Where to Get Extra Financial Support
In this infosheet we outline other ways to get financial support, in addition to Universal Credit.
For people on a low income in the UK, Universal Credit (UC) is the primary source of support. However, we’ve found other ways you can get extra financial help.
UC gives you access to other forms of support, that can help you cover essential living costs.
“Everyone is entitled to some form of benefit at some point in their life.”
UC:Us Team
Welfare supplementary payments
Welfare Supplementary Payments (sometimes called ‘welfare reform mitigations’) are additional payments made to many people in Northern Ireland who would otherwise lose money due to certain benefit rules.
These include:
living in social housing with more bedrooms than their family is deemed to need
your Welfare Supplementary Payment will normally stop if you move to UC. However, most people will get an ‘administrative payment’ of the same amount and for the same purpose.
Help with rising costs of living
Daily living costs
If you’re on UC, you’ll automatically get a series of one-off payments to help deal with the current rise in the cost of living. You’ll get the payment automatically, the same way you get UC.
You can also get this payment if you’re a pensioner or get benefits for a disability. There are some exceptions.
Reducing Debt Recovery from your UC Payments
When you first claim UC, it is likely that you will have to take a UC Advance Payment to support your living costs during the five week wait for your UC payments to begin. You may also have older social security debt. These loans will be recovered from your UC payments. This will reduce your income.
Claimants in Northern Ireland can call the Debt Management Centre (see contact details below) and arrange for a reduction of debt repayments or a change to the payment term. In some cases, social security debt can be waived.
Deductions for other debts
In some cases, money is taken directly from your UC payment and paid directly to a provider you owe money to for things like utilities or rent. This is called a ‘third party deduction’. The Department of Communities is in charge of these deductions. They can work with you to space out the deductions over a period of time.
If you’re having trouble making your payments and want to arrange to have the deduction spread over a period of 18 months, call 0800 587 2982.
Debt deductions are made when a benefit claimant has arrears of essential household outgoings (like rent, rates or energy bills). Money can be deducted from your Universal Credit payment and paid directly to the service provider. This is called a ‘third party deduction’.
Deductions can also be taken from earnings after your UC claim ends.
You can contact Debt Management and ask for the deductions to be reduced if you do not have enough UC to live on.
If you are claiming in Northern Ireland, you can find contact details for Debt Management here: Debt Management
If you are claiming in England, Scotland or Wales, you can find contact details for Debt Management here: DWP Debt Management customer service standards
If you have any concerns contact an independent advice agency for support.
You can read more about Debt deductions in our Managing Overpayments & Deductions section
Debt waiver information - Northern Ireland
Different departments in Debt Management provide support with different types of debt. You will find all the contact details you need below:
Service Centre: (enquiries about recovery of overpaid benefits, including Direct Earnings attachments): Phone: 0800 587 1322
Third Party Deductions: (enquiries about deductions from benefits for public utility debts (except Universal Credit):
Phone: 0800 587 2982
Social Fund loans;
Phone: 0800 022 4250
Discretionary Support loans: (enquiries about recovery of DS loans)
Phone: 0800 587 2983
Support for Mortgage Interest: (enquiries about the recovery of payments):
Phone: 0800 587 2984
Welfare Supplementary Payments: (enquiries about recovery of WSP overpayments)
Phone: 0800 587 2985
Email: BELFASTCOLLEGESTREETDCNI.DEBTMANAGEMENTCUSTOMERENQUIRIES@DFCNI.GOV.UK
Help with health and child-related costs
Health costs
You may be entitled to free sight tests, dental treatment, vouchers for glasses/contact lenses or help with travel to treatment. Watch our video to find out what you need to be aware of when applying for help with health costs.
Uniform grants
If you are on UC and your annual household income is less than £14,000 you may be eligible for a school uniform grant and/or a PE uniform grant.
Free School meals
If you are on UC and your annual household income is less than £14,000 your child may be eligible for free school meals.
End of Holiday Hunger Payments
A Free School Meal Payment paid during school holiday periods was introduced in March 2020 to help families during the Covid-19 pandemic. This payment stopped at the end of March 2023 due to budget cuts. This means that families will not receive any support this summer.
Priority nursery placements
Priority for places at a pre-school is given to children who have parents in receipt of benefits, including Universal Credit.
Maternity Costs
You can get a one-off payment to help towards the costs of maternity and baby items.
You must be on UC or another qualifying low-income benefit and have no other children in your family
Universal Credit & childcare
You may be able to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs. If you are claiming in Northern Ireland, from October 2021 a non-repayable grant (of up to £1500) will be available to cover upfront childcare costs for those entering employment.*
More on the childcare element can be found here: The 7 elements of Universal Credit
Healthy Start Card
If you are claiming UC and you are pregnant or have parental responsibility for a child under 4 years old you can apply for a NHS healthy start card. You can use the money to support the cost of food and milk.
The Healthy start scheme is for people who live in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you life in Scotland you can apply for a Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods.
Funeral costs
If you are responsible for organising a funeral while on UC you are entitled to help with funeral costs. Keep in mind, this may need to be repaid from the deceased person’s estate.
Help with training and work search costs
Advisor Discretionary Fund (or Flexible Support Fund in England and Wales)
Your Work Coach can give you this grant to cover the cost of travel expenses to interviews or the purchase of tools or clothing for work.
You can also use the Flexible Support Fund to cover some upfront childcare costs provided that it helps you to find work. Ask your work coach how to apply.
Training costs
You may be able to get access to free training and qualifications through your local Jobs and Benefits Office (or Jobcentre Plus office). Ask your work coach what training-related support you can get when you talk about what work you want and how you are looking for it..
Help for home improvements
Crisis Support
In the Crisis support section of this guide you can find the support packages that are available for people who are living on a low income and are undergoing extremely difficult circumstances.
