Universal Credit

(Photos: Getty Images/SWNS)

'I'm scared' - pensioner warns of 'dire' winter as energy costs rise

The free school breakfast clubs will build on support for families already available, the Department for Education says

When Labour's free school breakfasts will start - what we know so far

(Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

Thousands of households to receive £500 summer holidays payment

The money will people most in need

Families to get £200 via Household Support Fund - but funds are low

Martin Ingram Flowers (60) who broke his leg at work and was told by the DWP to quit his £40k a year job in order to claim benefits.

Watch: DWP told me to quit my job to claim benefits when I broke leg

DWP holiday warning to anyone claiming PIP or Universal Credit

What you need to know about the new Universal Credit rules

Benefit fraud gang shower floor with £20 notes

Watch: Benefit fraud gang shower floor with £20 notes

3,993 people in Northumberland were claiming ESA due to mental or behavioural conditions as of last summer. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski/PA Radar)

Thousands on benefits due to mental health problems

The leap year may impact when people will receive Universal Credit payments

How the 2024 leap year could affect Universal Credit payments

Dozens of celebrities join petition with anti-poverty charities

Ed Sheeran, Jodie Whitaker, and Liam Gallagher are among dozens of celebrities who have signed an open letter, demanding politicians address the increasing number of people facing poverty in the UK.

Steve Richmond

County Hall in Morpeth.

Council tenants to face rent increase from April

Find out if you are eligble for Cold Weather Payments.

Who is eligible for Cold Weather Payments?

Universal Credit and other benefit payments will be paid earlier than expected during the Christmas period.

When will Universal Credit be paid during Christmas period

People walk near the Jobcentre in Westminster.

DWP warning over Universal Credit changes coming in October

There are seven big money changes that could affect your wallet coming in September 2023 including Universal Credit and student loans shake-ups.

Cost of living: 7 money changes to be aware of in September 2023

Which? has revealed the cheapest place to get school uniform this year

Cheapest shop to buy school uniform revealed by Which?

Benefit claimants may find their payments arrive earlier than normal this month.

Universal Credit & benefit claimants hit by another payment change

Here are eight important money changes coming in August 2023.

8 money changes coming in August 2023 including Ofgem price cap

Thousands of Universal Credit claimants are to be affected by new rules that have been introduced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) this week.

Universal Credit rule change launches this week - are you affected?

Michelle Hanney pictured riding a horse. (DWP/SWNS)

‘Disabled’ woman on benefits caught after horse riding photo found

If you claim benefits, including Universal Credit, you may find you get paid early next month due to the August bank holiday.

Full list of benefits that could be paid early next month

Universal Credit claimants will no doubt want to be aware of the rules for going abroad if they’re going on holiday this summer.

DWP explains rules around Universal Credit and going on holiday

Universal Credit and other benefit claimants are set to be hit by another payment shake-up this week.

Benefit claimants will be hit by another payment shake-up this week

Cost of living support payments are due.

Cost-of-living crisis: Thousands of households to receive support payment

Universal Credit and other benefit claimants are set to be hit by another payment shake-up this week. If you’re claiming benefits, you may find your payments arrive earlier than normal.

Universal Credit and benefit claimants have payment change coming up

Universal Credit and other benefit claimants are set to be hit by another payment shake-up this week. If you’re claiming benefits, you may find your payments arrive earlier than normal.

Universal Credit and benefit claimants hit by another payment change

A Universal Credit sign in the window of the Job Centre in Westminster.

Thousands could miss out on £301 cost of living payment - here’s why

Thousands of Universal Credit claimants could miss out on the £301 cost of living payment in May because they broke DWP rules.

Sophie Wills

Can benefits or universal credit debt be waived by DWP? Tribunal forces government to release appeal criteria

How to appeal DWP benefits debt repayments - criteria considered

Benefits payments earlier in April due to the May bank holiday (Photo: Adobe)

Thousands will receive benefits early this week- what you need to know

Taz Aldeek was rejected from nearly 100 jobs and had to spend 18 months on benefits before he finally secured his dream job as a barrister.

Man who spent months on benefits lands dream job as a barrister

The first instalment of the £900 cost of living payments is set to land in bank accounts today. The £301 cash boost from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC will be paid to those who are eligible over the next few weeks from Tuesday, April 25.

Cost of living payment to land in bank accounts from today

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, many households are struggling financially

Cost of living payments will start to land in bank accounts next week

Thousands falling short of meeting food bills.

Thousands in Northumberland can't afford food bills

Millions of people on benefits are set to get a cash boost as payments rise in line with inflation rates - full list of what will increase and how much you’ll get.

Benefit payments set to increase for millions - full list

Easter is fast approaching and while many will welcome the bank holiday break, it can affect benefit payment dates - so be sure to check if you’re affected.

Easter 2023 benefit payment dates for Universal Credit and more

Only Fans star Amber O’Donnel at Tesco after shopping for her food parcel donations - Credit: SWNS

Mum uses first OnlyFans paycheque to fill a foodbank

Due to the cost of living crisis, rent prices are predicted to rise again.

More than 20% of wages being spent on rent

Cost of Living spring payments are set to be rolled out over the next month or so - Credit: Adobe

10 ways to claim extra money for households on Universal Credit

Benefits sanctions figures.

Northumberland benefits claimants 'more likely' to have cash cut

RHS Harlow Carr

RHS offer £1 entry to its gardens for low income households

One in three families across England, Scotland and Wales in receipt of Universal Credit are having their benefits capped while not being expected to work – 37,970 in total.

Blyth Valley families have benefits capped

'The new deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, Lee Anderson is wrong to believe that charities supporting asylum seekers in Calais are involved in a multimillion-pound industry'. PIC: UK Parliament/PA Wire

Lee Anderson: ‘myth’ those on Universal credit are in poverty

A child carries a tray with food during lunch-break at St Mary’s RC Primary School, in Battersea, south London.

Number of children in food poverty nearly doubles to four million

The government could tell GPs to issue less sick notes in order to boost the economy.

Government could tell GPs to sign fewer sick notes to boost economy

The government, concerned with an increase in long term sick leave, could ask GPs to sign fewer sick notes to keep people in work.

Dennis Morton

The first £301 instalment of the money, which is intended to help vulnerable people pay their energy and grocery bills as inflation hits a 40-year high, is due to hit bank accounts this spring.

1.7 million people set to miss out on £301 cost of living payment

Citizens Advice can advise on debt, welfare benefits, energy bills, mental health issues, and more.

Ashington branch of Citizens Advice sees big spike in cases

The rules for Universal Credit are due to change in February.

Six major money changes coming in February

People who claim Universal Credit should be aware of what changes in circumstances they need to report to the DWP

The 21 changes benefit claimants must report to DWP to avoid court

The community share shed allows people in need to collect food without seeing anyone face to face.

Wooler Food Bank now considered 'a vital permanent service for the community'

Around 120,000 people are set to be affected by the changes, which could stop Universal Credit payments.

New rule could stop Universal Credit payments for thousands

DWP are set to axe six benefits by 2024 as they are being replaced by Universal Credit (Photo: Getty Images)

DWP to scrap these six benefits by 2024 - full list

A general view of the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Benefit claimants could get £1,500 payment if court appeal successful

Undated file photo of a person using a central heating thermostat.

Freezing conditions trigger cold weather payments

Users complained overnight that they could not access the HMRC’s Universal Credit portal to check on payment dates and extra help

Universal Credit: HMRC website experiences technical issues overnight