Benefits
Coronavirus Universal Credit & Benefits
If you're suddenly unable to work due to the coronavirus crisis, or you've been laid off, this guide looks at what benefits you can claim, what you're entitled to under universal credit plus tells you how to make a claim.
1 October 2021
Martin Lewis explains the financial help you can get if you've been 'pinged' and told to self-isolate by the Covid app or NHS Test & Trace
Over 600,000 people in England and Wales were 'pinged' and told to self-isolate by the NHS Covid-19 app between 8 and 14 July, new figures show. If you're one of them, there's a range of financial support you could get.
22 July 2021
Campaigners call for action to fix 'absurd' universal credit flaws stopping vulnerable people getting help managing benefits
Campaigners have called on the Government to fix "absurd flaws" with the benefits system that prevent vulnerable people from getting help from family and friends to manage their Universal Credit accounts. Without this help, campaigners warn claimants ultimately risk losing their benefits.
26 May 2021
More than 85,000 universal credit claimants could see payments rise from today after rule change
More than 85,000 universal credit claimants could see an increase to their payments from today after a Government rule change came into force
16 November 2020
Scottish parents can now apply for a £250 grant for school-age children
Applications are now open for a new £250 payment for low-income families in Scotland, which is paid when your child is old enough to start school
10 June 2019
Over £10 billion of benefits left unclaimed
Government figures released today show that up to an estimated £10.1 billion of pension credit, housing benefit and income support were left unclaimed in a single year
15 November 2018
Budget 2018: What you need to know, incl changes to tax, benefits, Premium Bonds & more
Read our full round-up of the Chancellor Philip Hammond's 2018 Budget
30 October 2018
Government trials online personal independence payment appeals - check if you're eligible
Claimants of the personal independence payment will be able to submit appeals online as part of a Government trial
29 May 2018
70,000 ESA claimants to be repaid £1,000s
About 70,000 people on employment and support allowance could be in line to receive up to £20,000 each
21 March 2018
Universal credit delays causing rent arrears to 'drop off a cliff', MPs warned
MPs have been warned that delays in benefit payments under universal credit are pushing more people into debt
14 September 2017
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Virgin Media and O2 launch Volt, their first joint product which offers to boost mobile data and broadband speeds for customers of both firms – how it works
20 October 2021![]()
Newly-merged O2 and Virgin Media have launched a new product called Volt, allowing eligible customers to get their mobile data allowances doubled and their broadband speeds boosted to the next level at no extra charge. -
Lloyds to shut 41 branches and Halifax to close seven - here's a full list of the impacted sites
20 October 2021![]()
Lloyds Banking Group, which owns Lloyds and Halifax, is to shut 48 branches next year, citing a fall in customer demand for the closures. We have full details below on which banks are being closed and what to do if your local branch is affected. -
State pension to increase by 3.1% next April giving some retirees an extra £5.55/wk
20 October 2021![]()
More than 10 million pensioners could see their state pension rise by £5.55/wk from April 2022 after the Office for National Statistics (ONS) confirmed that inflation stood at 3.1% in the year to September - a figure that is typically used to calculate the following year's state pension increase. -
Millions of BT landline customers could be in line for up to £500 if a new class action case is successful
20 October 2021![]()
BT is facing a £600 million class action case after it's been claimed some 2.3 million customers have been overcharged for their landline since October 2015. -
Households in England and Wales to be offered new £5,000 Government grant from April 2022 to help replace gas boilers with heat pumps
19 October 2021![]()
Brits wanting to fit a low-carbon heat pump in their homes in England and Wales could receive a £5,000 grant from the Government to help replace less efficient gas boilers from April 2022. The initiative is part of a £3.9 billion project to make all heating systems low carbon by 2035.
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Five things EVERYONE should know about student finance
21 September 2021![]()
There are more myths and misunderstandings about student finance than any other subject. So in this blog is my updated 2021/22 version of the must knows, with links to far more info. -
Is it time to ban Christmas presents?
14 September 2021![]()
Update September 2017: It’s eight years since I first braved this subject, expecting a snowstorm of protest. Instead, year after year more join in, like Julia who recently tweeted me, “@MartinSLewis, finally took your advice and told my family I can’t afford Christmas presents. What a weight off my mind. Thank you.” One year even the Archbishop of...
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