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Free cash you can get on Universal Credit at any time worth up to £29,000 – and you don’t have to pay it back
Find out what benefits you could be entitled to
STRUGGLING households on Universal Credit could be missing out on a treasure trove of cash.
Even better, none of the cash or benefits need to be paid back whatsoever.
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From free childcare and school meals to help with energy bills and even funeral costs, there’s a raft of support available that could be worth up to £29,000 a year.
As families continue to feel the pinch of the cost-of-living , it’s really important to know what help is available and claim any additional benefits that you’re entitled to.
Here’s how to make sure you’re not leaving money on the table.
Household Support Fund – Up to £600
Firstly, if you’re struggling to keep up with day-to-day costs, you might be able to get help from your local council through the Household Support Fund.
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The fund is designed to help families pay for essentials like energy, water bills, food, and white goods.
Some councils offer up to £600, but amounts and eligibility vary, so check with your local authority.
You can find out more about how to apply here.
School Uniform Grants – Up to £200
Kitting out the kids for school can be pricey, but many councils offer uniform grants to help.
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In Wales, families can get up to £200 per child, while in England, amounts vary by council. For example, Southwark Council offers a £45 voucher for 11-year-olds moving to secondary school.
Energy Bill Grants – Up to £1,500
For those facing a hefty bill, some providers, like British Gas, offer grants up to £1,500 to help customers in need.
Eligibility varies, so contact your supplier to see what’s available.
What energy bill help is available?
There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
Help to Save – £1,200 Over Four Years
The Help to Save scheme rewards you for putting money aside.
Save up to £50 a month, and the government will add a 50% bonus which is up to £1,200 over four years.
As of April 2025, all working individuals on Universal Credit earning £1 or more are eligible.
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Healthy Start – Up to £442 a Year
For families expecting a baby or that already have children under four, the Healthy Start scheme provides prepaid cards to buy essentials like milk, fruit, and vegetables.
You could get up to £442 a year, depending on your circumstances.
Free School Meals – Worth Up to £967 a Year
Children in households on Universal Credit with an income below £7,400 a year may be eligible for free school meals.
With the average meal costing £2.65, that’s a potential saving of £967 per child annually.
Council Tax Support – Up to £2,280
Many councils offer reductions on council tax for those on Universal Credit.
Depending on your circumstances, you could get up to 100% off, saving you as much as £2,280 a year.
Water Bill Help – Up to £328.50
Water companies offer social tariffs for low-income households. For instance, Affinity Water caps bills at £119.50 annually for eligible customers, compared to the average £448 bill.
This could save you an extra £328.50.
Childcare Cash – Up to £21,227 a Year
Parents on Universal Credit can now claim back up to 85% of childcare costs, with the monthly cap raised to £1,768.94 for two or more children as of April 2025.
That’s a whopping £21,227 a year and you can even get the cash upfront if you’re starting a new job or increasing your hours.
What help is available to parents for childcare costs?
CHILDCARE can be a costly business. Here is how you can get help.
- 30 hours of free childcare - Parents of three and four-year-olds can apply for 30 hours of free childcare a week.
To qualify you must work at least 16 hours a week at the national living or minimum wage and earn less than £100,000 a year. - Tax credits - For children under 20, some families can get help with childcare costs.
- Tax-free childcare - Available to working families and the self-employed, for every £8 you put in the government will add an extra £2.
Funeral Expenses Payment – Up to £1,000
If you’re arranging a funeral and receive Universal Credit, you might be eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment of up to £1,000 to cover costs like burial fees and travel.
Mums expecting their first child can claim a one-off £500 Sure Start Maternity Grant to help with the costs of a new baby.
Apply from 11 weeks before your due date up to six months after the birth.
Free NHS Prescriptions and More
If you’re on Universal Credit and meet certain income criteria, you may be entitled to free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, and eye tests. This can save you hundreds over the year.
Flexible Support Fund – Amounts Vary
The Flexible Support Fund helps cover costs related to starting or staying in work, such as travel, childcare, or uniforms.
Managed by Jobcentres, the amount you can get varies, so speak to your work coach for details.
Free legal advice
You could get help through Legal Aid if you’re at risk of homelessness or eviction.
Legal aid can also help meet the costs of family mediation and representation in a court or tribunal.
For instance, gov.uk says you might get legal aid if:
- you or your family are at risk of abuse or serious harm, for example domestic violence or forced marriage
- you’re at risk of homelessness or losing your home
- you’ve been accused of a crime, face prison or detention
- you’re being discriminated against
- you need family mediation
- you’re adding legal arguments or bringing a case under the Human Rights Act
You’ll usually need to show that you cannot afford to pay for this help, and you might even have to pay some money towards the legal costs of your case or pay costs back later.
The government has a you can use to see if you might be eligible.
Cheap Broadband – Save Up to £196.68 a Year
Broadband providers like BT offer social tariffs for those on Universal Credit, with prices starting at £15 a month.
Switching from the average £26.39 monthly bill could save you £196.68 annually.
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- Virgin Media Essentials: £12.50/month for 15Mbps or £20/month for 54Mbps. No setup cost and a rolling 30-day contract.
- Sky Broadband Basics: £20/month for 36Mbps. 18-month contract, no setup fee.
- Vodafone Essentials: £12/month for 38Mbps or £20/month for 73Mbps. 12-month contract.
- Hyperoptic Fair Fibre: £15/month for 50Mbps or £20/month for 150Mbps. Rolling contract, available in select urban areas.
- NOW Broadband Basics: £20/month for 36Mbps. Includes line rental and has no setup cost.
- TalkTalk: Offers its Future Fibre social tariff in partnership with the DWP. It's available to benefit claimants and provides full-fibre speeds at a lower cost.
Its always important to check what you may be eligible to receive to make sure you're getting all the help you can.
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