Do you claim Universal Credit, income support or other benefits? Debt support is available

Universal Credit, pension credit and other income based benefits can utilise third party deductions if claimants are struggling with their bills. These deductions can also be made from certain legacy benefits including income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance and income support.

For other state benefits, deductions will be made each time they’re paid, with £3.70 being deducted from each separate benefit being claimed to cover the debts owed.

Additionally, extra amounts will be deducted to cover bills each month.

The specific amounts are decided by Jobcentre Plus but if it ends up being more than 25 percent of the claimant’s benefits, they’ll be asked to agree to the deduction.

So long as it’s under 25 percent, the deductions can be made without the claimant’s agreement.

Benefit claimants may also be able to receive support for their fuel bills through schemes such as winter fuel payments, cold weather payments and the warm home discount.

Universal Credit claimants will get payments which are tailored to their specific circumstances.

This means payment amounts will vary from person to person as the government will provide extra amounts for elements such as disabilities or childcare costs.

Additionally, Universal Credit claimants may also be able to apply for other forms of support if they’re struggling financially, which can include advance and hardship payments, alternative payment arrangements or budgeting advances.