DWP benefits news: November 2024 dates for universal credit and pensions

Across the UK, millions continue to struggle as the rampant inflation of the past few years has left essentials costing more than ever before. Household bills, groceries, mortgages and rents have all hit record highs as the country navigates the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Inflation fell below the Bank of England’s target of 2 per cent. in August for the first time in more than three years and reached an unexpected 1.7 per cent.

But while lower inflation is welcome economic news, it unfortunately does not mean that costs are going back to what they were before, just that they have started to rise less quickly.

Last month Labor unveiled its first budget in power with Rachel Reeves pledging to “support people with the cost of living.” The chancellor confirmed that the national living wage would rise by 6.7 per cent next year, while benefits would be up by 1.7 per cent.

However, the latest stories from low-income households still paint a bleak picture of Britain’s economic situation. Recent research from The Trussell Trust found that almost half of all people receiving Universal Credit ran out of food in the previous month – with the figures only getting worse.

Meanwhile, thousands of vulnerable pensioners will face their first winter in decades without the £200-£300 winter fuel payment as Labor opts to push ahead with their controversial removal of the measure.

Against this challenging economic backdrop, here’s an overview of the financial support available to households in November and key dates for beneficiaries to look out for:

Benefits of going out as normal

The usual benefits and pension payments are made as usual in November, as there are no public holidays in the month. These are:

For more information about how and when government benefits are paid, visit the government website.

A report from Policy in Practice this year shows that almost 23 billion GBP in benefits not being claimed per year – they offer a useful calculator to find out what you may be eligible for.

Have you had problems with the DWP recently? Get in touch via email: [email protected]

Household Support Fund

In August, Labor confirmed it will extend the Conservative-created Household Support Fund (HSF) for a further six months beyond its September 30 end date. This means that it must now continue until the end of March 2025.

HSF are funds given to all local councils to support vulnerable households in their area. The councils are free to distribute the funds as they think is best.

For example, some have given cash grants, supermarket vouchers or help with energy bills. Visit your local council’s website to find out what help may be available.

To find out what support is available, the End Furniture Poverty charity offers a useful tool for finding help.

Other help available

Budgeting of advance loans

The government is offering a ‘budgeting advance loan’ to people on Universal Credit who are facing an emergency cash crunch. The loan has a maximum repayment period of two years.

These loans are interest-free and are automatically deducted from Universal Credit payments. You can borrow an ‘advance’ of up to:

Following the Labor Budget in October, a new cap has been introduced on the amount the DWP can deduct from benefit payments to repay loans and debts, including budgeting for advance loans.

From April 2025, the deduction from universal credit will be limited to 15 per cent of the standard allowance, down from 25 per cent.

Charitable grants

If you are struggling financially, you may be eligible for certain charitable grants. There are a wide range of grants available depending on your circumstances.

However, these grants will typically require you to meet specific criteria and can only offer limited funds.

Charitable grants are available to people who are disabled or ill, carers, survivors, unemployed, students – and many more. The charity Turn2us has an online tool to search for grants which may be available to you.

Energy provider help

A number of energy suppliers offer help to those struggling with their energy bills. These include Scottish Power, EDF, E.ON and Octopus. It’s worth contacting your energy provider to find out if you’re eligible.

British Gas is also offering a grant of up to £2,000 more customers of any energy provider. You must meet specific criteria to be eligible, and can apply on the British Gas Energy Trust website.

Municipal taxation reduction

If you meet certain criteria or are on certain benefits, you may be able to apply for a discount on your council tax discount of up to 100 per cent.

Your council may still be able to offer you a discretionary reduction if you are able to demonstrate that you are facing serious problems and cannot afford to pay your council tax.

To apply for a tax reduction, you can contact your local council via the government’s website.

Warm home discount

The heating home discount is a one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill. It is automatically deducted from your energy bills if you are eligible.

To qualify, the bill payer must have a low income with high energy costs or receive the guarantee credit element of pension credit.

Up to 30 hours of free childcare

All working parents in the UK are currently entitled to 30 hours of free childcare for children aged 3 to 4. From 1 April this entitlement was extended to include 15 hours of free childcare for 2-year-olds.

From 1 September this has again been extended to include all children from the age of nine months.

You must apply online and reconfirm your eligibility every three months in time for each school term. Working parents can also apply for tax-free childcare and get 20p back for every 80p you put into childcare, up to a maximum of £500 a year.

The final extension to free childcare, coming in September 2025, will see all children under five eligible for 30 hours.

Will benefit rates soon increase?

Following the Chancellor’s budget announcement, it was confirmed that all benefits will be upgraded by 1.7 per cent, corresponding to the September CPI figure.

While this is not unusual, campaigners had urged Labor to consider a slightly higher rise. Inflation had been higher in previous months, starting at 4 per cent. in January. It is also expected to rise and remain above 2 per cent. again from October.

The increase will apply to all working-age benefits, including universal credit, PIP, DLA, supplementary benefit, carer’s allowance, ESA and more.

The increase will take effect on 7 April 2025.

Energy price cap: Will it go up or down again in 2024?

Ofgem’s energy price cap has risen from £1,568 to £1,717 for October to December – a 10pc increase. This will mean higher bills for most households as we head into the colder months.

The energy price cap is the maximum amount that energy suppliers can charge for each unit of energy if you have a standard variable tariff. That includes most households. It is expressed as an annual bill for an average home.

The change in prices reflects the price of wholesale energy – the amount energy companies pay for their electricity and gas before delivering it to households.