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The Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Full list of freebies and discounts you can claim in June worth up to £40,000 if you're on PIP
MILLIONS of people claiming the personal independent payment (PIP) can get access to a range of freebies and discounts this month. PIP is a payment that is given to people with a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition to help with their extra living costs. 1 The payment is worth up to £187.45 a week and the money is paid once a month. To claim it you need to be over the age of 16 but under the state pension age, which is currently 66. You also need to have a health condition or disability that has caused difficulties with daily living, mobility or both for at least three months. PIP is made up of two parts and whether you can claim one or both of these depends on how much your condition impacts you. The daily living part is given to people who need help with everyday tasks. The weekly rate for this is either £73.90 or £110.40. Meanwhile, the mobility part is for people who need help getting around. On this part the weekly rate is either £29.20 or £77.05 - and you could get both elements. In addition to the benefit payments, if you claim PIP then you can also get a range of additional perks and discounts, such as a Blue Badge or capped water bills. Here we reveal a full list of benefits you can claim this month. Three key benefits that YOU could be missing out on, and one even gives you a free TV Licence Blue badge If you receive PIP then you are automatically eligible for a blue badge if you either: Scored eight points or more in the 'moving around' part of your PIP assessment. Scored ten points in the 'planning and following journeys' section of your PIP assessment and were put in category 'E'. This means your stress, anxiety or other mental health issues stop you from leaving the house. You should be able to find this information on your PIP decision letter. But you can still get a badge if you have long-term problems walking or going to places, including problems caused by stress, anxiety or other mental health issues. What is PIP? HOUSEHOLDS suffering from a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition can get extra help through personal independence payments (PIP). The maximum you can receive from the Government benefit is £172.75 a week. PIP is for those over 16 and under the state pension age, currently 66. Crucially, you must also have a health condition or disability where you either have had difficulties with daily living or getting around - or both- for three months, and you expect these difficulties to continue for at least nine months (unless you're terminally ill with less than 12 months to live). You can also claim PIP if you're in or out of work and if you're already getting limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) payments if you claim Universal Credit. PIP is made up of two parts and whether you get one or both of these depends on how severely your condition affects you. You may get the mobility part of PIP if you need help going out or moving around. The weekly rate for this is either £26.90 or £71. While on the daily living part of PIP, the weekly rate is either £68.10 or £101.75 - and you could get both elements, so up to £172.75 in total. You can claim PIP at the same time as other benefits, except the armed forces independence payment. Make a claim by calling the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on 0800 917 2222. You are also eligible if you have severe problems using both arms. You need to contact your local council to apply for a Blue Badge. You can use your PIP award letter to apply but some councils may charge you a fee. The most you can be charged in England is £10 and £20 in Scotland. It is free in Wales. Once you receive the badge you can use car parking spaces that are closer to entrances and may be larger. You can also park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours, unless there are loading or unloading restrictions. Discounted days out If you receive PIP then you could get discounts on days out and memberships. You may be able to save on cinemas, theatres, theme parks and zoos. The charity Scope has a guide outlining some of the discounts on offer. To find out more visit If you have a carer then you may also be able to get two for one tickets to hundreds of attractions. For example, your carer may be entitled to discounted or free entry to National Trust and English Heritage properties. Similarly, the UK Cinema Association offers CEA cards that will give your carer a free ticket at participating cinemas. All Merlin Entertainment attractions also offer one complimentary pass per disabled person. Buying a Merlin Annual Pass will get you a free Carer Pass which can be used by anyone assisting you on the day. Benefit top-ups If you receive certain benefits then you may be able to get a top-up, which is called a disability premium. To be eligible you will need to receive one of the following along with PIP: Housing benefit Jobseeker's allowance Employment and support allowance Pension credit - but only if you get the PIP daily living component You should contact the office that is in charge of your benefits. Tell them that you get PIP and ask them what other help you can get. You may need to send them a copy of your PIP award letter. They should be able to tell you how much extra you will get. Vehicle tax reduction If you claim the standard rate mobility part of PIP then you can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax. Vehicle tax, also known as road tax, is a fee you need to pay to use your car on public roads. To qualify for a discount the vehicle must be registered in the disabled person's name or their nominated driver's name. To apply for a reduction you will need to make claim and provide the following documents: A letter or statement from the Department for Work and Pensions that shows your PIP rate and the dates you're getting it. The vehicle log book (V5C). A V10 form. Evidence of a current MOT, if you need one. For example, this could be a copy of your vehicle's MOT history or your MOT certificate, if you have one. A cheque or payable order (made out to 'DVLA, Swansea') for 50% of the full rate of car tax for the vehicle. You should send your application to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BF. If you are on the enhanced rate of PIP then you could qualify for a complete exemption from vehicle tax. If you are applying for the first time, you need to visit your nearest Post Office branch. You can find your nearest branch at or call 0345 722 3344. Lease a vehicle If you are awarded the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP and have at least 12 months left on your current allowance, you may be able to join the Motability Scheme. Through the scheme you can use your qualifying mobility allowance to lease a new vehicle. The scheme will cover your insurance, servicing and breakdown. For more information about joining the scheme and to explore the range of available vehicles, you can request an information pack from the Motability Scheme website. Disabled Facilities Grant You may be able to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant if you are disabled and want to make changes to your home to suit your needs. For example, you may want to build an extension or install ramps. The exact amount you could get depends on where you live. How to cut your bills IF you're struggling financially, you might be able to cut the cost of your bills to help you get out of the red. Council tax: You can apply for a council tax reduction on the website but you'll need to meet certain criteria. Your bill could be cut by as much as 100 per cent if you're on a low income or claim benefits. Carers who look after someone in the household for at least 35 hours a week are also exempt from paying. Water: Households might be able to save money by getting a water meter but it all depends on how much you're using. To check if it's finacially worthwhile, use the Consumer Council for Water's free ater meter calculator. Rent: If you have the space available and your landlord or local authority says it's ok to do so, you might want to consider getting a flatmate. Not only will you split the cost of the rent, but also the other bills. Hire purchase: If you're struggling to make your repayments on your hire purchase, you can usually end the contract by returning the goods. You will have to pay all the instalments due up to the time you end the agreement but this will limit the amount you owe. Contact Citizens Advice for free for more help with this. Gas and electricty: MoneySavingExpert says families can save £330 on average by switching from Standard Variable Tariffs (SVTs) to a better rate. Use a comparison site such as MoneySuperMarket or Energyhelpline to see what deals are available. Mortgage: If you get into debt with your mortgage payments, don't wait for your lender to chase you. Work out what you can afford using the Citizens Advice budgeting tool so you can discuss your payment options moving forward with your mortgage provider. Secured Loan: Your secured loan might be covered by the Consumer Credit Act and if it is, you may be able to apply for a Time Order. This is a special agreement by the courts allowing you more time to make payments. Secured loans not covered by the Consumer Credit Act include gas, electricity or water meters, payments that need to be written off in full, mortgages, credit union loans, loans from an employer and some short term trade agreements. County Court Judgements: If you receive a County Court claim form talk to a free debt advice service straight away. This includes Citizens Advice (0808 800 9060), StepChange (0800 138 1111) and the National Debtline (0808 808 4000). TV licence: Some households are eligible for a reduced fee or free TV Licence. Check here to see if you are entitled to a reduced or free rate. If you live in England then you could get up to £30,000, while those who live in Wales could get £36,000 and up to £25,000 in Northern Ireland. You will need to apply through your local council, which must give you a decision within six months. Free prescriptions If your disability means that you are eligible for PIP then you may also be able to get free NHS prescriptions. Whether you are eligible will depend on your specific medical condition. Certain illnesses such as epilepsy and diabetes automatically entitle you to free prescriptions. To get them you will need to apply for a medical exemption certificate, which is a card that fits in your wallet. To apply visit your doctor and request an FP92A form. Your doctor should be able to help you with the process. Disabled person's railcard People who receive PIP may be able to save a third on train travel with a Disabled Persons Railcard. The card costs £20 for one year or £54 for three years. On average it could save you up to £126 but the exact amount will depend on how often you travel by train. To apply visit You will need a copy of your award letter showing that you have received PIP in the past 12 months. Water bills Some water suppliers provide help for customers who receive certain benefits, such as PIP, through their WaterSure scheme. To qualify you need to have a water meter and need to use a lot of water due to a medical condition. The scheme works by capping your bills and does not impact your credit score. The cap depends on where you live. For example, Severn Trent will cap your fresh water bill at £321.23 a year, while for sewerage it is £234.66. This means in total you would pay up to £555.89 a year. Who is eligible for the scheme varies depending on your supplier, so check directly with them to see if you qualify. .
BBC News
23-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Young people driven away from Guernsey by high prices
Guernsey's young people do not see a future in the island, according to a new study. The Quality of Life Report 2025 was compiled by the Guernsey Community Foundation (GCF) which found young people were being "driven away" by rising living also found that 22% of pensioners,19% of children and 17% of working age adults lived in relative poverty in Roberts, the foundation's chief executive and co-author of the report, said it was "intended to stimulate discussion before and after the election". The report is the first of its kind and makes a number of observations based on previously published data and a survey of 3,000 report found that 5% of islanders, about 3,200 people, often go without essentials like food and heating. 'Forced to share beds' Half (51%) of the poorest households do not have carpets or floor coverings in every room and more than a third (38%) do not have a bed for every person in the report found that in some cases the lack of a bed was down to cost, but more often it was due to a lack of bedrooms, so family members were forced to share beds. The GCF is a charitable organisation that conducts research, proposes changes to social policy and works with other charities to connect people in need in Roberts said the effects of poverty did "not appear to be fully or widely appreciated".He said the high cost of living meant "Guernsey is driving its people away"."Concerns about rising living costs and difficulties finding somewhere affordable to live are forcing some residents, especially young families, to move away, or to plan to move away. "Even though they want to stay, they don't see a future here, and that should concern us all." 'Young people suffering' Mr Roberts said the report also highlighted that young people are experiencing more bullying and have lower self-esteem than ever before."A lot of the island's young people are hurting. Low self-esteem, bullying, poor mental health, anxiety about the future."They are growing up in an island that is different to the one that their parents and their grandparents grew up in."The rate of high self esteem among pupils at schools dropped by 22% between 2016 and next general election is on 18 June 2025 - see a full list of the candidates here.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Business Daily Portugal's immigration dilemma
Available for over a year As Portugal heads into its third general election in four years, immigration is proving to be a key issue. The famously welcoming country is facing a backlash from residents who are experiencing rising living costs and a lack of housing. Now the country is tightening its immigration rules – so what could the economic impact be? Presented and produced by Antonio Fernandes (Image: A Portuguese flag flying over the capital, Lisbon. Credit: Getty Images)
Independent Singapore
14-05-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
‘Not all households are the same' — Some Singaporeans wish CDC vouchers were given per person instead of per household
SINGAPORE: While there is no doubt that most Singaporeans are grateful for the extra help that CDC Vouchers give, in the face of high living costs, some have expressed the wish that they would be given per person instead of per household. On Tuesday (May 13), Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that the latest tranche of CDC Vouchers worth $500 has been made available . These are part of the government's commitment to help Singaporeans cope with increased prices, especially for food and other essential items. Each household with at least one Singaporean may avail of the vouchers, which are split into $250 that may be spent at participating heartland hawkers and merchants, and the other $250 at participating grocery stores. On Reddit, however, u/Dizzy_Boysenberry499 expressed their opinion that vouchers should be given to individuals and asked others to weigh in. ' I understand that there is much criticism about CDC vouchers. Some are more valid than others. I can accept that CDC Vouchers are given as a 'voucher' and not cash so as to ensure that spending goes to support legitimate household expenses, doesn't just flow out to support JB's economy, but to support legitimate local businesses,' they wrote. However, they disagree with the vouchers being distributed per household, arguing that if a household has five members in one address, they take up less space but receive less voucher support. The post author also believes that not giving out CDC Vouchers per person may end up affecting Singapore's birth rate. ' Additionally, isn't the government trying to encourage having children? I understand that a child under 18 may not need as much as an adult, but maybe we could have half the value for under 18 and full value for above 18?' they wrote. In the same vein, there should also be extra consideration for those in the sandwich generation who are looking after their elderly relatives at home instead of entrusting them to the care of institutions. Families in these situations should also not be 'punished' with less voucher support. The post spawned a lively discussion, with the top comment being one involving another kind of solution for high prices. 'I think most would agree. I think the real controversial opinion is on whether most need the CDC Voucher at all. Would rather they do something permanent about cost of living issues,' a Reddit user wrote. 'Totally agree. In fact, I just wrote feedback to MOF on exactly this right before I saw this thread,' chimed in another. 'Agree. Bigger families should have a higher quantum, seeing that the primary purpose of this is to aid in the costs of living,' one added. Some, however, pointed out that individual vouchers will be distributed by July. For many, the bigger issue is finding a more permanent solution to increased living costs. 'Just hope to earn more by myself without needing to depend on these CDC Vouchers,' one sighed, which caused another to respond with 'Yes, this is the ideal scenario for me too. I was legit happy buying fruits with the supermarket vouchers until I suddenly realised I am on 'food stamps'. That gave me a shock.' /TISG Read also: 'My whole chicken is here' — Singaporeans react to latest tranche of CDC Vouchers worth S$500
The Sun
09-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
The 18 changes anyone on Universal Credit must report to the DWP including holiday warning – or risk being fined
UNIVERSAL credit claimants must report certain changes to their circumstances - or risk being fined or taken to court. The benefit payment is given out to people who need help with living costs. 1 You can usually get it if you're on a low income, out of work or you can't work. It's paid monthly and is replacing other benefits like Housing Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance and Income Support. However many Universal Credit claimants might be unaware that they need to report certain changes in circumstances to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). If you don't report one of these 18 changes, you could have your benefits stopped, be fined or even taken to court. Here's what you need to know... What counts as a change in circumstances? Universal Credit is calculated based on your specific circumstances so you must let the DWP know if there's anything that could affect your payments. Not updating them is a criminal offence because you could be paid more in benefits than you're owed. This is the full list of what the DWP considers to be a change in circumstances: Finding or finishing a job Having a child Moving in with your partner Starting to care for a child or disabled person Your child stopping or restarting education or training, if they're aged 16 to 19 Changing your mobile number or email address moving to a new address Going outside Great Britain for any length of time, if you live there Going outside Northern Ireland for any length of time, if you live there Changing your bank details Your rent going up or down Changes to your health condition Becoming too ill to work or meet your work coach If a medical professional has said you're nearing the end of life changes to your earnings (only if you're self-employed) changes to your savings, investments and how much money you have Changes to your immigration status, if you're not a British citizen This means that if you're on holiday you will need to notify your work coach and you'll also need to keep meeting the conditions of your Universal Credit claim. That means if you're in the intensive work group and have to spend a minimum amount of hours per week looking for a job, you have to keep doing this. Claimants can stay abroad for one month and carry on receiving payments. How do I let the DWP know? You'll need to get in touch with the DWP as soon as possible. You can do this by sending a message to your work coach via your Universal Credit journal. But you can also call the free Universal Credit helpline, which is open between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday. The number is 0800 328 5644, or you can textphone to 0800 328 1344. To speak to someone in the Welsh language, call 0800 012 1888. What happens if I don't tell them? You could be taken to court or have to pay a fine if you give the wrong information or don't report a change. If you're suspected of taking advantage of the benefit system, you may be visited by a Fraud Investigation Officer. You could also be asked to attend an "interview under caution" to talk about your claim. These are formal interviews and will be recorded, and could be used as part of a criminal investigation against you. If you've committed or attempted fraud, you will need to pay back the overpaid money. You could also have to pay a fine of between £350 and £5,000. Another punishment could include having your benefits reduced or even stopped altogether, which is known as a sanction. What if I forgot to report changes? And can I appeal? If a genuine mistake has been made or you have a good reason, you may be able to appeal. You can argue your case with the DWP if: You did the activity they say you haven't done You had a good reason for the activity you've been sanctioned for You've been sanctioned for something that wasn't in your claimant commitment Your original claimant commitment was inappropriate for your circumstances If you've been sanctioned for not taking a job, stopping work or losing pay - eg if it was offered to you during a strike You weren't properly notified of an appointment If you're in the 'all work-related requirements group' and had particular circumstances that meant you shouldn't have been sanctioned, like if you had to go to court as a witness or a defendant If any of these are the case, you can contact Citizens Advice on 0800 144 8 444 for England, 0800 023 2 581 for Scotland or 080 002 4 1220 for Wales to discuss how you will appeal. Another option is to chat to an adviser on its website between 8am and 6pm. They will help you take out a 'mandatory reconsideration' against the DWP.
