Universal Credit

A study of 2,000 adults found 26 per cent of these have received financial help with presents

4 in 10 households have relied on generosity to get through Christmas

Rachel Reeves poses with the red Budget Box as she leaves 11 Downing Street to present the government's annual Autumn budget to Parliament (Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

UK families to get free cash as Household Support Fund is extended

(Photos: Getty Images/SWNS)

'I'm scared' - pensioner warns of 'dire' winter as energy costs rise

The free school breakfast clubs will build on support for families already available, the Department for Education says

When Labour's free school breakfasts will start - what we know so far

Department for Work and Pensions figures show 271 households receiving Universal Credit in Wigan had their income cut off by the policy in May

Huge rise in families hit by benefit cap

(Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

Thousands of households to receive £500 summer holidays payment

The money will people most in need

Families to get £200 via Household Support Fund - but funds are low

Universal Credit was introduced in 2013 to replace several existing benefits

Hundreds lose benefits during Universal Credit switch

Martin Ingram Flowers (60) who broke his leg at work and was told by the DWP to quit his £40k a year job in order to claim benefits.

Watch: DWP told me to quit my job to claim benefits when I broke leg

DWP holiday warning to anyone claiming PIP or Universal Credit

Data from the Department of Housing, Levelling Up and Communities shows 94 households living in supported asylum accommodation in Wigan had received support from the council for being homeless – known as homelessness duties – in the last quarter of 2023.

Almost 100 refugee households facing homelessness locally

What you need to know about the new Universal Credit rules

Benefit fraud gang shower floor with £20 notes

Watch: Benefit fraud gang shower floor with £20 notes

The leap year may impact when people will receive Universal Credit payments

How the 2024 leap year could affect Universal Credit payments

Makerfield MP Yvonne Fovargue

Yvonne Fovargue MP: We must reduce child poverty

New estimates from the Department for Education suggest parents in Wigan were paying £4.72 an hour in 2023 to have their two-year-olds looked after – less than the England average of £6.07.

Revealed: The cost of childcare
New figures show the hourly cost of childcare for parents in Wigan.
Will Grimond

Dozens of celebrities join petition with anti-poverty charities

Find out if you are eligble for Cold Weather Payments.

Who is eligible for Cold Weather Payments?

Universal Credit and other benefit payments will be paid earlier than expected during the Christmas period.

When will Universal Credit be paid during Christmas period

People walk near the Jobcentre in Westminster.

DWP warning over Universal Credit changes coming in October

Project director Warren Done, former Leigh MP Jo Platt, and volunteer Paul Blinkhorn at the stall

Foodbank holds stall to promote new campaign focusing on guranteeing essentials

Atherton and Leigh Foodbank is holding a stall outside St John Baptist's Parish Church to provide more information about the Guarantee our Essentials campaign.

Foodbank joins campaign to ensure everyone can access essential items

There are seven big money changes that could affect your wallet coming in September 2023 including Universal Credit and student loans shake-ups.

Cost of living: 7 money changes to be aware of in September 2023

Makerfield MP Yvonne Fovargue

Yvonne Fovargue MP: No magic wand when it comes to debt

Which? has revealed the cheapest place to get school uniform this year

Cheapest shop to buy school uniform revealed by Which?

Benefit claimants may find their payments arrive earlier than normal this month.

Universal Credit & benefit claimants hit by another payment change

Here are eight important money changes coming in August 2023.

8 money changes coming in August 2023 including Ofgem price cap
There are plenty of money changes coming in August - here are the key shake-ups to be aware of including the Ofgem price cap announcement, Universal Credit migration and booze price hike.
Sophie Wills

Thousands of Universal Credit claimants are to be affected by new rules that have been introduced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) this week.

Universal Credit rule change launches this week - are you affected?

Michelle Hanney pictured riding a horse. (DWP/SWNS)

‘Disabled’ woman on benefits caught after horse riding photo found

If you claim benefits, including Universal Credit, you may find you get paid early next month due to the August bank holiday.

Full list of benefits that could be paid early next month

Universal Credit claimants will no doubt want to be aware of the rules for going abroad if they’re going on holiday this summer.

DWP explains rules around Universal Credit and going on holiday

Department for Work and Pensions figures show around 44,200 households in Wigan are eligible to receive up to £900 in cost-of-living payments.

Tens of thousands of Wigan households to receive support payment

Universal Credit and other benefit claimants are set to be hit by another payment shake-up this week.

Benefit claimants will be hit by another payment shake-up this week

Universal Credit and other benefit claimants are set to be hit by another payment shake-up this week. If you’re claiming benefits, you may find your payments arrive earlier than normal.

Universal Credit and benefit claimants have payment change coming up

Universal Credit and other benefit claimants are set to be hit by another payment shake-up this week. If you’re claiming benefits, you may find your payments arrive earlier than normal.

Universal Credit and benefit claimants hit by another payment change

A Universal Credit sign in the window of the Job Centre in Westminster.

Thousands could miss out on £301 cost of living payment - here’s why

Can benefits or universal credit debt be waived by DWP? Tribunal forces government to release appeal criteria

How to appeal DWP benefits debt repayments - criteria considered

Benefits payments earlier in April due to the May bank holiday (Photo: Adobe)

Thousands will receive benefits early this week- what you need to know

Taz Aldeek was rejected from nearly 100 jobs and had to spend 18 months on benefits before he finally secured his dream job as a barrister.

Man who spent months on benefits lands dream job as a barrister

Food insecurity is when people do not have consistent access to enough food that is varied, culturally appropriate, and can sustain an active and healthy lifestyle.

A third of Wigan residents suffer from food insecurity

The first instalment of the £900 cost of living payments is set to land in bank accounts today. The £301 cash boost from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HMRC will be paid to those who are eligible over the next few weeks from Tuesday, April 25.

Cost of living payment to land in bank accounts from today

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, many households are struggling financially

Cost of living payments will start to land in bank accounts next week

Millions of people on benefits are set to get a cash boost as payments rise in line with inflation rates - full list of what will increase and how much you’ll get.

Benefit payments set to increase for millions - full list

Easter is fast approaching and while many will welcome the bank holiday break, it can affect benefit payment dates - so be sure to check if you’re affected.

Easter 2023 benefit payment dates for Universal Credit and more

Only Fans star Amber O’Donnel at Tesco after shopping for her food parcel donations - Credit: SWNS

Mum uses first OnlyFans paycheque to fill a foodbank

Cost of Living spring payments are set to be rolled out over the next month or so - Credit: Adobe

10 ways to claim extra money for households on Universal Credit

Some 7,074 people receiving Universal Credit in Wigan were deemed to be 'looking for work' as of November – 570 (8.1 per cent) of whom had been sanctioned

More than one in 20 Universal Credit claimants sanctioned in Wigan

RHS Harlow Carr

RHS offer £1 entry to its gardens for low income households

The figures show people renting from private landlords who are eligible for housing benefits in Wigan will receive £263 per month from the local housing allowance this year.

Housing benefit tenants forced to find extra £105 per month to meet rising rents

'The new deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, Lee Anderson is wrong to believe that charities supporting asylum seekers in Calais are involved in a multimillion-pound industry'. PIC: UK Parliament/PA Wire

Lee Anderson: ‘myth’ those on Universal credit are in poverty

A child carries a tray with food during lunch-break at St Mary’s RC Primary School, in Battersea, south London.

Number of children in food poverty nearly doubles to four million

The government could tell GPs to issue less sick notes in order to boost the economy.

Government could tell GPs to sign fewer sick notes to boost economy

The first £301 instalment of the money, which is intended to help vulnerable people pay their energy and grocery bills as inflation hits a 40-year high, is due to hit bank accounts this spring.

1.7 million people set to miss out on £301 cost of living payment

The rules for Universal Credit are due to change in February.

Six major money changes coming in February

People who claim Universal Credit should be aware of what changes in circumstances they need to report to the DWP

The 21 changes benefit claimants must report to DWP to avoid court

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