Universal Credit (UC) entitles recipients to various freebies and discounts, most notably free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests, and help with glasses. Other support includes reduced travel fares, free school meals/uniform grants, council tax reduction, and, depending on earnings, support for energy/water bills.
You might be able to get a Jobcentre Plus travel discount card. This gives you half-price train tickets for up to 3 months. You can apply for this if you claim Universal Credit and either: you're aged 18 to 24 and you've been getting the benefit for between 3 and 9 months.
You may be entitled to other benefits, for example: Carer's Allowance. Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (parts of Constant Attendance Allowance and Exceptionally Severe Disablement Allowance may not be included) Maternity Allowance.
If you're entitled to free NHS prescriptions because you claim Universal Credit and your take home pay is under the limit, tick box 'U' on the prescription form. Not all prescription forms have a tick box for Universal Credit. If that's the case you should tick box 'K' for income-based Jobseeker's Allowance instead.
Budgeting Advances. If you already receive Universal Credit, you may be able to get a Budgeting Advance to help pay for emergency household costs, or for help getting a job or staying in work. This may include: help getting a job or staying in work, such as work clothes, tools, travelling expenses and childcare costs.
Extra help if you get universal credit
you've not paid off any previous Budgeting Advance loans (you can only have one at a time)
Depending on your income, you'll be entitled to help towards the cost of your glasses or contact lenses if you're receiving Universal Credit.
If you get Universal Credit (UC), you'll get free dental treatment if your income is below certain limits. You must get UC as a single person or a member of a couple. During your most recent assessment period your earnings, or combined earnings with your partner, must have been: £435 or less.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is pushing claimants into debt, including into the arms of pay day loan companies and loan sharks. Universal Credit is having a detrimental impact on claimants' mental health which is increasing the risk of suicide. The application process is unfair, complicated and difficult to access.
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London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo
Families can purchase tickets starting at £4 (children under 3 are free) for any day of the week until September 2024. To be eligible, you must be receiving Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, or Jobseeker's Allowance.
Universal Credit has replaced these benefits for most people:
You may be able to get a grant to cover a longer period if your next income payment would not be enough to pay your essential living expenses. You may also be entitled to a Universal Credit advance while you wait for a Universal Credit payment.
The types you can get include:
If you need dental work but have no money, your best options are federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), dental schools, and nonprofit programs like the Dental Lifeline Network, which offer care on a sliding scale or for free based on income, disability, or age. You can also find low-cost clinics through state health departments or look into charitable events like Mission of Mercy for free care, but be aware waitlists can be long.
People who get free prescriptions often include those with low income, seniors (Medicare/Medicaid), individuals with specific chronic illnesses, children, pregnant women, and those receiving certain government benefits, though eligibility varies significantly by country (like UK's NHS) or specific US program (Patient Assistance Programs, State Programs, 340B clinics). Programs help cover costs for uninsured or underinsured individuals through manufacturer support, state aid, or federal programs like Medicare's Extra Help.
You may get more money on top of your standard allowance if you're eligible. You will need to report changes when you become eligible for an extra amount. They are not added automatically. For example, if you become a carer you need to tell DWP.
explain why you need an advance. verify your identity (you'll do this when you apply online or on the phone with a work coach) provide bank account details for the advance (talk to a Universal Credit contact at your local jobcentre or your work coach if you cannot open an account) explain any money or savings you have.
Freebies you can get if you claim universal credit
Talk to your work coach about how much you can ask for. You'll pay your advance back through monthly deductions from your Universal Credit. Ask your work coach how much the deductions will be. If you borrow a whole month's payment make sure you keep some back to pay your rent.