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.    

More than 85,000 universal credit claimants could see an increase to their payments from today after a Government rule change came into force.

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. 

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.

Income tax cuts will be brought in a year earlier than planned and an extra £1 billion spent to help protect those moving onto universal credit, as part of the 2018 Budget unveiled by the Chancellor Philip Hammond.

Claimants of the personal independence payment will be able to submit appeals online as part of a Government trial.

About 70,000 people on employment and support allowance could be in line to receive up to £20,000 each after being underpaid by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Delays in universal credit benefit payments for housing costs are leaving claimants unable to pay rent and pushing some deep into debt, a committee of MPs has heard.

A scheme to give free sanitary products to women on low incomes has been launched in Scotland.

Up to 230,000 unpaid carers are putting their state pension in jeopardy by not claiming carer's credit – a benefit that plugs gaps in your national insurance record when you're not able to work because you're caring for someone.