The Department for Work and Pensions has quietly reminded millions of people across the country that there’s more to Universal Credit than the monthly payment that lands in their account. Hidden within the benefit system are small but powerful sources of extra help and if you’re claiming Universal Credit, you could get support worth as much as £767 before the end of October.
This isn’t a new government handout or a special one-off bonus. Instead, it’s a mix of existing schemes, local grants, and automatic discounts that too many people don’t realise they can claim. With the cost of living still stretching household budgets, these small bits of financial relief could mean the difference between just surviving and having a bit of breathing space.
Universal Credit was created to bring together several older benefits under one system — a way to make life simpler for people who are out of work or earning too little to get by. But while the monthly payment is the core of it, the DWP has also built around it a network of extra support programmes designed to help with things like heating, food, housing, and even internet access. The problem is that not everyone knows where to look or how to claim them, and some assume they’re not entitled when, in fact, they are.
Let’s look at how that extra £767 can be found and why it matters so much right now.
Across the country, bills have barely come down even though energy prices have eased slightly. Food prices are still higher than they were two years ago, rent continues to climb, and many families are living month to month. Universal Credit alone doesn’t always stretch far enough, especially when people also face unexpected costs a broken appliance, school expenses, or medical needs. That’s why these add-on schemes exist: to fill the gaps that the main payment doesn’t cover.
One of the best-known forms of extra help is the Warm Home Discount. It’s a government-backed energy support programme that gives around £150 off winter electricity bills for millions of households. Most people don’t even have to apply; if you meet the criteria, the discount is automatically applied by your energy supplier. Instead of receiving cash, your bill is simply reduced, usually between October and March, the months when heating costs rise the fastest.
What’s helpful about this scheme is that it doesn’t just cover people on Universal Credit it includes many who are on low incomes generally. That means even if you’re working part-time or receiving top-up benefits, you could still qualify. If your energy company supplies both your gas and electricity, you can sometimes ask for the discount to go toward your gas bill instead, which is particularly useful for those who rely on gas heating.
Then there’s the Household Support Fund, which many people haven’t heard of even though it’s been running since 2021. It’s one of those quiet government schemes that doesn’t make the headlines but has helped thousands of families keep the lights on.
The money doesn’t come directly from the DWP this time; instead, it’s handed out by local councils across England. Each council decides how to use it some offer supermarket vouchers, others pay a small grant straight into your bank account, and some provide emergency help for essentials like heating repairs or food parcels.
The important thing is that this fund still exists, and it’s been extended until March 2026. Most of the people who receive it are on Universal Credit or other income-related benefits, but you often have to apply directly through your council.
The process is usually simple an online form or a quick call yet many never bother to check because they assume it’s only for people “worse off.” In truth, if you’re struggling, you should check your council’s website or ring their customer service line and ask about the Household Support Fund. Even £100 or £120 can make a real difference in a tough month.
Another area where Universal Credit claimants can gain ground is Council Tax. It’s easy to forget how big this bill is until it starts eating into your budget. In most areas, a Band D property pays over £2,000 a year — that’s roughly £220 every month if you spread it over ten payments. But if you’re on a low income, your local authority can slash or even wipe out that amount entirely through something called the Council Tax Reduction scheme.
Every council runs its own version, but the basic idea is the same: if your income is low enough, you pay less tax. Some people qualify for 25% or 50% discounts, while others pay nothing at all. It depends on your earnings, household size, and savings. You usually have to fill out a separate form on your council’s website, but it’s worth doing because the savings can easily reach hundreds of pounds a year — one of the biggest pieces of support available to anyone on Universal Credit.
Water bills are another area where quiet savings can be made. Most people pay whatever their supplier sets, assuming there’s no way around it. But every major water company in the UK now offers social tariffs for customers on benefits or low incomes.
These tariffs are capped rates, meaning your bill cannot go above a certain limit regardless of how much water you use. For instance, Affinity Water limits bills to about £119.50 per year for those who qualify. Compare that with the national average of over £600, and you’re looking at potential savings of roughly £40 per month money that can go toward food or travel instead of disappearing down the drain.
You don’t have to switch companies or meters to get these discounts; you just contact your supplier and explain your circumstances. They may ask for proof of Universal Credit or income, and once approved, your reduced rate stays in place as long as you remain eligible.
For people with ongoing health issues, there’s another little-known advantage: free NHS prescriptions. If your household income from Universal Credit is below a certain limit, you don’t have to pay for prescriptions at all. Normally in England each prescription costs £9.90, so anyone who needs regular medication knows how quickly that adds up. Over the course of a year, skipping those charges could save you more than £120.
You don’t need to fill out long forms; you simply tick the Universal Credit box on the back of your prescription form when you collect your medicine. It’s a small thing, but for people managing conditions like diabetes, arthritis, or high blood pressure, the savings are steady and ongoing. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are already free for everyone, so this particular help matters most for people living in England.
Energy costs remain one of the biggest worries this winter, which is why British Gas has reopened its Energy Support Fund. This fund is different from the government’s discount schemes it’s paid for by the company itself to help customers who’ve fallen behind on their bills. If you’re with British Gas and owe money on your account, you could receive a grant of anywhere between £50 and £2,000, depending on your situation. Most successful applicants get around £150 or £160, but higher awards are possible.
The aim is to stop people from falling into long-term debt and facing disconnection. The application process is done online through the British Gas Energy Trust, and you’ll need to show details of your household income, spending, and arrears. Even if you’re not with British Gas, other suppliers like E.ON and EDF also offer hardship funds, so it’s always worth checking your provider’s website to see what’s available.
Families with school-aged children can also get valuable help through free school meals. This scheme has been around for decades, but the income thresholds have changed, and many parents don’t realise they now qualify under Universal Credit. If your household earns less than £7,400 a year (not counting benefits), you can apply for your child to receive free lunches at school.
The saving might not sound dramatic day to day, but it quickly adds up. The average school meal costs about £2.65, which works out to more than £500 a year per child. For a family with two children, that’s over £1,000 saved annually or around £80 a month you don’t have to find. Applications go through your local council or your child’s school, and once approved, it renews automatically unless your circumstances change.
Even staying connected is becoming part of social support now. Broadband and mobile companies are offering social tariffs, low-cost plans created specifically for people on benefits. These deals can cut your monthly bill by £15–£20 compared with standard prices, and in some cases even more. For instance, BT’s “Home Essentials” plan offers broadband for around £15 a month, while Vodafone, Sky, and Virgin have similar options. All you usually need to do is provide proof of your Universal Credit claim.
This might not sound as urgent as heating or food, but internet access is essential for applying for jobs, managing benefits, and keeping in touch with family. For many, losing that connection can make life even harder, so social tariffs are one of the smartest ways to reduce stress without cutting yourself off from the world.
When you add everything together the Warm Home Discount, Household Support Fund, Council Tax help, water discounts, free prescriptions, energy grants, school meals, and cheaper broadband it’s easy to see how those savings approach £767 or more. Some of these schemes are one-off payments, while others reduce your bills month after month. What matters is that they exist and that they’re open now, especially as the colder months arrive.
The key to making the most of these opportunities is awareness. Too many people miss out simply because they assume their Universal Credit covers everything or because they’ve never been told about local funds. The DWP often promotes these schemes through letters, emails, and its website, but local councils and energy companies also have a duty to inform customers. If you’re struggling or unsure, it’s always worth asking — whether that’s through your council, Citizens Advice, or your utility provider.
Of course, no single scheme can solve the wider problem of rising living costs. Universal Credit was designed as a safety net, but many say it doesn’t always feel like one when prices keep rising faster than benefit payments. That’s why these additional supports are so important. They don’t fix everything, but they take the edge off the hardest pressures: keeping the heat on, feeding children, staying connected, and avoiding debt.
For anyone receiving Universal Credit, the message from the DWP is clear don’t wait. Check your eligibility, reach out to your council, and make sure you’re claiming every bit of help you’re entitled to. These aren’t handouts; they’re lifelines built into the system to make sure families can live with dignity through difficult times.
By the end of October, many of these offers will close or reset for the new financial period. Taking the time now to ask a few questions or fill out a quick form could put hundreds of pounds back into your pocket — money that could cover groceries, heating, or even just a little peace of mind.
It’s easy to overlook these small bits of support, especially when day-to-day life feels like a constant juggle of bills and responsibilities. But the truth is, they’re there for a reason. They were created because the government recognised that Universal Credit alone wasn’t always enough. Whether it’s the local council offering vouchers for food, an energy firm reducing your bill, or a school providing free lunches, every piece of help adds up.
In the end, £767 isn’t just a number. For some families, it’s the difference between being able to turn on the heating this winter or not. It’s the reassurance that your child won’t go hungry at school, or that your lights won’t be shut off because of an unpaid bill. And that’s why the DWP is urging everyone on Universal Credit to check what they can get before October ends — because in times like these, every bit of help counts.