MILLIONS of households on Universal Credit are missing out on thousands of pounds’ worth of extra support, from free food to savings bonuses and council tax discounts.
With food inflation still stubbornly high, energy prices creeping up again and back-to-school costs piling up, September is a crucial month for struggling families to check what help is available.
Many of these schemes don’t need to be paid back, yet millions are failing to claim.
Taken together, they could be worth more than £17,000 over 12 months if someone qualifies for all of them.
Here’s a breakdown of the biggest money-savers available this September, including who can get them, how much they’re worth and how to apply.
1. Household Support Fund – up to £500
Councils are offering emergency help for essentials such as food, white goods and energy bills.
The Household Support Fund runs until March 2026, but rules and payouts vary.
For example, Brent Council offers up to £500 for struggling families, Doncaster pays between £100 and £300, and Ribble Valley provides £200–£500 in supermarket vouchers.
Check your local council’s website and search “Household Support Fund” to apply.
If you aren’t sure which is your local council, you can use this tool.
2. Warm Home Discount – £150 off energy bills
Low-income households can get £150 knocked off winter electricity bills between October and March.
Most people don’t need to apply as energy suppliers automatically add the discount if the household qualifies.
Check eligibility at www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme.
3. Cheap broadband and mobile deals – save £196 a year
Special “social tariffs” are available for people on benefits.
Virgin Media offers a £12.50-a-month package, BT Home Essentials is £15 a month, and Voxi gives unlimited data for £10 a month.
With the average broadband bill now £26.39, switching to a social tariff could save around £196 a year.
4. Free school meals – save £503.50 per child
Families on Universal Credit with a household income under £7,400 (excluding benefits) can apply for free school meals.
The saving is big – the average school lunch costs £2.65, meaning parents could save £503.50 a year per child.
In Scotland, children in primary years 1–5 get free school meals regardless of income.
Check eligibility and apply at www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals.
5. Council tax discounts – worth up to £2,280
Households on Universal Credit can slash their council tax bills by up to 100%.
With the average Band D bill now £2,280, that’s how much families could save.
Some councils, such as Manchester, cover the full bill, while others, like Bristol, knock off up to 90%.
Single people can also claim a 25% discount.
6. Water bill help – save hundreds
Water suppliers offer capped rates or special discounts for households on benefits.
Affinity Water caps bills at £119.50 a year, see www.affinitywater.co.uk.
Meanwhile, United Utilities offers 50% off for some families, more at at www.unitedutilities.com.
The average annual bill is now £603, so switching could save hundreds of pounds.
7. Energy grants – up to £1,500
Several suppliers hand out grants to help clear energy debt or cover bills.
British Gas Energy Trust offers up to £1,500, even if the applicant isn’t a customer. Apply at www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk.
E.ON Next also helps with white goods and bills. Visit www.eonenergy.com.
You’ll usually need to show proof of income, provide meter readings, and explain your situation.
These grants don’t have to be paid back.
8. Free prescriptions, dental care and eye tests
Many on Universal Credit qualify for free prescriptions, NHS dental treatment and eye tests.
This can save nearly £10 per prescription and £25.80 for a dental check-up, with the savings quickly adding up.
You’ll qualify if:
- You’re single and earn under £435/month
- Or your household earns under £935/month and gets the child element of UC or has limited capability for work
These savings can quickly add up:
- NHS prescriptions in England cost £9.90 each
- A standard NHS dental check-up is £25.80
9. Help to Save scheme – earn £300 a year
The Government pays a 50% bonus on savings through its Help to Save account.
You can save between £1 and £50 each month, and at the end of two years, you’ll receive a bonus worth half of the highest balance you’ve saved.
You can continue saving for up to four years, earning a maximum total bonus of £1,200 if you save the full amount every month.
- Payments can be stopped and restarted without penalty
- You can withdraw money if needed, but it may reduce your bonus
Apply at www.gov.uk/help-to-save.
10. School uniform grants – up to £200
Several councils hand out grants to help with school uniform costs.
Grants are often paid as vouchers, bank transfers, or reimbursements.
Amounts will vary between schools, for example:
- City of London: £160 for secondary school pupils. Apply at www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
- Sefton Council: £45 for primary and £70 for secondary. See www.sefton.gov.uk
- Wales: The Pupil Development Grant offers £200 to eligible families. More info at www.gov.wales
Deadlines and application processes vary, so check with your local authority.
11. Free or discounted travel
Jobcentre Plus offers travel discount card offers up to 50% off rail fares.
It’s available to jobseekers who have been claiming UC or JSA for at least 13 weeks (or longer depending on age). More info at www.nationalrail.co.uk.
Other discounts are available for students and young people, such as the 16–17 Saver Card, which you can apply for at www.16-17saver.co.uk.
Or you could get the Student Oyster Photocard in London, which offers 30% off travelcards and bus passes in London. See tfl.gov.uk.
12. Flexible Support Fund
This is extra cash from Jobcentres to help people back into work.
It can cover the cost of uniforms, travel to interviews or even childcare. Amounts vary depending on circumstances.
Unlike Universal Credit, this isn’t a fixed payment and is granted based on individual need.
You might be able to get:
- Up to £150 for tools, uniforms, or work clothing
- Travel costs to interviews or training
- Short-term childcare support
For example, one claimant in Leeds received £120 to cover train tickets for job interviews.
To apply, speak directly to your work coach, who can authorise support.
13. Maternity grants – £500
Parents expecting their first baby may qualify for a one-off £500 Sure Start Maternity Grant.
It doesn’t need to be repaid and won’t affect other benefits.
You’ll get £500 if:
- It’s your first child
- You’re expecting twins or more, and already have children
Applications open from 11 weeks before the due date until 6 months after birth.
You must be on Universal Credit and not already receiving other maternity payments.
Download the SF100 form at www.gov.uk and send it by post.
14. Healthy Start vouchers – worth £442 a year
Pregnant women and parents of under-fours on UC can get prepaid cards to buy healthy food and milk.
The value is £4.25 a week for pregnant women, £8.50 for babies under one, and £4.25 for children aged one to four.
In a child’s first year, this adds up to £442, and about £221 per year after that.
You’re eligible if you’re on Universal Credit with earnings below £408/month. Apply online at www.healthystart.nhs.uk.
15. Funeral support – up to £1,000
Families on Universal Credit arranging a funeral can claim up to £1,000 towards costs, plus extra help with burial or cremation fees.
This payment is usually made to the funeral director.
You can get up to £1,000 for:
- Flowers
- Funeral director’s fees
- Travel costs
Burial or cremation fees may also be covered separately.
Payments depend on your relationship with the deceased and other contributions (e.g. from insurance).
Find out more at www.gov.uk/funeral-payments.
16. Legal aid
Those on UC may qualify for legal aid in cases of domestic violence, housing disputes, or immigration issues.
Eligibility depends on circumstances, but it can cover the cost of representation.
You may have to contribute towards costs depending on your income or assets. Check eligibility at www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid.
17. Childcare support – up to £1,769 a month
Working parents on UC can claim back 85% of childcare costs, worth up to £1,769 a month for two or more children.
The money is paid after you’ve submitted evidence of payment each month.
There are often delays, so it’s important to budget carefully or ask providers if they’ll accept delayed payment.
Apply through your UC account at www.gov.uk/universal-credit/childcare-costs.
18. Free childcare hours – worth £7,500
This month, working families will be able to claim up to 30 hours of free childcare for children aged nine months to four years old.
It saves families an average of £7,500 a year.
To be eligible:
- Both parents must be working (or one, in single-parent households)
- You must earn at least £183/week and under £100,000/year
The Government says this will save families an average of £7,500 a year. More details at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.
19. Glasses and eye tests – save £233
Universal Credit claimants can get free eye tests every two years and vouchers worth up to £233 for glasses or lenses depending on prescription strength.
Some opticians apply the discount automatically if you show your UC award letter.
Check the NHS guide at www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/help-with-health-costs/free-nhs-eye-tests-and-optical-vouchers/.