Money expert Martin Lewis’ MSE website is urging people earning £35,000 or less to get £5,800 from the DWP.
The MSE site says as many as a staggering 1.4million people are missing out on an average of £5,800 a year of Universal Credit payments, especially those earning under £35,000 as a household.
Part of what the ‘catch all’ monthly benefit does is support people on low incomes or no income with their housing or living costs.
Households with lower incomes are thought to be missing out on payments worth an average of £5,800 a year.
But if you have kids or high childcare costs, you could still be eligible for some Universal Credit payments even if you earn up to £60,000 a year, Martin Lewis’ MSE says.
The government’s Universal Credit website says: “You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or need help with your living costs. You could be: out of work, working (including self-employed or part time) or unable to work, for example because of a health condition.
The government says claimants must live in the UK, be aged 18 or over and be under state pension age.
You also must have £16,000 or less in your bank account, including savings or investments.
If one of you or your partner has reached state pension age, you can still claim Universal Credit as a couple but these payments will stop once both of you reach state pension age.
Martin Lewis’ MSE says: “UNIVERSAL CREDIT – 1.4 MILLION miss out on an average of up to £5,800 a year. The catch-all monthly benefit to support those of working age (with low or no income) with living & housing costs. Who’s likely missing out? Households with lower incomes, up to roughly £35,000/yr, though if you’ve kids, high childcare costs and rent, it could be £60,000/yr.”
