Starting from last September, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) began moving people from the older legacy benefits to Universal Credit. If your current benefits are ending, the DWP will send you a letter called a Migration Notice.

If you get this letter, you must apply for Universal Credit before the date on the letter. If you don’t apply by the deadline, the DWP can stop your current benefits.

The letter will tell you when you need to apply. If you receive an information leaflet but not a Migration Notice, you don’t need to apply for Universal Credit yet, but you should get advice from Citizens Advice’s "Help to Claim" team.

These older benefits, called legacy benefits, will stop for working-age people by these dates:

• Income Support - from 1 April 2024
• Tax Credits and Housing Benefit - from 1 April 2024
• Housing Benefit only - from 1 June 2024
• Employment Support Allowance and Child Tax Credit - from 1 July 2024
• Pension Age Tax Credit, including mixed-age couples - from 1 August 2024
• Jobseeker’s Allowance - from 1 September 2024
• Employment and Support Allowance - from 2025

You can find more details about moving to Universal Credit on the Government’s website.

Help to Apply

If you receive a Migration Notice, it’s important to contact the "Help to Claim" team at Citizens Advice as soon as possible. They can help you with the application and tell you when it’s best to apply. But remember, you must apply before the deadline.

You can get free help from an advisor by calling 0800 144 8 444 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Reducing your home's energy consumption can help lower your bills and create a more comfortable living environment.

Here are four practical tips you can implement right away:

Switch to LED Bulbs

• • Why It Matters: 
    LED bulbs use up to 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs and last significantly longer.
    
    
  • How to Do It: 
    Replace old bulbs in lamps, fixtures, and outdoor lighting with LED alternatives. Look for bulbs with the Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) label for maximum efficiency.
    
    
    
    

Seal Draughts

• • Why It Matters: 
    Gaps around windows, doors, and other openings can let warm air escape and cold air enter, increasing heating costs.
    
    
  • How to Do It: 
    Use draught excluders and/or weatherstripping to close gaps around doors and windows. Closing curtains in the evening helps to prevent heat escaping, retaining it within your home on colder nights.
    
    

Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances

• • Why It Matters: 
    Modern appliances with high energy ratings consume less electricity, reducing your overall energy usage.
    
    
  • How to Do It:
    When replacing old appliances, choose those with the highest energy efficiency ratings you can afford as this will save money on future utility bills.
     
    Look for energy-efficient models for refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, and other household devices. Energy ratings can also be found on TV's and Computers, with the most efficient typically being in the C or D brackets.
    
    

Optimise Your Heating Usage

• • Why It Matters: 
    Efficient heating practices can significantly reduce energy consumption and lower your heating bills.
    
    
  • How to Do It:
    • Lower Your Thermostat: 
      Reducing the temperature by just one degree can lower your heating bill by up to 10%.
      
      
    • Layer Your Clothing: Wear warmer clothing indoors and use blankets to stay comfortable without relying solely on heating.
      
      
    • Use Curtains Wisely: Open curtains during sunny days to let natural heat in and close them at night to retain warmth.

Discover a range of services and resources designed to help you make your home more energy-efficient, comfortable, and affordable. Whether you need expert guidance, access to energy-saving products, or more useful tips, you can find these on our Energy Efficiency page.

Implementing these tips can make a significant difference in your energy consumption and costs. Take the first step towards a more efficient home today.

If you're in arrears with your energy bills: 

Visit the National Debtline page for a useful guide on what steps to take.

Finding help to cover the cost of childcare can feel overwhelming, but there are several options available to support you.

Depending on your situation, you could be eligible for a variety of schemes designed to ease the financial burden, such as Tax-Free Childcare, Universal Credit for childcare costs, or free childcare hours. Taking advantage of these resources can make balancing work and family life more manageable.

It's important to first check which schemes you're eligible for, as they have different rules depending on your income, work status, and the age of your children. Whether you're a working parent, on a low income, or studying, there’s likely a solution that can provide significant support with childcare costs. The key is to understand the different options and choose the one that fits your needs best. Once you’ve identified the right scheme, applying is straightforward, and most applications can be completed online.

The childcare calculator on the GOV.UK website can help you to see how much support you could get for childcare. This includes:

• Free childcare for children aged 9 months to 4 years
• Financial help for children under 16 (or under 17 if they have a disability)

This tool helps you understand what you might be entitled to, making it easier to plan your childcare costs.

To help you get started, here’s a simple step-by-step guide to walk you through the process and ensure you're on track to receive the support you need.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Childcare Costs

1. Check Eligibility

Verify which childcare schemes you're eligible for by reviewing your situation on the GOV.UK website. Make sure your childcare provider is ‘approved’ under the rules of the scheme.

2. Choose the Right Scheme

Depending on your circumstances, choose the scheme that best suits your needs—whether it’s Tax-Free Childcare, help through Universal Credit, or student grants.

3. Apply Online

Follow the instructions on the GOV.UK website to submit your application, providing details about your income and childcare arrangements.

If you're facing financial difficulties and struggling to afford food, there are various support options available to help you get through tough times.

From food banks that provide emergency food supplies, to tips on eating for free, and even apps that help reduce food waste while offering affordable meals—these resources can make a real difference.

Whether you're seeking a food bank referral, learning how to stretch your food budget, or finding apps like Too Good to Go, there's help available to ensure you and your family have access to the food you need.

Using a Food Bank

Food banks are community organisations that offer support when you're struggling to afford the food you need.

Food banks typically require a referral before you can visit them, which means you will need to be recommended by a doctor, social worker, local charity, Citizens Advice or a housing association. This process is in place to ensure that the assistance goes to those who genuinely need it, providing a structured way to manage resources effectively.

The Trussell Trust is a major charity organisation that run numerous food banks across the UK. They work to combat poverty and hunger by organising food donations, coordinating with local communities, and ensuring that food reaches those most in need.

Their referral system also helps maintain a record of demand and allows for better planning and resource allocation.

• Getting a referral 

You can ask our Money Advice Team (MAT) to provide you a referral. We will usually discuss your situation with you first through either a face to face or telephone appointment.

The questions we ask are to ensure your eligibility meets the Food Bank's criteria. If you're eligible, you'll be provided with vouchers for your nearest food bank.

During the appointment, we can also check if you are receiving the benefits you're entitled to and help you make a claim for any that you are currently not in receipt of. In some cases, we may also be able to help you with other essential costs such as clothes and fuel money.

• Visiting the Food Bank

If you're referred to a Food Bank, you'll get some vouchers. Just make sure to check if there's a specific date they need to be used by. If it's a Trussell Trust food bank, you can easily find the Food bank's address on their website.

Eat for free using Money Saving Expert's Advice

If you're looking for ways to eat for free or at a lower cost, the Money Saving Expert website offers fantastic tips on how to do just that. They cover everything from food-sharing apps, free food samples, and supermarket deals to local food banks. These resources can help you stretch your food budget further and even find free meals in your area.

Download Too Good to Go

Too Good to Go is a smartphone app designed to reduce food waste by connecting users with local restaurants, bakeries, and supermarkets that have surplus food. By downloading the app, you can access delicious, perfectly good food at a fraction of the original cost, while also helping to reduce the environmental impact of food waste. The app is simple to use, allowing you to reserve discounted meals and collect them at a specified time. It’s a great way to save money and contribute to sustainability efforts at the same time.

It’s completely normal to feel anxious or unsure when dealing with debt, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone, and help is available.

National Debtline provides useful advice and tips to help you manage your debt and regain control of your finances.

Their A-Z debt advice guide covers a wide range of topics, from understanding how to handle bailiffs, understanding if bankruptcy is the right option for you, to benefit overpayments and tips on dealing with creditors and court actions.

This practical, easy-to-understand advice can empower you to take positive steps toward managing your debt more effectively and with confidence.

Making your money last longer is something many people want to do – and there are lots of simple ways to make this happen.

One easy way to start is by using Money Helper's free budget planner. This tool can help you keep track of what you earn and what you spend.

Money Helper has a range of easy-to-read guides that can help you save money on your everyday bills, like electricity, water, and food.

They also show you simple ways to manage your money, so you can know how much you can spend without getting into debt. Learning to budget is really important because it helps you stay in control of your money and avoid problems like running out of cash or borrowing too much.

Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit for people of  working age who are on a low income. 

It replaces six means-tested benefits: 

• Income Support 
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) 
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) 
• Housing Benefit 
• Child Tax Credit 
• Working Tax Credit. 

These six benefits are also known as legacy benefits. 
To read more on these, click the 'More about UC' button at the bottom of this page.

Being prepared for change

The six legacy benefits will be replaced by Universal Credit by 2025.

You can apply for Universal Credit now. If you choose to apply sooner, it’s important to get independent advice before you do as you will not be able to go back to your old benefits that Universal Credit replaces. Many claimants could be financially better off on Universal Credit. You could take advantage of this by choosing to apply for Universal Credit sooner if you think it’s right for you. Otherwise, you will be moved across by the Department for Work and Pensions by 2025.

Do be aware, if you move over to Universal Credit this cannot be undone. If you are not sure you will be better off, get advice in the first instance. 

Universal Credit is paid monthly and includes an element for rent. Claimants are expected to pay their rent from the monthly Universal Credit they receive.

What information do I need to collect before I use the benefits calculator?

Before you start to use the calculator, there are a few things you will need to know. It will be easier for you to work through all the questions if you have gathered this information for you and your partner, if you have one.

• Details of all your income, e.g. earnings, state pension, occupational pension, disability benefit, attendance allowance or other state benefits.
• If you are married, in a civil partnership, or living with someone as a couple, what is your partner’s income, including any benefits? We need to know this as you will be assessed as a couple. If you have anyone else living with you, we need to know about that too – see below.
• How much money do you have in savings, investments and other capital?
•  How much is your annual council tax bill and do you get any discounts?
• Do you pay rent, service charges or mortgage? How much?
• Do you have anyone else, eg grown-up children, living with you? Are they in employment or on benefits? What is their income?
• Does anyone receive Carer's Allowance or a Universal Credit carer element for looking after you or anyone in your household?

You may be asked to enter your income from benefits. If you don’t know how much you get, your most recent award letter will tell you. 

If you don’t have the exact information that you need, it is possible to complete the process using estimates, but please be aware that the results may not be correct for you.

Use the calculators links at the bottom of this page to try the calculators for yourself.