Now, more than ever, it's crucial to make sure you're getting all the benefits you qualify for, as they can boost your income. Many people miss out on benefits simply because they don't know they're eligible. A benefits calculator can help you find out if there are any benefits you could be claiming.
Use a benefits calculator to get an estimate, or reach out to the benefits team for more information and support.
Better Off Calculator | Policy In Practice
New Benefit claims:
Jobcentre Plus
Telephone: 0800 055 6688
Textphone: 0800 023 4888
https://www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus/new-benefit-claims
Take a look at our Reduce Your Bills page for more details.
You can contact your local advice centre for support. Be sure to bring your bills and bank statements to your appointment. Use the Citizens Advice branch locator to find your nearest branch.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/
If you're over 50, you can contact Age UK Lincoln and South Lincolnshire, Monday to Friday on 03455 564 144. You can also visit their website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/lincolnsouthlincolnshire/our-services/information--support/
Look at our Advice and Support Services page for local contacts and support.
Find out about council tax discounts in Lincolnshire. For more details on discounts and exemptions, visit your local council’s website or our Council Tax Support page.
The Government aims to move all benefit claimants to Universal Credit by the end of 2024. Once you switch from legacy benefits to Universal Credit, you can’t return to the old system. There are differences in how payments are made, and debt recovery rates under Universal Credit are higher than those in the current system.
If you don’t have enough money to live on while you wait for your first Universal Credit payment, you might be able to get an advance. This will be taken out of your future payments, and you will be told how much will be deducted.
Government support is available to help parents with childcare costs, whether you have toddlers or teenagers. Find out more by visiting: Check what help you could get with childcare costs - GOV.UK
Support & Benefits for Children
Support and benefits are available for school-aged children, such as free school meals, transport, and uniform allowances. For more details, visit your local council’s website.
Healthy Start
If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may qualify for help buying healthy food and milk. Eligible individuals will receive a Healthy Start card, which can be used in participating UK shops to buy items like plain cow’s milk, fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables, pulses, and infant formula. For more information and how to apply, visit: https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/
