June - a blog from Gillian - Jun 5, 2024
As we acknowledged the Mental Health Awareness week earlier in May and recent statistics showed:
- 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year
&
- 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem like anxiety and depression in any given week
It is no surprise that with the cost of living and financial worry that these things can affect any person at any age. Whether you are setting out into your first job from leaving school or attending college, relocating to a new job, starting a family or retiring, your mental health at some stage will be affected.
Many people assume that because they are in employment they are not entitled to any additional financial help. Depending on your personal circumstances i.e. employment status, household income, dependants, capital and savings held you may be eligible for a top up in income from Universal Credits.
On the 1st May 2024 it was announced that it was estimated £7.5 billion of Universal Credits is unclaimed by 1.2 million eligible households and £2.9 billion of council tax support is unclaimed by 2.7 million eligible households each year!!
Latest Financial News
Potential future change in Carer’s Allowance:
Martin Lewis is currently appealing for a change in Carer’s Allowance after is emerged in May that approx.135,000 people have an outstanding debt due to being overpaid this benefit. This is because unlike Universal Credits which is calculated using a ‘taper rate’, so that if someone earns over the threshold, the benefit doesn’t immediately end, but instead is gradually reduced. Unfortunately, with Carer’s Allowance if you earn a 1p over the criteria amount of £151 per week you are entitled to repay back what you have received. Any updates on this topic will be included in future blogs.
The Energy Price Cap Drop:
On the 24th May it was announced that from the 1st July 2024 the price households pay for gas and electricity will fall on average by 7%, this will still remain higher than what we were paying prior to the energy crisis.
According to officials approximately for each £100 you currently pay, you will pay £93 from July to September as the price cap changes every 3 months.
How I Can Help
There used to be a real stigma for people claiming benefits, however since COVID and with the cost of living becoming a problem, more and more working people are able to get additional help.
I am able to look at your personal circumstances to see and calculate if you are entitled to any financial top ups. I am also able to look at different allowances that could be available to you such as:
- Carers Allowance
- Child Care Allowances
- Bereavement Allowance
It’s not only benefits that I can help with, any housing issues you may be experiencing please get in touch and I’ll be more than happy to assist!
Anything discussed is always in confidence with The Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust team.
Gillian - GWT Housing & Benefits Advisor
