{"id":98221,"date":"2023-08-27T09:21:15","date_gmt":"2023-08-27T09:21:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebritycovernews.com\/?p=98221"},"modified":"2023-08-27T09:21:15","modified_gmt":"2023-08-27T09:21:15","slug":"how-get-free-cash-worth-6522-on-universal-credit-you-dont-have-to-pay-back-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebritycovernews.com\/lifestyle\/how-get-free-cash-worth-6522-on-universal-credit-you-dont-have-to-pay-back-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"How get free cash worth \u00a36,522 on Universal Credit you don\u2019t have to pay back | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

MILLIONS of households on Universal Credit can get up to \u00a36,522 in free cash and the best thing is, they won't have to pay it back.<\/p>\n

With the cost of living still stubbornly high, it's more important than ever to take advantage of all the help available to you.<\/p>\n

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From bill discounts and cash for school uniforms, we've rounded-up some of the extra support that is available to people on Universal Credit.<\/p>\n

The exact help you can get depends on your circumstances, but isn't necessarily just for those on\u00a0benefits.<\/p>\n

If you were eligible for them all it could give you a boost of up to \u00a36,522.<\/p>\n

Below we explain how each one works, who can get it and how to claim.<\/p>\n

READ MORE IN MONEY<\/span><\/h2>\n

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Another broadband firm launches bill support for people on Universal Credit<\/h3>\n

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Full list of 12 benefits being paid early TODAY including Universal Credit<\/h3>\n

1. Household Support Fund – up to \u00a31,000<\/h2>\n

Struggling households can claim free cash via the government's\u00a0Household Support Fund\u00a0(HSF).<\/p>\n

The scheme was first brought in in 2021 with the aim to\u00a0support vulnerable households.<\/p>\n

Currently, it's worth \u00a3842million and the pot of\u00a0cash\u00a0has been shared between councils in\u00a0England.<\/p>\n

Those\u00a0councils\u00a0then decide how to distribute their share of the fund among residents.<\/p>\n

Most read in Money<\/h2>\n

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FRESH HOPE <\/span><\/p>\n

Retail chain 'in pole position' to take over Wilko brand if rescue falls through<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n

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BARGAIN BUY <\/span><\/p>\n

B&M shoppers rush to buy \u2018gorgeous\u2019 furniture scanning at \u00a310 instead of \u00a3120<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n

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on the edge <\/span><\/p>\n

Man who won \u00a33m Omaze mansion abandons it over fears it could crumble into SEA<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n

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POT LUCK <\/span><\/p>\n

I accidentally bought 6 lotto tickets & almost cancelled them – then I won big<\/h3>\n<\/section>\n

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hat means what you can get depends on where you live.<\/p>\n

In many cases, help is offered to households on\u00a0benefits\u00a0or a low income, but that's not always the case.<\/p>\n

Help includes free cash, grocery vouchers, or white goods.<\/p>\n

The amount you are entitled to will vary depending on the area you live in too and each council will have a different application process.<\/p>\n

To find your local council, use the\u00a0gov.uk council finder tool.<\/p>\n

For example,\u00a0residents living in Torridge\u00a0can get between \u00a3600 and \u00a31,000 and thousands of residents in\u00a0Cornwall can get \u00a3160 in support.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, those living in Medway in Kent can\u00a0apply for up to \u00a3210 in support\u00a0and in\u00a0Bracknell there's \u00a3390 of supermarket vouchers being handed out.<\/p>\n

Bear in mind that some councils may not currently be accepting applications, or they may be opening soon,m so be sure to check first.<\/p>\n

2. Free childcare – \u00a31,630<\/h2>\n

In a change that was introduced this summer, \u00a0childcare costs\u00a0will be paid upfront for many parents and the amount they get has gone up.<\/p>\n

It's a huge win for\u00a0The Sun\u2019s Make Universal Credit Work campaign, and around 120,000 families on\u00a0Universal Credit\u00a0who are eligible for childcare payments will benefit.<\/p>\n

The amount of cash parents can claim has risen from \u00a3646 to \u00a3951 for one child, and from \u00a31,108 to \u00a31,630 for two – an increase of \u00a3522.<\/p>\n

But it's important to note that while the new rates came into force earlier this summer, most won't see their payments rise until August.<\/p>\n

Parents may also be able to take advantage of other childcare support, whether you're claiming Universal Credit or not,\u00a0including up to 30 hours of free childcare.<\/p>\n

3. School Uniform grants – \u00a3100s<\/h2>\n

Families struggling with the cost of living can get \u00a3100s in\u00a0free cash to help pay for school uniforms.<\/p>\n

Local councils have the authority to provide\u00a0parents\u00a0with grants to help them buy skirts, trousers and more under the\u00a0Education\u00a0Act 1990.<\/p>\n

But there's no\u00a0legal\u00a0obligation for them to offer help so what you are entitled to can be a postcode lottery, plus you might not get any help at all.<\/p>\n

Scheme eligibility and availability can vary depending on where you live so it's worth checking what's available where you are.<\/p>\n

While there is no exact criteria for receiving a school uniform grant, they are typically available to people on\u00a0benefits\u00a0such as\u00a0Universal Credit, Jobseeker's allowance and Child\u00a0Tax\u00a0Credits.<\/p>\n

Children who qualify for\u00a0free school meals\u00a0will usually also qualify for school uniform grants as well, so long as your council offers grants.<\/p>\n

What you can get depends on where you live, as there's no statutory duty to offer grants across the whole of the UK.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, households in\u00a0Scotland\u00a0can get grants worth up to \u00a3120 for each primary school age child and \u00a3150 for every secondary school age child.<\/p>\n

In England, what you can get will vary depending on what council area you fall under.<\/p>\n

The best thing to do is contact your local council to see if you can get any help, and then find out what the application process involves.<\/p>\n

4. Energy bill grants – up to \u00a31,500<\/h2>\n

Several suppliers offer\u00a0energy\u00a0bill help through hardship funds and give out grants.<\/p>\n

These can be worth up to \u00a31,500 and you don't need to repay the cash.<\/p>\n

British Gas\u00a0has a hardship fund for struggling households – and you don't have to be a customer to apply.<\/p>\n

The cash can be used to pay off energy bill arrears, but you need to get debt advice first to be eligible –\u00a0find out more about how to apply.<\/p>\n

Other suppliers are also offering\u00a0similar help to their own customers.<\/p>\n

Check with yours directly to see what they offer. Eligibility and how much you get can vary between them.<\/p>\n

7. Sure Start grant – \u00a3500<\/h2>\n

Some new parents can get \u00a3500 in free cash through a pretty unknown scheme.<\/p>\n

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a payment that comes from the Government and is issued to new or expectant parents.<\/p>\n

The money is designed to help you cover the costs of having a\u00a0child.<\/p>\n

You usually qualify if you're\u00a0pregnant\u00a0with your first child\u00a0or are expecting a multiple birth (such as twins) and have children already.<\/p>\n

Either you or your partner must also be receiving any of the below benefits:<\/p>\n