Universal Credit Blog #11: Extra Support for UC Claimants

• Discretionary Housing Payment - if your Universal Credit payment is not enough to pay your rent.
• Cold Weather Payments - these are available in the winter months and depend on the temperature in your local area.
• Council Tax Support - you can apply for Council Tax Reduction before your Universal Credit claim has been approved or paid.
• WaterSure – to cap your water bill if you have a water meter.

• Healthy Start vouchers – if you are pregnant or have a child under 4
• Free early education for two-year-olds
• Free school meals
• Sure Start maternity grants - if you're expecting your first child or a multiple birth (e.g. twins)

• Advance and hardship payments - if you are waiting your first payment or have been sanctioned*
• Budgeting advance - to cover emergency costs, help you to get a job or stay in work*
• Support with growing your savings through a Help to Save account

*It's important to know that you will be expected to repay any funds you receive from an Advance and hardship payment or a budgeting advance. Repayments will be deducted from your future Universal Credit payments, so bear this in mind before you apply.

• Prescriptions and dental treatment
• Legal aid - to help with costs of family mediation, legal advice or representation in court
• Funeral costs