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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Full list of benefits not affected by two-child rule – as government mulls axing cap
PARENTS may still be eligible to claim thousands of pounds in support despite the two-child benefit cap, as pressure mounts on ministers to abolish the policy. Here is everything you need to know. Advertisement 1 Pressure is growing on the government over the two-child benefit cap Credit: Getty WHAT IS THE TWO CHILD CAP? The rule, which limits child-related payments in Universal Credit and to just two children per household, doesn't apply to all benefits. It means families with three or more kids may still be missing out on cash they're eligible for. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer yesterday refused to rule out scrapping the rule, which currently limits benefit payments to two children per household for Universal Credit and tax credits. It means that families can miss out on up to £3,455 a year for a third or later child born after April 2017. Advertisement The policy, introduced in a bid to keep welfare spending in check, has faced criticism from some MPs and campaigners. But scrapping the cap could cost the Treasury around £3billion annually, and would likely require new tax rises or spending cuts elsewhere to fund. Visiting a factory in Warrington, the PM said he was 'determined to drive down child poverty' but stopped short of making a firm commitment. Asked repeatedly whether the rule would go, Sir Keir said ministers were "looking at all options". Advertisement While the cap still applies to some benefits, others remain unaffected – and families may still be eligible for support depending on their circumstances. Here's the full breakdown. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence CHILD BENEFIT This universal benefit is paid for every child, regardless of how many you have. £25.60 a week for the first child £16.95 a week for each additional child If you are claiming child benefit for a child under 12, you also receive National Insurance (NI) credits. Advertisement Child Benefit also comes with National Insurance credits, which count towards your State Pension. Note: If you or your partner earn over £60,000, you may be liable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge, which can reduce or eliminate the payment. How do I claim child benefits? APPLYING is straightforward and can be done in minutes at or through the HMRC app. Parents with a newborn baby should make a claim online as soon as possible and could then receive their first payment in as little as three days. You can also backdate claims for up to three months. Parents can make a claim and then choose to opt out of receiving Child Benefit payments can still receive National Insurance credits if one parent is not working. National Insurance credits build up your entitlement to the state pension. DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE (DLA) DLA is available for children under 16 who have disabilities and require extra care or mobility support. It's not affected by the two-child cap, and is worth £28.70 to £184.30 a week, depending on the level of need. Advertisement Once a child turns 16, they must apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) instead. PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT (PIP) PIP is for people aged 16 to 64 with a long-term health condition or disability. It is not subject to the cap, and multiple eligible individuals can claim within the same household. The benefit is worth up to £184.30 a week for those entitled to both the daily living and mobility components. Advertisement GUARDIAN'S ALLOWANCE This benefit is for individuals raising a child whose parents have died. Paid at £21.75 a week per child Paid in addition to Child Benefit Unaffected by the two-child limit You must be claiming Child Benefit and meet the qualifying criteria around guardianship. ADOPTION ALLOWANCE Paid by local authorities, this benefit supports adoptive families who may face extra costs related to a child's care needs. There's no cap on how many adopted children can qualify, and payments vary depending on your financial circumstances and the child's needs. Advertisement LOCAL WELFARE SCHEMES These include support such as: Discretionary Housing Payments The Household Support Fund Free school meals These schemes are not restricted by the two-child cap, but eligibility and availability vary by council. UNIVERSAL CREDIT EXEMPTIONS While the child element of UC is capped, exceptions do exist, including: You have adopted them or other children in your household You receive guardian's allowance for them or other children in your household They are the second (or more) child born in a multiple-birth They or other children in your household are the offspring of one of your children who is under 16 years old They or other children in your household are not your child or stepchild, and you look after them under a court order They or other children in your household are not your child or stepchild and you look after them under an arrangement with Social Services (except for formal foster care) They were conceived as a result of rape, and you do not live with the perpetrator As the government continues to review the policy, no final decision has been made — but for now, these benefits remain available outside the cap. Advertisement To check if you're eligible, visit or speak to an independent benefits advisor. Who's exempt from the two-child benefit cap? The two-child benefit cap means that you can only get more child tax credit or Universal Credit for your third (or more) child if: They were born before April 6, 2017 They are disabled (disabled child element only) You qualify for an exception in child tax credit or special circumstances apply in Universal Credit You qualify for an exception or special circumstances for each third (or subsequent) child if: You have adopted them or other children in your household You receive guardian's allowance for them or other children in your household They are the second (or more) child born in a multiple-birth They or other children in your household are the offspring of one of your children who is under 16 years old They or other children in your household are not your child or stepchild, and you look after them under a court order They or other children in your household are not your child or stepchild and you look after them under an arrangement with Social Services (except for formal foster care) They were conceived as a result of rape, and you do not live with the perpetrator Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
People over state pension age may be due benefits worth thousands
There are a range of discounts, benefits, and grants available to those over the state pension age - and you could be eligible without even knowing it There are 13 million people over the state pension age of 66 in the UK. But only 1.7 million receive the full new state pension of £230.25 per week. As a result, potentially millions may be unaware of the additional support, benefits and discounts they are owed. The official MoneyHelper website has compiled a list of bonuses that could supplement your retirement income, without affecting state pension payments, as reported by the Daily Record. One of the first points to check is your state pension. Recent errors have resulted in people being underpaid by thousands in their state pensions, so checking your National Insurance record could provide a hefty increase in your retirement income. You need a full 35 years of National Insurance contributions to receive the £230.25 per week and at least 10 to qualify for any of the new state pension. If you are not receiving the full state pension amount, you might be eligible for Pension Credit. This income supplement can add £4,300 each year and also grants access to a variety of other benefits and discounts, such as a free TV licence for those over 75. provides a Pension Credit calculator which can help determine if you're eligible for this support. Currently, Pension Credit is one of the most underclaimed benefits, with eligible individuals missing out on approximately £1.5 billion each year. A variety of health benefits are available to help cover the extra costs associated with illnesses and disabilities, some of which are exclusively for individuals over the state pension age. If you claimed PIP or DLA before reaching the state pension age, you might still be eligible to continue getting your award until it expires. On the other hand, Attendance Allowance is made specifically for disabled or ill people over the state pension age. It can range from £73.90 to £110.40 per week, depending on the level of assistance or supervision required. Beyond the benefits system, there are numerous discounts available for those over the state pension age. This includes assistance with council tax, regardless of whether you rent or own your property. If you receive a disability or carer's benefit or the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit, you could be entitled to a larger council tax reduction. The latter might even cover your entire council tax bill. Another discount available to those over the state pension age is a free passport. To qualify, you must have been born on or before 2 September 1929 and be a British national. Lastly, a variety of travel concessions and schemes are available to those aged 60 and above. These include the 60+ London Oyster photocard, the Freedom Pass, Senior Railcards and free bus passes.
Reuters
25-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
US agencies face fees over faulty cases, Ford seeks $300 million from lemon law lawyers
May 22 (Reuters) - (Billable Hours is Reuters' weekly report on lawyers and money. Please send tips or suggestions to opens new tab) Two U.S. agencies are on the hook to pay millions of dollars in legal fees after federal judges criticized their conduct in separate cases. A judge in Pennsylvania ruled this week, opens new tab that the Federal Trade Commission's 2020 lawsuit accusing a small company of duping consumers into buying print subscriptions was not "substantially justified." The ruling, which called the FTC case "a quintessential one of overreaching," said the defendant American Future Systems was entitled to recover its defense fees. U.S. District Judge Joel Slomsky said the FTC failed to back up its claims that American Future Systems had misled customers. The company had prevailed against the FTC in 2023 following a 15-day, non-jury trial in Philadelphia. Lawyers from DLA Piper, White and Williams and Faegre Drinker who represented defendants in the lawsuit will now submit a request for compensation. DLA's Ilana Eisenstein, who leads the firm's litigation team, told Reuters that it was rare for a judge to find an agency case unjustified, and that her client welcomed the decision after years of litigation. The FTC did not respond to a request for comment. In the other agency case, three law firms have asked a U.S. judge to award nearly $3 million in legal fees after they defeated a lawsuit filed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. A judge last week threw out the CFTC's case against Traders Global Group, also known as My Forex Funds, after the finding the agency acted in bad faith. The defendant's lawyers at law firms Quinn Emanuel, King & Spalding and McCarter & English in a filing said, opens new tab the requested fee was "an appropriate deterrent — neither too large nor too small — considering the egregiousness of the CFTC's misconduct." The CFTC said on Tuesday it did not oppose the requested amount. Acting CFTC Chairman Caroline Pham said in a prior statement that the agency's conduct was "inexcusable." --Law firm Kasowitz Benson Torres is representing Ford Motor in a lawsuit in federal court in California accusing several law firms and lawyers of fraudulently inflating their legal fees in cases brought under the state's Lemon Law designed to protect vehicle owners. Ford called the alleged improper billings a "magical mystery tour" of bogus work and time entries, claiming one of the lawyers billed an impossible 57-1/2 hours in one day. The attorneys that allegedly anchored the scheme regularly brought in other law firms to overstaff cases, Ford alleged in its complaint, opens new tab on Wednesday. The automaker said it is seeking $300 million in damages against the firms. Requests for comment on behalf of the defendants were not immediately returned on Wednesday. --Seattle-based Hagens Berman said it will not oppose a request from Apple and Amazon for a combined $223,000 in sanctions against the class action law firm, according to a new court filing, opens new tab. The tech giants accused the firm of unnecessarily dragging out litigation over the price of iPhones and iPads after the initial plaintiff in the case sought to drop out. In its filing, opens new tab, Hagens Berman said "we respect the Court's judgment and concerns and, with hindsight, recognize the situation could have been handled better." The firm said it would "redouble their efforts to ensure that this case is conducted with the highest degree of professionalism by all involved." A spokesperson for the firm had no immediate comment. Apple and Amazon have denied the consumer claims in the litigation. Neither company immediately responded to a request for comment on the fee order. --A jury in Fulton County, Georgia, has awarded, opens new tab more than $11.4 million to former law partners of attorney L. Lin Wood, a retired Georgia lawyer who prominently challenged Democrat Joe Biden's victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. The plaintiffs in 2020 sued Wood's firm, claiming it breached a settlement agreement that involved payments to them from several prior cases. Drew Beal and Milinda Brown, the attorneys for the plaintiffs, said the jury awarded their clients everything they sought. "After five years of litigation, multiple appeals and even an attempt to involve the U.S. Supreme Court, the jury clearly understood what our clients had endured," the plaintiffs' lawyers said. Wood in a statement said he was disappointed by the verdict and said he will appeal. "The verdict was not supported by the facts or the law," Wood said. "The trial was permeated with reversible errors.' Read more: Settlements mount against law firm caught up in bankruptcy judge's secret romance Amazon, Apple seek legal fees as sanction in US consumer lawsuit Epic Games' Cravath team wins fees in Apple contempt ruling US lobbying firms see early revenue boost in Trump's second term
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How to claim PIP disability benefits as government announces welfare reforms
As the government plans to introduce a series of welfare reforms affecting disability benefit PIP, more questions are being asked about how much people can claim through PIP — and who can get it. PIP, also known as a personal independence payment, is a lifeline for many people dealing with the extra costs of living with a disability. Although applying for PIP can be a complicated and unclear process, with the right information, PIP applicants can navigate the process with confidence. Here you can find out more about PIP, whether you could be eligible for payments, how to apply, and what to do if your claim is rejected. PIP is a welfare benefit that helps adults with the extra costs of living with a health condition or a disability. It replaced the disability living allowance (DLA) in 2013, and is available for those aged between 16 and state pension age. The payments can help with the extra costs of living with a disability or a long-term health condition, like higher heating bills, special diets, equipment or taxi fares. For more information, visit the website. You can get PIP if: You're 16 or over You have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability You have difficulty doing everyday tasks or getting around You expect the difficulties to last for at least 12 months from when they started You must also be under state pension age if you've not received PIP before. If you live in Scotland, you need to apply for adult disability payment (ADP) instead. PIP payments are broken down into weekly rates, with a lower and a higher weekly rate. An assessor at the DWP will look into your application and determine your award. As of April 2025, the standard weekly payment for daily living support is £73.90 a week, and the enhanced rate is £110.40. The standard weekly payment for mobility support is £29.20 a week, and the enhanced rate is £77.05. Type of PIP Standard rate Enhanced rate £73.90 £110.40 £29.20 £77.05 PIP is tax free. Unlike some other benefits, the amount you get is not affected by your income or savings. To apply for PIP, you can: Start your claim by phone Start your claim by post In some areas, start your claim online Need some more guidance on filling out your application? Turn2Us's PIP helper tool can help you track your application process and set up reminders to help you navigate the process. It's also been made by people who have applied for PIP themselves. Further information from the government on how to claim PIP can be found here. If you live in Northern Ireland, follow the claim process outlined here. If you live in Scotland, you need to apply for the adult disability payment (ADP) instead. (If you have a terminal illness, you claim PIP in a different way. More information on that can be found here.) In some cases, you might be invited to an assessment as part of your application. This is to learn more about: How your condition affects your daily living and mobility tasks Any treatments you've had or will have You may also be asked to do some simple movements to show how you carry out activities. The assessment can be over the phone, on a video call, or in person. Can I get reimbursed? Expand The cost of the journey to and from your home to the assessment centre, parking and fuel can be reimbursed. If you take someone with you to the assessment, their travel costs can be reimbursed but only if they travel with you. If you're worried about being assessed over the phone, you can have someone aged 16 or over on the call with you. They can take part in discussions and take notes. For more information on how to prepare for the assessment process, visit Citizens Advice here. You will receive a letter letting you know the outcome of your PIP application. This will let you know if your application has been accepted or rejected, how much you're entitled to, and when your claim ends. If you are successful, the letter will also tell you what day your first payment will arrive, and what day of the week you'll be paid. This may change on bank holidays, such as over the festive period. You should expect this around 28 days after your assessment, although due to delays, it could arrive later. You will be paid PIP every four weeks. Make sure you: Check when your claim ends: Check your award is backdated: Keep your letter safe Notify your other benefits that you're now getting PIP
Daily Record
17-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
People reaching State Pension age can no longer claim these benefits
Some people may not be aware of benefits or payments which can no longer be claimed after reaching retirement age. The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show the State Pension is now providing essential financial support for 13 million people across Great Britain, including more than one million living in Scotland. This regular payment is now worth up to £230.25 per week for those on the New State Pension (claimed after April 6, 2016), or £176.45 each week for the Basic State Pension (Category A or B). How much someone receives from the contributory benefit depends on the number of National Insurance years they have accrued before reaching the current retirement age of 66 - you need at least 10 to qualify for any State Pension payment. For older people approaching the official age of retirement at some point this year, it's important to know which benefits will continue, new ones you may now qualify for and those you can no longer make a new claim for. Your State Pension age is the same as your Pension Credit qualifying age unless you are a man born before December 6, 1953. You can check your State Pension age and whether you can start claiming Pension Credit on the 'Check your State Pension age' page of the website here. Benefits affected by your pension age Turn2us has created an essential guide to the benefits you cannot claim from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) when you reach State Pension age or Pension Credit age. For full details on each of the topics listed below, visit the Turn2us website here. Pension Credit age When you reach State Pension age you can no longer claim: Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Income Support Universal Credit Turn2us advises: "If you live with a partner and one of you is pension age and the other is not yet pension age, benefit entitlement can be complicated." State Pension age When you reach State Pension age you can no longer claim: Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Contributory/New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) You cannot make a new claim for Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) - the devolved disability benefit has now replaced all new claims for PIP for people in Scotland - once you have reached State Pension age. However, if you were already receiving DLA, PIP, or ADP you can renew the claim even though you are over State Pension age. This can only be done as long as you are claiming for the same health conditions you received the award for and your last claim ended less than 12 months before you reached State Pension age. People living in Scotland currently receiving DLA or PIP will be transferred to the new devolved Social Security Scotland system before the end of this year. Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent's Allowance are also not available once you reach State Pension age. Benefits not affected by your State Pension age You can claim these benefits even if you are over State Pension age: Child Benefit (delivered by HMRC) Carer's Allowance - you may not be eligible for the full financial element depending on your income from State Pension Guardian's Allowance Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) You can also claim these benefits even if you are over State Pension age, but only if you meet the benefit-specific income threshold: Pension Credit Housing Benefit Council Tax Support Support for Mortgage Interest Help with Health Costs Winter Heating Payment - Scotland-only Cold Weather Payment - England and Wales only Warm Home Discount Scheme Winter Fuel Payment - only those over State Pension age in receipt of Pension Credit or other qualifying income-related benefits will receive the money from this year Pension Age Winter Heating Payment - Scotland only, same qualifying rules as Winter Fuel Payment For more details about benefits when you reach State Pension age, visit the Turn2Us website here.
