An additional tax-free payment of up to £624 every month may be available to Universal Credit claimants. The monthly payment, managed by the Department for Work and Pensions, is to help with living costs.
But those who need help due to an illness, disability or mental health condition could qualify for more financial support from through Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Eligible new and existing Universal Credit claimants could receive weekly payments of up to £156.
A report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said that low income families are enduring a "year of financial fear" and making grim choices such as falling behind on bills, going without essentials or taking on expensive debt. JRF is called for an increase in basic Universal Credit entitlements to help combat this.
