety and depression and applied for childcare refund costs approximately 10 months after I paid it off to my daughter’s after school costs via my credit card - £750. I supplied a letter from my Doctor confirming my mental health challenges, the medication I…
New PIP review your award form received July 2025
Hi all My daughter, aged 30, has a severe/profound hearing loss in both ears since birth and wears 2 hearing aids. She was awarded 8 points on communicating verbally and her award was ongoing (10 years) standard rate PIP. She has just received a review award form, 12 pages. From what I've read claimants are being advised…
Child DLA
Hi, My child DLA is due to be renewed in Oct. It was only awarded for 2 years may be because we were waiting for his ASD diagnosis. He was diagnosed in March they sent me a report covering all aspects of there findings. It also shows they consulted school and other medical professionals. A SEN meeting was carried out in…
Inheritance, Housing benefit/Council tax benefit and debt
Hi I'm hoping someone can help me. My mum recently retired in June. She only has a state pension and has been granted housing and council tax benefits. In May, she inherited 28k from her mum, although she owed about 16k in debt to her sister and me. She then paid for a funeral plan (3k). Which means she has less than 10k…
Incorrect UC review
I've had this message from my UC review: Hi XXX, Please see attached letter. We need to know the reason why you didn't report increases to capital/savings above £6000 sooner. Please can you respond by 9 July 2025. Your response will be passed to a Decision Maker to see if a Civil Penalty would be appropriate before issuing…
Disabled child element of Universal Credit Question
Hi, My daughter who is just turned 4 has her DLA approved. This is paid into my account being her dad. I have a question regarding Disabled Child element of UC. I am not geting any UC as I am not eligibile for it. Can i still apply for Disable Child element of UC (without having to get UC) or it only comes as part of the…
'Other people' section of Universal Credit Claim
Hi, hope someone can help. My severely disabled child is leaving specialist school this year and as they are unable to work I need to make a UC claim on their behalf. I'm currently confused by the 'other people' section. Our child lives with us and a sibling who is still at school, we do not live with our child if that…
Another Person Migrating From ESA IR To U/C Questions
Hello, Sorry if these questions have been asked before, I've looked through threads but everyone's circumstances are different. I'm on ESA with an IR top up Support group. I am on housing benefit I only pay for one spare bedroom. I'm on council tax benefit & I don't pay anything. I'm also on PIP low care high mobility…
State pension/PIP Pension credit refuseded
My friend is in receipt of state pension weekly amount £230.25 a week. Lives alone in a council flat she is also in receipt of PIP highest for care and mobility. She applied for pension credit online has received a letter in the post notifying that she is not entitled to PC. On the page statement of details provided it…
UC & Private pension contributions.
Hi all. Im on Universal Credit and want to pay into a private pension. I’ve tried asking UC how this would work, how I’d declare this and what would be affected and they can’t seem to give me a clear answer. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Marcus

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MSE News

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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
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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
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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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