List of freebies and discounts DWP Universal Credit claimants can get in August

People who claim Universal Credit can take advantage of a number of other schemes to help with their finances.

You can claim this benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if you are unemployed or you are working but on a low income. There are rules you need to follow and if you break them, you could lose your benefit payments.

There is no set level for how much money you get every month. What you get is dependent on your personal circumstances which include things like age, whether you live in a couple, and whether you have children.

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However, the more you earn through work, the less Universal Credit you receive. How much your benefit is reduced is down to the taper rate. The taper rate is currently 55% which means 55p is deducted from your maximum Universal Credit payment for every £1 you earn, reports BirminghamLive.

Many claimants may not be aware that they can get some freebies or discounts if they get Universal Credit. Here is a list of the schemes you can check out.

Cheap broadband - save £300

You could get free wifi if your provider is TalkTalk, Virgin Media, BT or Vodaphone. Different providers have different eligibility criteria, but usually, this is for claimants who are on benefits and looking for work. Visit your provider’s website to find out what you could be eligible for.

Council tax - £2,171

Universal Credit claimants can also get money off their Council Tax bills in the form of a Council Tax Reduction or Council Tax Support. This will give you money off your Council Tax or wipe it completely, dependent on circumstances. You can apply for the support via the government website.

Energy bill help - up to £2,000

You could get support with your energy bills through hardship funds, depending on your energy provider. Scottish Power has hardship funds worth £750 per home for those on certain benefits, for example. Speak to your energy provider to see what you might be eligible for.

Pregnancy grant - £500

A Sure Start Maternity Grant is £500 and you do not have to pay it back. You might be able to get the grant if you’re having twins or triplets. How much you’ll get depends on the children you already have. Usually, to get a Sure Start Maternity Grant you must have no other children under 16. You or your partner must also get one of these benefits:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
• Universal Credit

You may also qualify if you’re getting a Support for Mortgage Interest loan.

Free childcare - £1,739

If you claim Universal Credit, you can claim back some of your childcare costs from the government. This is for costs of up to £1,014.63 for one child and £1,739.37 for two or more children. You can get 85% of your costs paid up to a maximum of £1,014 for one child or £1,739 for two or more kids. You used to have to pay childcare costs yourself up front and then claim the money back through Universal Credit.

Water bill help - £1,000

You could have your water bills capped if someone in your household claims Universal Credit. Speak to your water supplier to see what they can do for you – from offering devices that will stop you from using so much water and cut your bills. You can also receive a cap on your water bill via the WaterSure scheme. This is for larger families with three or more children under the age of 19. You can apply for the scheme through your water provider.

Money for health costs - £119

People on certain benefits and meeting specific criteria can get free NHS prescriptions. You can use the Government's eligibility checker tool on its website to find out what you might be in line for. NHS prescriptions currently cost £9.90 in the UK, so, based on one prescription per month, that's a £118.80 saving over the year.

Cheap travel - £150

If you claim Universal Credit, you could get discounted train travel. Speak to your Jobcentre about getting the Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card. This offers 50% off on selected train travel.

And there is then the Flexible Support Fund, which is a pot of money that has been set aside by the Government to help people with the costs of getting a job. The fund is managed by local job centres and can be used to cover the following costs of job hunting:

• Training for a job, up to £150
• Travel to interviews
• Childcare
• Tools for work
• Cost of medical evidence required by a disabled person
• Clothing and uniforms to start work
• Support for single parents in financial emergencies in the first 26 weeks of starting a job.

Free school meals - up to £500

Your kids may be eligible for free school meals throughout primary and secondary school if you claim Universal Credit. This is dependent on the area you live and your personal circumstances. If your family is eligible for free school meals for your child, you can claim by contacting your child’s school or your local council.

Help to Save - £1,200

The Help to Save scheme gives low-income earners claiming universal credit or working tax credit a savings boost. It pays a 50% bonus on the amount saved, up to a maximum of £1,200 over four years.

Help to Save is a type of savings account specially designed for low-paid workers. On the face of it, it's pretty simple. You can save between £1 and £50 a month, but you don't have to save every month. At the end of two and four years, you're paid a 50% bonus, up to a maximum £1,200. It's easy access, so you can make withdrawals if you need to.

Healthy start - £442

The Healthy Start scheme supports pregnant people and families with young children. The free cash support available can be used to fund groceries, including fruit, vegetables, and milk. The scheme provides a weekly allowance of £4.25 for people over 10 weeks pregnant, £8.50 for the first year of a child's life, and £4.25 a week for children aged one to four. Eligibility is based on income levels and entitlement to means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit.