Latest news with #MiddlesbroughCouncil
Scottish Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Simple tool reveals exact date thousands of Universal Credit will see big payments boost in weeks
Scroll down to find out how much the different elements of Universal Credit have risen by BENEFITS BOOST Simple tool reveals exact date thousands of Universal Credit will see big payments boost in weeks A SIMPLE tool reveals the exact date thousands on Universal Credit will receive a pay rise. Benefit payments rose by 1.7% on April 7 in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) level of inflation for September 2024. This is common governmental practice and ensures people's benefit amounts keep up with the cost of living. However, while the new rates are already in effect, some on Universal Credit will have to wait longer until they receive new bumper amounts. This is because the benefit is assessed based on your circumstances each month, known as an "assessment period", but paid in arrears. This means payments you receive each month are based on your circumstances in your previous assessment period. The new Universal Credit rates came into effect after the first full one-month assessment period, which started on or after April 7. For those whose assessment periods started after April 7, their payments rose as early as May 13. However, anyone whose assessment period started before this date could be waiting until June 12 to get the new higher rate. Check out our searchable table above which reveals when you will get the higher rate based on your assessment period. NEW UNIVERSAL CREDIT RATES Here is a full list of the new benefit rates for 2025-26 to give you a steer as to what you should expect to be paid. Universal Credit standard allowance (monthly) Single, under 25: £316.98 (up from £311.68) Single, 25 or over: £400.14 (up from £393.45) Joint claimants both under 25: £497.55 (up from £489.23) Joint claimants, one or both 25+: £628.10 (up from £617.60) Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence Extra amounts for children First child (born before April 6, 2017): £339 (up from £333.33) Child born after April 6, 2017 or subsequent children: £292.81 (up from £287.92) Disabled child (lower rate): £158.76 (up from £156.11) Disabled child (higher rate): £495.87 (up from £487.58) Extra for limited capability for work Limited capability: £158.76 (up from £156.11) Work-related activity: £423.27 (up from £416.19) Carer's element Caring for a severely disabled person at least 35 hours a week: £201.68 (up from £198.31) Work allowance increases Higher work allowance (no housing): £684 (up from £673) Lower work allowance (with housing): £411 (up from £404) OTHER UNIVERSAL CREDIT NEWS Councils across England have started dishing out help after receiving funding through the Household Support Fund (HSF). And some are distributing support to those on benefits including Universal Credit. Middlesbrough Council has started issuing payments worth up to £120 to those in need. Meanwhile, households in Reading are in line to receive £125 vouchers in the coming weeks if they receive free school meals, which are paid to families on benefits including Universal Credit. Each council in England decides who is eligible for a portion of funding individually. However, in most cases you'll qualify for help if you're struggling to cover essential bills like energy and food. Some local authorities are giving out help to those on benefits like Universal Credit, while others are assessing people's eligibility purely based on income and not factoring in benefits. Contact your council to find out what help is on offer. You can find what council area you fall under by visiting 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. 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@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Universal Credit households can get cost of living boost worth over £60 in weeks
Middlesbrough Council has started dishing out help to residents to help with energy bills, food and other essential costs and will be "releasing" it in phases over the coming few months Households claiming Universal Credit can get free vouchers worth over £60 to help with the cost of living in the next few weeks. The help comes from the Government's Household Support Fund scheme. Running since 2021 and managed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the scheme has given local councils pots of cash to support struggling households in their area. Each authority decides how it wants to spend the money, and help can range from free cash payments to supermarket vouchers. Middlesbrough Council has started dishing out help to residents to help with energy bills, food and other essential costs and will be "releasing" it in phases over the coming few months. From May, households that do not claim any DWP benefits - including Housing Benefit - can apply for a £100 voucher. The entire payment - or just part of it - can be paid directly into your Council Tax account, which can help "free up" money to spend on other things such as energy and food. From July, households with children who meet the free school meals eligibility criteria will also get vouchers worth £60 per child. If you have two children, this means you could receive £120. The council will send vouchers automatically, based on schools' records. Households can also apply for one of these vouchers through the council's website if they don't get free school meals, but are claiming one of the following benefits: Council Tax Reduction Income-based Employment and Support Allowance Housing Benefit Income Support Pension Credit Universal Credit From November, households on benefits without children can apply for a £45 voucher if they are single, or a £55 voucher if they are in a couple. Older households in Middlesbrough not eligible for Winter Fuel Payments also qualify for free £100 payment this winter. Letters will be sent to households who may be eligible in November with applications opening in the same month. More details and updates on Middlesbrough Council's cost of living scheme will be shared over the coming few months. You cannot claim this support if you do not live in Middlesbrough. However, you are able to claim help from your local council through their own Household Support Fund scheme. Due to this system, it means it can be a postcode lottery for the support you can get. Local councils have started to share what help they will offer for this year's Household Support Fund which is running until March 2026. Each council's website details its support offerings alongside its eligibility criteria. Usually, it has a separate cost of living tab that details the help on offer. Each council will also have a different application process for the scheme. Some ask you to apply online, while others ask you to apply over the phone. Some councils are also reaching out to those eligible directly
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Families on Universal Credit can apply for free vouchers worth £120 within weeks
Scroll down to find out what to do if you're not eligible for the vouchers CASH BOOST Families on Universal Credit can apply for free vouchers worth £120 within weeks Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOUSEHOLDS on Universal Credit can apply for free vouchers worth up to £120 within weeks. The help comes via the Household Support Fund, a giant £742million fund which has been made available to councils in England. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Households in Middlesbrough can apply for vouchers worth up to £120 per family Credit: Alamy Local authorities have until March 31, 2026, to allocate their share of the fund and can set their own eligibility criteria. Some councils have already starting distributing their share through cash bank transfers and vouchers while some are yet to. Middlesbrough Council has started dishing out help to residents to cover energy bills, food and other essential costs. The support is being released in a staggered approach based on residents' personal circumstances. Households on benefits without children are eligible for up to £55 vouchers and can apply from November. Meanwhile, struggling households not on benefits can apply for £100 vouchers this month. Plus, households with children and getting any number of benefits, including Universal Credit, are eligible for £60 vouchers per child, meaning a family with two children could get £120. Residents can apply from July if their child is not on benefits-related free school meals but they're receiving one of the following: Council Tax Reduction Income-based Employment and Support Allowance Housing Benefit Income Support Pension Credit Universal Credit We have asked Middlesbrough Council how residents can cash the £60 vouchers and how many are eligible to apply and will update this story when we have heard back. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence Further details on how households can apply from July are yet to be revealed. It's worth keeping an eye on the council's website for more details though - Households with children who meet the free school meals eligibility criteria will also get vouchers worth £60 per child. The vouchers will be issued automatically for this group, in July, rather than them having to apply. Older households in Middlesbrough not eligible for Winter Fuel Payments also qualify for free £100 payments. Letters will be sent to households who may be eligible in November with applications opening in the same month. Can I get help if I live outside Middlesbrough? Put simply, yes. However, it will depend on your circumstances and where you live. The Household Support Fund was set up to help households cover essentials such as energy or water bills and food costs. But, each council can set its own eligibility criteria meaning whether you qualify for help is a postcode lottery. That said, funding is aimed at anyone who's vulnerable or struggling to pay for essentials. So, if you are financially hard-up or on benefits, it is likely you will be able to get help. It's worth bearing in mind, any help you receive via the Household Support Fund won't affect your benefit payments. The type of help on offer varies from supermarket vouchers to direct cash payments into your bank account. Some councils are allocating their share of the fund to community groups and charities who you have to get in touch with. If you're on benefits, have limited savings, or are struggling to cover food and energy bills, it's worth seeing if you're eligible for help. Contact your local council and see if you have to apply or whether support is being distributed automatically. You can find what council area you fall under by using the government's council locator tool - Household Support Fund explained Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund. If you're battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline. The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living. Every council in England has been given a share of £742million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households. Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments. In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families. Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying. Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income. The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer. The current round runs until the end of March 2026. 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
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Families on Universal Credit can apply for free vouchers worth £120 within weeks
HOUSEHOLDS on Universal Credit can apply for free vouchers worth up to £120 within weeks. The help comes via the Household Support Fund, a giant £742million fund which has been made available to councils in England. 1 Local authorities have until March 31, 2026, to allocate their share of the fund and can set their own eligibility criteria. Some councils have already starting distributing their share through cash bank transfers and vouchers while some are yet to. Middlesbrough Council has started dishing out help to residents to cover energy bills, food and other essential costs. The support is being released in a staggered approach based on residents' personal circumstances. Households on benefits without children are eligible for up to £55 vouchers and can apply from November. Meanwhile, struggling households not on benefits can apply for £100 vouchers this month. Plus, households with children and getting any number of benefits, including Universal Credit, are eligible for £60 vouchers per child, meaning a family with two children could get £120. Council Tax Reduction Income-based Employment and Support Allowance Housing Benefit Income Support Pension Credit Universal Credit We have asked Middlesbrough Council how residents can cash the £60 vouchers and how many are eligible to apply and will update this story when we have heard back. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence Further details on how households can apply from July are yet to be revealed. It's worth keeping an eye on the council's website for more details though - Households with children who meet the free school meals eligibility criteria will also get vouchers worth £60 per child. The vouchers will be issued automatically for this group, in July, rather than them having to apply. Older households in Middlesbrough not eligible for Winter Fuel Payments also qualify for free £100 payments. Letters will be sent to households who may be eligible in November with applications opening in the same month. Can I get help if I live outside Middlesbrough? Put simply, yes. However, it will depend on your circumstances and where you live. The Household Support Fund was set up to help households cover essentials such as energy or water bills and food costs. But, each council can set its own eligibility criteria meaning whether you qualify for help is a postcode lottery. That said, funding is aimed at anyone who's vulnerable or struggling to pay for essentials. So, if you are financially hard-up or on benefits, it is likely you will be able to get help. It's worth bearing in mind, any help you receive via the Household Support Fund won't affect your benefit payments. The type of help on offer varies from supermarket vouchers to direct cash payments into your bank account. Some councils are allocating their share of the fund to community groups and charities who you have to get in touch with. If you're on benefits, have limited savings, or are struggling to cover food and energy bills, it's worth seeing if you're eligible for help. Contact your local council and see if you have to apply or whether support is being distributed automatically. You can find what council area you fall under by using the government's council locator tool - Household Support Fund explained Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what you need to know about the Household Support Fund. If you're battling to afford energy and water bills, food or other essential items and services, the Household Support Fund can act as a vital lifeline. The financial support is a little-known way for struggling families to get extra help with the cost of living. Every council in England has been given a share of £742million cash by the government to distribute to local low income households. Each local authority chooses how to pass on the support. Some offer vouchers whereas others give direct cash payments. In many instances, the value of support is worth hundreds of pounds to individual families. Just as the support varies between councils, so does the criteria for qualifying. Many councils offer the help to households on selected benefits or they may base help on the level of household income. The key is to get in touch with your local authority to see exactly what support is on offer. The current round runs until the end of March 2026.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Tours delve into history of Middlesbrough's Old Town Hall
A symbol of a town's "Victorian heyday" is being shown off to visitors as part of an event detailing the area's in 1846, Middlesbrough's Old Town Hall has fallen into disrepair having been closed for almost 30 was replaced as the area's town hall in the 1880s, but went on to be used as a community centre and tours around the perimeter of the building are being held later as part of Middlesbrough's Local History Month. Middlesbrough Council described the hall as a "potent symbol of the town's Victorian heyday which saw it flourish as a powerhouse of the industrial revolution".However, the area's rapid expansion saw the population's needs outgrow the building, according to Claire Bell, the local authority's capital development manager."At one point it was the heart of civic life within the town, but a bigger town hall was later built and is the one we still use."The original was still used for a variety of functions, but it closed in 1996."It's in quite a state of disrepair and was added to the Save Britain's Heritage at-risk register in 2018, but because it's Grade II listed the council has always had an intention to make sure it was restored and repaired."Sitting between the town's Transporter Bridge and the Boho X offices in an area known to many as St Hilda's and others as Middlehaven, it is envisaged it could be brought back into use as a digital hub for start-up companies by October next year. The council has been awarded £4.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund as well as a further £1.8m by the government."We haven't got a contractor yet, but we anticipate we'll be on site in the autumn," Ms Bell explained."We've got a strong digital cohort coming through Teesside University and we want to provide the opportunity for them to stay here and get a foot on the business ladder."More information about the structure, including a timeline and video, is available on the council's website. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
