20 Universal Credit freebies and discounts you can claim in August worth more than £17,000

The Sun

5 days ago

MILLIONS of households on Universal Credit are missing out on thousands of pounds' worth of extra support – from free food to savings bonuses and council tax discounts.
With food inflation still stubbornly high, energy prices creeping up again, and back-to-school costs around the corner, August is a crucial month to check what help is available.
1
If you're on Universal Credit or a similarly low income, you could be missing out on vital financial support, and many of these schemes don't need to be paid back.
Here's a detailed breakdown of the help on offer this August, who's eligible, how much you might get, and how to claim.
If you're eligible for all 20, you may be able to save more than £17,000 over 12 months.
1. Household Support Fund – Savings: up to £500
The Household Support Fund runs until March 2026 and gives emergency cash or voucher support to households struggling with essentials like food, energy, and white goods.
Payouts and eligibility vary by local authority. For example:
Brent Council offers up to £500 for struggling families. Apply at www.brent.gov.uk
Doncaster pays between £100 and £300 to families on UC. See www.doncaster.gov.uk
Ribble Valley gives food vouchers worth £200–£500 to households earning under £35,000. Visit www.ribblevalley.gov.uk
How to apply: Go to your council's website and search for 'Household Support Fund' – the easiest way is to Google your council name plus the phrase.
If your child gets free school meals, you can usually access the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, run in partnership with councils and funded by the government.
Activities include football camps, arts, drama and free meals.
In many areas, bookings are open now for August sessions:
Leeds offers HAF places including hot meals and sports activities: www.leeds.gov.uk
Hampshire includes cookery clubs, forest schools and free meals: www.hants.gov.uk
In Scotland, parents receive direct holiday payments instead of food provision. For example:
Glasgow pays £135 for summer holidays per eligible child: www.glasgow.gov.uk
Wales and Northern Ireland also run holiday support schemes via schools and councils – check with your local authority.
Five key changes to PIP & Universal Credit as Labour's benefits crackdown unveiled
3. Warm Home Discount – Savings: £150 credit
Eligible low-income households can get £150 off electricity bills automatically between October and March.
You usually don't need to apply – energy suppliers apply the discount directly if you qualify.
If you're on UC and meet your supplier's rules (especially if your home is classed as "energy inefficient"), the discount will appear as a credit on your bill.
Check eligibility at www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme.
4. Discounted broadband and mobile – Savings: save up to £196.68
Social tariffs offer cheap broadband to people on benefits. Some of the cheapest include:
Virgin Media Essentials: £12.50/month – save £137.88/year vs regular Virgin package.
BT Home Essentials: £15/month for fibre + calls.
Voxi for Now: £10/month for unlimited mobile data for six months – saving £150 vs regular deal.
According to Uswitch, the average broadband bill in the UK is £26.39/month – switching to the cheapest social tariff could save you £196.68 per year.
Compare all social tariffs at www. ofcom.org.uk
5. Free school meals – Savings: save up to £503.50 per child per year
If your child is at school and you claim Universal Credit, they may qualify for free school meals during term time.
To be eligible in England, your household income (excluding benefits) must be under £7,400 a year.
This limit also applies in Wales and Northern Ireland.
In Scotland, all children in primary years 1 to 5 get free school meals regardless of income, and older pupils may also qualify based on UC claims.
The Food Foundation says the average cost of a school lunch is £2.65.
Over 190 school days, that amounts to a potential saving of around £503.50 per child per year.
Check eligibility and apply at www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals.
6. Council tax reduction – Savings: save up to £2,280
If you receive Universal Credit, you can apply for a council tax reduction of up to 100%.
Every local authority sets its own rules, but many reduce council tax significantly for low-income households.
If you live alone, you can also get a single person discount of 25%.
For example:
In Manchester, households on UC can get up to 100% off their council tax. Apply at www.manchester.gov.uk
Bristol offers up to 90% for most working-age households on benefits. More info at www.bristol.gov.uk
The average Band D council tax in England for 2025-26 is now £2,280, so a full reduction is worth that amount annually.
7. Help with water bills – Savings: save hundreds off your annual bill
Water companies offer social tariffs or capped rates for those on UC and similar benefits. These schemes vary by supplier.
For example:
Affinity Water caps bills at £119.50/year for eligible households. See www.affinitywater.co.uk
United Utilities offers up to 50% off for households with high usage or medical needs. More at www.unitedutilities.com
According to Discover Water, the average water bill in England and Wales has risen to £603 in 2025.
Switching to a capped or social tariff could save you hundreds of pounds depending on your supplier and usage.
8. Energy grants – Savings: up to £1,500
Several energy suppliers offer grants to help customers on low incomes clear energy debts or cover bills.
For example:
British Gas Energy Trust offers grants up to £1,500 even if you're not a British Gas customer. Apply at www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk
E.ON Next Energy Fund provides help with white goods and bill support. Visit www.eonenergy.com
You'll usually need to show proof of income, provide meter readings, and explain your situation.
These grants don't need to be repaid.
9. Free prescriptions and dental care – Savings: variable savings
Universal Credit claimants may be entitled to free NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and help with health costs.
You'll qualify if:
You're single and earn under £435/month
Or your household earns under £935/month and gets the child element of UC or has limited capability for work
These savings can quickly add up:
NHS prescriptions in England cost £9.90 each
A standard NHS dental check-up is £25.80
10. Help to Save – Earn up to £300 a year
This government-backed savings account is designed to encourage low-income households to build a financial cushion.
If you're on Universal Credit and meet the eligibility requirements, you can open a Help to Save account and get a 50% bonus on savings.
You can save between £1 and £50 each month, and at the end of two years, you'll receive a bonus worth half of the highest balance you've saved.
You can continue saving for up to four years, earning a maximum total bonus of £1,200 if you save the full amount every month.
Payments can be stopped and restarted without penalty
You can withdraw money if needed, but it may reduce your bonus
Apply at www.gov.uk/help-to-save.
11. School uniform grants – Savings: up to £200
Buying new uniforms can be a major back-to-school expense.
Fortunately, some local authorities offer school uniform grants to help cover the cost.
These grants are often available if your child is eligible for free school meals and you're on Universal Credit.
Examples include:
City of London: £160 for secondary school pupils. Apply at www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
Sefton Council: £45 for primary and £70 for secondary. See www.sefton.gov.uk
Wales: The Pupil Development Grant offers £200 to eligible families. More info at www.gov.wales
Grants are often paid as vouchers, bank transfers, or reimbursements.
Deadlines and application processes vary, so check with your local authority.
12. Free or discounted travel – Savings: up to 50% off
Help with travel costs is available in several forms if you're on Universal Credit and looking for work or studying:
Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card: Offers up to 50% off rail fares. Available to jobseekers who have been claiming UC or JSA for at least 13 weeks (or longer depending on age). More info at www.nationalrail.co.uk
16–17 Saver Card: Reduces fares by 50% for young people. Apply at www.16-17saver.co.uk
Student Oyster Photocard: Offers 30% off travelcards and bus passes in London. See tfl.gov.uk
Note: Eligibility criteria and application processes vary by scheme.
Some discounts depend on your age or how long you've been claiming UC.
Some councils also offer additional support, for example, Derbyshire County Council provides bus travel support through its Wheels to Work scheme.
13. Flexible Support Fund – Savings: no official cap
Administered by your Jobcentre, this discretionary fund can help cover work-related expenses to support you into employment.
Unlike Universal Credit, this isn't a fixed payment and is granted based on individual need.
You might be able to get:
Up to £150 for tools, uniforms, or work clothing
Travel costs to interviews or training
Short-term childcare support
For example, one claimant in Leeds received £120 to cover train tickets for job interviews.
To apply, speak directly to your work coach, who can authorise support.
14. Maternity grants – Savings: £500 per child
The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off tax-free payment to help with the cost of a new baby.
You don't have to repay it, and it won't affect other benefits.
You'll get £500 if:
It's your first child
You're expecting twins or more, and already have children
Applications open from 11 weeks before the due date until 6 months after birth.
You must be on Universal Credit and not already receiving other maternity payments.
Download the SF100 form at www.gov.uk and send it by post.
15. Healthy Start vouchers – Savings: up to £442/year
Eligible parents can receive prepaid cards that are topped up every four weeks, helping you buy healthy foods and milk.
It's designed for pregnant women and parents of children under four.
£4.25/week if pregnant (from week 10)
£8.50/week for children under 1
£4.25/week for kids aged 1–4
In a child's first year, this adds up to £442, and about £221 per year after that.
You're eligible if you're on Universal Credit with earnings below £408/month. Apply online at www.healthystart.nhs.uk.
16. Funeral expenses payment – Savings: up to £1,000
If you're arranging a funeral and receive UC, you might qualify for this payment to cover necessary costs.
This payment is usually made to the funeral director.
You can get up to £1,000 for:
Flowers
Funeral director's fees
Travel costs
Burial or cremation fees may also be covered separately.
Payments depend on your relationship with the deceased and other contributions (e.g. from insurance).
Find out more at www.gov.uk/funeral-payments.
17. Legal aid – Savings: varies by case
Legal aid can cover the cost of advice or representation for those facing serious legal issues.
If you're on Universal Credit, you may qualify if your case meets the criteria.
Support is available for:
Domestic violence and child protection
Housing or eviction cases
Discrimination
Immigration or asylum matters
You may have to contribute towards costs depending on your income or assets. Check eligibility at www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid.
18. Childcare support – Savings: up to £1,769/month
If you're working at least 16 hours/week and on UC, you can claim back 85% of childcare costs:
£1,031.88 for one child
£1,768.94 for two or more children
The money is paid after you've submitted evidence of payment each month.
There are often delays, so it's important to budget carefully or ask providers if they'll accept delayed payment.
Apply through your UC account at www.gov.uk/universal-credit/childcare-costs.
19. Free childcare hours (England only) – Savings: up to £7,500
From September 2024, parents of 2-year-olds in working families can access 15 free hours of childcare per week.
From September 2025, this extends to 30 hours for children from nine months old.
To be eligible:
Both parents must be working (or one, in single-parent households)
You must earn at least £183/week and under £100,000/year
The Government says this will save families an average of £7,500 a year. More details at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.
20. Discounted glasses and eye tests – Savings: up to £233.56
NHS optical support includes:
Free eye tests every two years
Vouchers for glasses or lenses worth between £42.40 and £233.56 depending on your prescription
Some opticians apply the discount automatically if you show your UC award letter.
Check the NHS guide at www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/.