BENEFIT BOOST
Little known way to get half price travel if you get Universal Credit
All the support available to those applying for work while claiming benefit
THOSE on Universal Credit can claim half price travel using a little-known trick.
Recipients of the benefit can claim the discount on bus and train travel - and it could save you a small fortune.
1
The JobCentre Plus Travel Discount Card is available to those on Universal Credit and sometimes Jobseeker's Allowance.
It's free to apply and cuts the cost of travelling on public transport across England, Scotland and Wales.
The card is valid for up to three months and is accepted by most train and bus operators including Transport for London and Stagecoach.
It's designed to help those looking for work travel to job interviews at a lower cost.
READ MORE IN MONEY
To be eligible applicants must:
- Be claiming Universal Credit or Jobseeker's Allowance
- Be between 18 and 24 years' old and have been unemployed for 13 to 39 weeks.
- Be aged 25 and over and unemployed for 13 to 52 weeks.
To apply, you'll need to go to a JobCentre Plus office.
You can find your nearest one .
Most read in Money
However, even if you meet these criteria there's no guarantee you'll receive a card as they're handed out at the discretion of work coaches.
But, even if you can't get a card it's worth checking if you can get discounted travel tickets with some operators, including Greater Anglia, offering free tickets for those travelling to job interviews.
Shifting from Legacy Benefits to Universal Credit
The train operator's scheme is available to those who have been unemployed for at least six months or have recently left education and entitles them to six free fares.
There is other help available for those searching for work and on Universal Credit through the Restart Scheme.
The scheme helps those looking for work to cover costs including childcare and transport.
Your JobCentre work coach can help you make a claim through the scheme, which can also provide support with with skills training, job applications and interview preparation among other things.
Plus, there's the Flexible Support Fund, which is a pot of money that has been put aside by the Government to help with the costs of getting a job.
The fund is managed by local job centres and distributed at their discretion.
It can be used to cover the following costs of job hunting:
- Training for a job
- 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.
You can find out more about how to apply in our guide.
Struggling households on Universal Credit can top up their income with 14 freebies and discounts.
Read More on The Sun
From free cash grants to discounts on childcare we have rounded up all the help available here.
Benefits include the Warm Home Discount, Household Support Fund and free prescriptions.
Everything you need to know about Universal Credit
- What is Universal Credit? Everything you need to know including how to apply
- Universal Credit calculator: How much can I claim and how do I apply?
- Universal Credit login: How do I sign in to my online account?
- How much can I earn before Universal Credit is reduced and do I get a work allowance?
- What is a Universal Credit advance payment? How to apply and pay it back
- Are Universal Credit payments going up and how much more will I get?
- How to claim Universal Credit if you’re self-employed
- How many hours can I work on Universal Credit and will my payment be reduced?
- What is a Universal Credit budgeting advance and how much could I get?
- What is the Universal Credit housing element and how much of your rent does it pay?
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Plus, you can join our Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Topics