This festive interval will probably be a distinct sort of vacation for a lot of households because of the ongoing price of dwelling disaster. Hovering vitality payments and record-breaking inflation implies that cash issues are on the forefront of spending, prioritising sensible wants and staying within the black somewhat than stretching family budgets to breaking level.
This week presents the right alternative to be sure you are claiming every part you're entitled to. The downtime away from work, or simply benefiting from the change in routine because of the seasonal shutdown, means everybody can take a couple of minutes to test they're maximising their earnings - whether or not they're in work or not.
Many individuals mistakenly consider there's a stigma connected to claiming advantages, nevertheless it’s worthwhile noting an estimated £15 billion state assist from the Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) went unclaimed during the last 12 months.
The Scottish Authorities just lately launched a brand new web site, providing a 'one cease store' to assist households and people rapidly test for extra assist - discover out extra right here.
Common Credit score
The primary one to test your eligibility for is Common Credit score which is designed to assist households on a low earnings or out of labor.
Learn how to declare Common Credit score
The UK Authorities states that an individual might be able to get Common Credit score if:
You might be on a low-income or out of labor
You might be 18 or over (there are some exceptions for those who’re 16 to 17)
You might be beneath State Pension age (or your associate is)
You and your associate have £16,000 or much less in financial savings between you
You reside within the UK
In case you stay together with your associate, their earnings and financial savings will probably be taken under consideration, even when they aren't eligible for Common Credit score.
It's price noting that you simply will not be capable to get any of the means-tested advantages in case your capital and financial savings quantity to greater than the higher restrict of £16,000.
These embrace:
Common Credit score
Earnings-related Employment and Help Allowance
Earnings-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Earnings Help
Housing Profit
Nevertheless, your financial savings and capital (or your associate’s financial savings, capital and earnings) are usually not taken under consideration when claiming ‘New Model’ Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) and this explicit profit might be obtained concurrently Common Credit score - or by itself.
‘New Model’ JSA is a contribution-based profit. This implies you might be able to get it for those who’ve paid sufficient Nationwide Insurance coverage (NI) contributions within the two full tax years earlier than the 12 months you’re claiming in.
It's paid fortnightly and for those who qualify, you may get 'New Model' JSA for as much as 182 days.
In case you qualify for each ‘New Model’ JSA and Common Credit score, any ‘New Model’ JSA you obtain will probably be taken under consideration as earnings for Common Credit score.
To make a declare for Common Credit score, go to the gov.uk web site right here and for extra data on claiming Jobseeker's Allowance, learn extra right here.
Common Credit score funds (month-to-month charges proven)
Customary allowance
Single
Single beneath 25: £265.31
Single 25 or over: £334.91
Couple
Joint claimants each beneath 25: £416.45
Joint claimants, one or each 25 or over: £525.72
Private Independence Fee (PIP)
Who can declare: Individuals over 16 and beneath State Pension age
How a lot it’s price: Between £97.80 and £627.60 each 4 weeks
What's it: A profit delivered by the DWP to individuals with a long-term sickness, incapacity or bodily or psychological well being situation - together with an ever-growing vary of hidden circumstances and long-term Covid.
PIP is non-means examined, tax-free and accessible to these out and in of labor, it can be claimed on prime of different advantages as it isn't affected by the advantages cap - discover out extra right here.
Grownup Incapacity Fee (ADP)
This devolved profit has now changed new claims for PIP for individuals dwelling in Scotland. The cost charges and eligibility guidelines are the identical as for PIP, the primary distinction is the appliance course of.
Discover out extra about claiming ADP right here.
Incapacity Residing Allowance (DLA) / Youngster Incapacity Fee (Scotland solely)
Who can declare: Youngsters beneath 16
How a lot it’s price: Between £97.80 and £627.60 each 4 weeks
What's it: DLA claimants in Scotland at the moment are being transferred from DWP to the brand new devolved profit, Youngster Incapacity Fee being delivered by Social Safety Scotland.
Each advantages pay the identical charges and have the identical eligibility standards for PIP.
Discover out extra about DLA right here and Youngster Incapacity Fee right here.
Scottish Youngster Fee
Who can clam: Eligible dad and mom with youngsters beneath 16
How a lot it’s price: £25 per week, per little one
What's it: Scottish Youngster Fee helps in direction of the prices of supporting your loved ones in case you are on a low earnings - discover out extra right here.
Greatest Begin Meals
Who can declare: In case you or your associate are getting sure advantages or Tax Credit, otherwise you or your associate are pregnant, or are the primary particular person taking care of a child or little one who's the appropriate age for a cost.
How a lot it’s price: The cost is price £18 throughout being pregnant and for any youngsters between one and three-years-old. It's £36 for youngsters beneath the age of 1.
What's it: A profit paid by Social Safety Scotland each 4 weeks on a pre-paid card to purchase wholesome meals together with eggs, milk, fruit and greens - discover out extra right here.
Greatest Begin Grants
Who can declare: Dad and mom and carers on low incomes.
What's it and the way a lot is it price: It's made up of three separate funds - the Being pregnant and Child Fee is - a one-off cost of £606 for a primary little one or £303 for a second or later little one. The Early Studying Fee is a one-off cost of £252.50 in case your little one is between 2 and three 1/2 years previous. The Faculty Age Fee is a one-off cost of £252.50.
You can't get Greatest Begin Grant or Greatest Begin Meals for those who solely get Youngster Profit - you need to nonetheless be getting one of many advantages or funds from this record to have the ability to get Greatest Begin Grant or Greatest Begin Meals - discover out extra right here.
Attendance Allowance
Who can declare: Individuals over State Pension age.
How a lot it is price: You may be paid both £61.85 or £92.40 each week.
What's it: A profit delivered by the DWP that helps with additional prices you probably have a incapacity extreme sufficient that you simply want somebody to assist take care of you. It may additionally enable you to keep impartial in your personal residence longer - discover out extra about claiming Attendance Allowance right here.
Carer’s Allowance
Who can declare: Individuals who spend no less than 35 hours per week caring for somebody.
How a lot it is price: £278.80 each 4 weeks. In Scotland there are additionally two extra funds of £245.70 annually as a part of the Carer’s Allowance Complement. The subsequent cost will probably be in June 2023, to qualify you must have made a declare for Carer's Allowance on or earlier than April 10, 2023.
What's it: A profit for individuals who assist somebody with washing and cooking, taking them to appointments or serving to with family duties corresponding to managing payments and purchasing - discover out extra about Carer’s Allowance and the complement right here.
Pension Credit score
Who can declare: Individuals in receipt of State Pension.
How a lot it is price: The determine is set by numerous elements, together with financial savings, however is probably price as much as £3,500 per 12 months.
What's it: A profit delivered by the DWP for older individuals to assist with the prices of retirement. Kt consists of extra reductions together with a free TV Licence for these over 75 (price £159), Council Tax Discount (price £1,000 to £2,000 per 12 months), Need Houses Low cost (price £150) and extra - discover out extra about Pension Credit score right here.
New claims for Pension Credit score made earlier than December 19, 2022 which later transform profitable will even qualify for the second price of dwelling cost of £324.
Advantages Calculators
These are a fast and straightforward solution to establish any advantages it's possible you'll be entitled to assert.
They're impartial and fully confidential, all it's important to do is enter private and monetary particulars about your present circumstances - discover out extra about advantages calculators right here.
Different methods to spice up your earnings
Council Tax Reductions, Reductions and Exemptions
Council Tax is paid in 10 or 12 equal month-to-month instalments to your native council, nonetheless, there are a selection of the way to cut back the price of this annual invoice.
These embrace:
- In case you stay alone
- In case you are disabled
- In case you stay with somebody beneath 18 or a scholar
- In case you are a carer
- If there are main modifications to the worth of your property
Generally, reductions in your Council Tax invoice may very well be backdated, so don’t delay making an enquiry - discover out extra particulars right here.
TV Licence low cost or refund
TV Licence guidelines modified final 12 months which suggests everybody pays for it, together with these on State Pension. The one solution to keep away from the £159 charge is to be aged over 75 and in receipt of Pension Credit score.
People who find themselves registered blind or severely sight impaired are entitled to a half value TV Licence and could also be eligible for a refund. When somebody with a extreme sight impairment applies for a TV Licence they're required to submit proof of their incapacity - a blind registration letter is the commonest kind - and from that TV Licensing could establish an overpayment, particularly for those who’ve been paying by direct debit, and situation a refund - discover out extra right here.
Declare £252 tax break only for being married or in a civil partnership
HMRC just lately introduced that almost 1.8 million married couples and people in civil partnerships are utilizing Marriage Allowance to save lots of as much as £252 a 12 months in Earnings Tax,
Marriage Allowance permits married couples or these in civil partnerships to share their private tax allowances if one associate earns an earnings beneath their Private Allowance threshold of £12,570 and the opposite is a starter, fundamental or intermediate charge taxpayer.
They will switch 10 per cent of their tax-free allowance to their associate, which is £1,260 in 2023/23.
It means couples can cut back the tax they pay by as much as £252 a 12 months they usually can backdate their claims for any of the 4 earlier tax years, which may very well be price as much as a complete of £1,220. - discover out extraright here.
To maintain updated with the most recent advantages information, be a part of our Cash Saving Scotland Fb web page right here, or subscribe to our publication which matches out 4 instances every week - join right here.