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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…
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…
Dwp rip offs
Hi all me and my wife just migrated from old style esa income related we was claiming carers allowance as well we cancelled carers as soon as uc started but they still continueed to pay for around a month after So esa were deducting carers from our awards which we are fine about as that's been like that for around 10 years…
Telephone Assessment
Hi there, I was in receipt of ESA, but that migrated to Universal Credit back at the beginning of the year. I have received a letter today saying DWP want to carry out an assessment for my ESA claims this is part of the work capability assessment which looks at disability, illness or health condition affects my capability…
Approaching crunch time
I have a number of physical ailments, I won't detail them all here, however I have had a number of investigations which showed an abnormal biology (likely congenital) and an operation. The hope was that the operation would improve things but it was one step forward and one step back, effectively. I am, for all intents and…
Jobcentre woes
Hi, JobCentre visits are really, really, stressing me out at the moment. I am sick (at home) before the meetings and I worry about them continuously for the whole two weeks between them. My GP has indicated willingness to write a fit note to get me off the appointments for a break. Will this mean I don't have to go up…
UC query after only £1.50 received today.
This is on behalf of my sister, as she rang me in distress today over finances. She has just been medically 'retired' from work due to her worsening OCD, which means after 16 years she's now out of work. During the last year or so she's been unable to work so been in full receipt of UC, which has enabled her to pay her…
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…
Musings on changing from UC to Pension Age benefits, and a question.
Next year I reach State Pension Age, 26th Feb 2026. Which means that I will switch from UC to Pension age benefits, and my UC should stop at the end of that AP, ie. on 13th March. As well as the State Pension I have a modest Workplace pension currently in deferral, I will also be claiming Housing Benefit (and Council Tax…
SMI Exemption from Council Tax & student dependents
I am SMI exempt from council tax. My daughter, who lives with me, has attended a Higher level (A level) college course for the past year. I have received child benefit and a UC child allowance for the past year. She is due to start a 1 year HNC course in September. She turned 18 in September 2024. The council tax…
Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and Savings Query
Hello, This is a fairly complex query (well to me it is anyway) but I will try and explain it as simply as I can. Basically I am the sole caregiver for my dad for which I receive Carers Allowance only (I have never applied for UC or the carers element of UC). I also live with him. He gets Housing Benefit and Council Tax…
Loosing council tax reduction due to migration to UC
Hi everyone, any help here would be appreciated. I recently received a migration notice to move from ESA to UC (I also get PIP enhanced on both components). I made my claim and I now receive both ESA and UC (UC reduced by ESA pound for pound). I am in the limited work and work related activity group. I have been told I no…
Thread Title: DWP Carer’s Allowance Backdating Error – Ongoing for 17 Months
Hi everyone, I'm posting on behalf of my sister who has been going through an incredibly frustrating and stressful situation with her Carer’s Allowance claim, and we’re hoping someone here might be able to offer advice or share their experience. Here’s a summary of what’s happened: * Around 17 months ago, my sister…
JSA When Resigning
Hi, I started a new job a couple of months ago after being made redundant in January. I have anxiety and depression, which the job has made worse. It's that bad that simply being at work gives me a headache. I've been looking for a job for the past month and a half, but have only had one interview, so I'm considering…
SAP war pension & uc
Can you apply for UC if you receive Service attributable pension & war pension? Any help will be most grateful
Universal Credit.
Hi, I’m wondering if anyone has experienced this with Universal Credit. I had to leave my job as I have epilepsy and it just got too hard so I had to claim UC. I live with my husband and our 2 children (1 in nursery). We have to pay for the nursery too and that’s £200 pm. There is only his wage coming in obviously but he’s…
Appointee
Hi Guys, I am a certified POA to a family member claiming UC. They suffers from various mental health issues and diabetes with social anxiety and autism as well as Learning disabilities. Can we register the Lasting power of attorney over the phone so she wouldn't have to deal with all the long correspondence from UC? She…
Pip now took as earning in council tax
Now some councils are taking pip as earnings so the council tax will go up,they are also backdating it,they tell you it's a new thing,not all councils doing it but no doubt will be across the board eventually
Winter Fuel Allowance 2023
Could someone tell me please, if the WFA payment of £500 paid in 2023 was tax free? Or was it classed as income for tax purposes?
PIP reassessment
If the proposed changes come about I will lose my standard rate daily living as my max score is 3 in any one category (have 9 points in total) I have always been scored wrongly in "Preparing food" I have scored 2 points for Cannot cook a simple meal using a conventional cooker but is able to do so using a microwave." this…
Reapplying for housing benefit
My mum is a state pensioner who earlier this year had her housing benefit stopped because her savings went over £16k (she has no other income). Her savings have since gone under £16k again, our question is can she now reapply and be eligible for the benefit again, or is there a sanction period that she has to wait? I think…

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MSE News

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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
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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 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
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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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