Universal Credit claimants could get cash boost in Autumn Budget

Some 20 million Britons currently receive some form of benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), including almost six million people who rely on Universal Credit. Every year the Government confirms whether benefit payments will increase in line with inflation or wages. This year, as soaring food and energy bill prices eat into people’s disposable income, many will be hoping the Chancellor announces the new benefit rates will rise in line with the September inflation figure of 10.1 percent. Universal Credit claimants will be hoping payments rise in line with inflation (Image: Getty)Meanwhile, millions of people on Universal Credit will be hoping to receive their second cost of living support payment this month – if they haven’t already – to help them pay their energy bills and meet the rising cost of the food shop.Payments of £324 are being sent to people on Universal Credit between November 8 and 23, however, not everyone will receive it.On GOV.UK it states: “You will not be eligible for the Cost of Living Payment if your Universal Credit is reduced to £0 for the qualifying assessment period. This is sometimes called a ‘nil award’.”Reasons your Universal Credit may be reduced to £0 for an assessment period include getting more than one payment of earnings, your or your partner’s earnings go up, your or your partner’s savings go up, you start getting another benefit.”DON’T MISSPensioners face losing £370 a month if they do not report to DWP [WARNING]’Living’ state pension could create ‘adequate income’ for pensioners [INSIGHT]Sunak and Hunt may bring in inheritance tax change ‘via backdoor’ [WARNING]10 tips to save hundreds of pounds on your Christmas shopping 2022 [INSIGHT]Universal Credit if for people who are out of work or on a low income. To claim people must:live in the UKbe aged 18 or over (there are some exceptions if for those 16 to 17)be under State Pension agehave £16,000 or less in money, savings and investmentsIt’s a good idea to use a benefits calculator to check what benefits someone could be entitled to.READ MORE: Five remote jobs where you can work from anywhere and earn up to £136k What is universal credit? (Image: Express)Universal Credit claimants can also claim 30 DWP benefits and freebies such as:Reduced council tax billsCapped water billsHalf price busDiscounted rail faresFree or discounted gym membershipHelp with new job costsWarm Home Discount Scheme of £140 off fuel bills£25 in Cold Weather PaymentsFree or cheap broadband from TalkTalk, Virgin Media and BTCheap BT phone callsFree prescriptions for people with zero income or those on a low incomeFree dental treatmentEye tests and discounted glassesFree school transportFree school mealsDiscounted childcare costs£150 towards school uniforms – dependent on the local authority£1,200 free cash as part of the Government’s Help to Save schemeFood vouchers for kids as part of the Healthy Start schemeMaternity grant up to £1,000Disabled Facilities Grant (up to £30,000) to make changes to a homeHomeowners can apply for up to £10,000 to pay for a boilerHomeowners can get help to pay for double glazing as part of the Green Homes SchemeUp to £300 in Winter Fuel PaymentsFree wigs or fabric support provided by the NHSFree health travel costsHelp with housing costsHelp with funeral costsBereavement support paymentsReduced court fees.