HOUSEHOLDS on Universal Credit can make the most of six freebies and save up to £620 this month.
The benefit opens up a host of additional perks – ranging from discounted broadband and mobile tariffs to cut-price days out.
AlamyHouseholds on Universal Credit can get freebies worth £624[/caption]Here are six of the things anyone on Universal Credit can claim this month worth up to £624.
Social tariffs – £25
Social tariffs are broadband or mobile packages open to those on certain benefits including Universal Credit.
Ofcom has a list of firms offering the tariffs on its website via www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/saving-money/social-tariffs.
The regulator says they can save you up to £200 a year, although you might be able to save more.
The Sun spoke to one mum-of-two who saved £300 on her yearly internet bill by signing up for one of the deals – £25 a month.
Days out – £20
A number of popular family attractions offer discounted tickets to those on Universal Credit.
London Zoo offers tickets from £3 with standard ticket prices starting from £19.40 so there are some decent savings to be had.
Aviva Studios in Manchester offers £10 Universal Credit tickets too, with standard prices sometimes worth up to £30.
Savings boost – £25
If you’re on Universal Credit and earned at least £1 in your last assessment period, you can open a Help to Save account.
These accounts offer you a free 50% bonus on any savings made over a four year period.
You can add a maximum of £50 into one of the accounts every month meaning you could effectively earn £25 free cash this month.
Bonuses on Help to Save accounts are only paid out after two and four years though, so you’ll have to wait for your cash.
It comes after the government recently announced it was majorly opening up the eligibility criteria for Help to Save.
You used to have to earn £846.56 or more in your last assessment period to qualify but now this threshold has been reduced to £1.
Pregnancy grants – £500
You might be able to get £500 or more in free cash if you’re a new or expectant mother – through the Sure Start Maternity Grant.
The grants are issued to those on benefits including Universal Credit to cover the cost of having a new-born or adopted baby.
You won’t qualify if you have any other children under 16 though, unless you’re expecting twins or triplets.
Healthy start – £34
New or expectant parents can get up to £442 worth of free food a year through the Healthy Start scheme.
Anyone more than 10 weeks pregnant or with a child under four years old and on benefits including Universal Credit can apply.
If eligible, you are issued with a card which you can use in a number of supermarkets and retailers.
But you can only use the card to buy certain products such as cow’s milk, fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables and tinned pulses.
Those eligible can claim £4.25 each week from the 10th week of pregnancy, £8.50 each week from birth to one year old and £4.25 a week for children between one and four years old.
Discounted gym memberships – £20
Those on Universal Credit can, in some cases, claim discounted gym memberships.
The cheaper tariffs are often available to those receiving a range of benefits including Universal Credit and Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Providers offering the tariffs include Better Leisure and Everyone Active, who offer many sports and leisure centres across the country.
There may be some restrictions attached to the tariffs, such as off-peak only access and prices can vary across different locations.
But, at Better Leisure prices can be as low as £5 a month compared to around £25 for its cheapest standard membership.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
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