Latest news with #gov.uk
Scottish Sun
21 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Full list of August freebies and discounts you can claim worth £1,000s if you're on PIP
You can get serious cash if you need to make changes to your home TO YOUR BENEFIT Full list of August freebies and discounts you can claim worth £1,000s if you're on PIP Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MILLIONS of people getting Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can claim extra freebies and discounts worth thousands of pounds, from council tax breaks to travel savings. If you live with a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition, you might qualify for this vital support. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 We explain the freebies and discounts you can claim if you are on the benefit Credit: Getty PIP helps with daily living or mobility costs and comes in two parts, the daily living component and the mobility component, each with two payment levels depending on how much help you need, basic (standard) and advanced (enhanced). For daily living, you could get: Standard rate : £73.90 per week : £73.90 per week Enhanced rate: £110.40 per week For mobility, you could get: Standard rate : £29.20 per week : £29.20 per week Enhanced rate: £77.05 per week You may qualify for either or both components. The maximum total weekly amount you could receive from PIP is £187.45, which is the sum of the enhanced daily living and enhanced mobility rates. But that is just the start. PIP also unlocks other money-saving perks and financial help, and it is important to claim everything you are entitled to. Here is a detailed look at what is available in August and how to apply. 1. Council tax discount: save up to £2,280 a year If you receive either the daily living or mobility component of PIP, you could be entitled to a council tax discount. Many local councils offer significant reductions or even full exemptions. The average Band D council tax in England for 2025 to 2026 is £2,280, rising from £2,171 in 2024 to 2025, according to official government statistics. If your council offers a full exemption, that is how much you could save, although your personal saving will vary depending on your local authority and which part of PIP you receive. How to apply Contact your local council directly, find yours at and provide your PIP award letter as proof. 2. Vehicle tax exemption or discount: save around £165 a year If you receive the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP, you may be entitled to a full exemption from vehicle tax, potentially saving you about £165 a year. RAC estimates that the average petrol or diesel car owner pays around this amount annually. If you receive the standard rate mobility component, you could get a 50% discount on vehicle tax, saving roughly £80 annually, depending on your vehicle's tax band. Savings will vary depending on your vehicle's tax band and whether your car is subject to additional supplements, but most people will save around these amounts. How to apply Gather your PIP award letter, vehicle log book (V5C), and completed V10 form, then send your application to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BF, or apply at your local Post Office. 3. Blue Badge parking: save around £100 a year A Blue Badge allows parking closer to entrances and lets you park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours in most places, except where loading restrictions apply. Disability charity Scope estimates that Blue Badge holders save around £100 a year on parking fees and fines by using accessible parking spaces. How to apply Contact your local council. The badge usually costs up to £10 in England and Northern Ireland, and up to £20 in Scotland. You will need to provide your PIP award letter during application. 4. Disability benefit top-ups: add up to £82.90 per week per person Claiming PIP can increase other benefits through disability premiums. The disability premium adds £43.20 per week for singles or £61.65 for couples, while the severe disability premium adds £82.90 per week per person if no one claims Carer's Allowance for looking after you, or £165.80 a week for a couple if you're both eligible. To qualify for the severe disability premium, you or your partner must receive the daily living component of PIP and either be the only adult in the household or all other adults in the household must also have a disability. Additionally, no one should be claiming Carer's Allowance for looking after you. These premiums are paid weekly on top of qualifying benefits and do not reduce your PIP or other entitlements. How to apply Contact the office managing your main benefit, show your PIP award letter, and ask to apply for the premium top-up. 5. Working Tax Credit backpayments: claim lump sums worth hundreds of pounds If you made a claim for PIP before 5 April 2025 and your claim is still ongoing, you may be eligible for a backdated lump sum payment for Working Tax Credits you missed while waiting for a decision. This is because the Working Tax Credit scheme ended for everyone on 5 April 2025, but HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) allows claimants with ongoing PIP claims from before this date to report their successful claim and receive a lump sum for the tax credits they would have been paid during the waiting period. The amount of the backpayment varies based on your previous Working Tax Credit entitlement and how long you waited for your PIP decision, but these payments typically amount to hundreds of pounds. You should notify HMRC as soon as possible if you have not already done so. If your claim is still undecided but was submitted before 5 April 2025, this is something you will need to do when it is decided. However, if your claim was decided within the last month, you need to notify HMRC immediately to qualify for backdated payments. How to apply To claim your backpayment, contact HMRC by phone at 0345 300 3900. If you have difficulty hearing or speaking on the phone, you can use Relay UK by dialling 18001 before the number. The helpline operates Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. 6. Motability Scheme: lease a vehicle with tax, insurance and servicing included: saving around £1,230 a year If you receive the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP and have at least 12 months left on your award, you can lease a vehicle through the Motability Scheme. The scheme covers vehicle tax, insurance, servicing and breakdown cover. These costs total £1,202 a year, based on RAC's estimate of average vehicle tax for typical petrol and diesel cars (£165), data on average comprehensive car insurance costs (£757) and Checkatrade's average annual servicing and maintenance expenses (£280). How to apply Visit or call 0300 456 4566 to request an information pack. 7. Disabled Person's Railcard: save £126 a year on train travel The Disabled Persons Railcard offers a third off most rail fares in Britain, saving regular users around £126 annually, based on figures published on its website. The card costs £20 per year for adults or £14.50 for young persons aged five to 15. How to apply You can apply online via the Rail Delivery Group website or pick up a form at most train stations. 8. Free or discounted bus travel: save hundreds per year Local councils offer free or discounted bus passes for people receiving PIP, especially those on the mobility component. Savings depend on local bus fares and travel frequency but can amount to hundreds of pounds annually, according to various council websites. For instance, Leeds City Council estimates that disabled residents can save around £150 a year on bus travel with a free bus pass. Meanwhile, Glasgow City Council highlights that eligible residents save approximately £200 annually through free or discounted bus travel schemes. How to apply Apply via your local council; in Scotland, apply for a National Entitlement Card. Other support for PIP claimants Beyond the main freebies and discounts, there are additional forms of financial help and protection available for PIP recipients. Here are the key ones: Carer's Allowance and Carer's Element If someone looks after you for at least 35 hours a week and earns below the threshold, they may be eligible to claim Carer's Allowance or the Carer's Element of Universal Credit. This can provide extra weekly income to carers supporting PIP claimants. Benefit Cap exemption Normally, there is a limit on the total amount of certain benefits a household can receive, known as the Benefit Cap. However, if you, your partner or your child gets PIP, your household is exempt from this cap, meaning you won't have your benefits reduced due to this limit. Non-dependant deductions If you get the daily living component of PIP, non-dependants (such as adult children or other adults living with you) do not reduce your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing element. This means you won't lose out on housing support because of other adults in your household. Check your entitlements To ensure you are claiming all the support available to you, use the Turn2us PIP Helper online tool. This free resource helps you identify additional benefits and support you may be entitled to based on your personal circumstances. Visit to learn more. 9. Water bill support: save £150 a year The WaterSure scheme helps households with high water usage due to medical needs by capping their annual water bills. This scheme is available across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but is not currently offered in Scotland. To qualify, at least one person in the household must be receiving certain qualifying benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and have a medical condition that requires extra water, such as kidney disease or using a dialysis machine. Water UK estimates average savings of around £150 a year under WaterSure, but the actual amount depends on your household's water usage and your supplier's charges. Many water suppliers also offer priority services registers for vulnerable customers, which can include bill assistance, priority in emergencies, and other support. How to apply Contact your water supplier directly to ask about WaterSure and whether you qualify for the scheme or their priority services. You may need to provide proof of your medical condition and benefits status, such as your PIP award letter. 10. Disabled Facilities Grant: get up to £36,000 for home adaptations The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) helps eligible people with disabilities pay for vital home adaptations to improve accessibility and safety. This can include installing ramps, stairlifts, accessible bathrooms, widening doorways, or upgrading heating systems to meet specific needs. Grants can cover up to £30,000 in England, £36,000 in Wales, and £25,000 in Northern Ireland. Eligibility and grant amounts may depend on household income and savings, as some areas apply means-testing. In Scotland, similar support is provided through local health and social care services, as DFGs are not available there. How to apply Contact your local council's housing or social services department to start the application. An occupational therapist usually assesses your needs and specifies necessary adaptations. Councils must decide on grant applications within six months. Be aware there might be some costs or responsibilities you need to cover, so discuss all details with your council. 11. Free NHS prescriptions: save up to £114.50 a year PIP itself does not entitle you to free prescriptions automatically, but if your illness or disability qualifies, you can apply for a medical exemption certificate. The average cost of an individual NHS prescription item is £9.35, but many people buy a prescription pre-payment certificate, which caps costs at £114.50 per year. If you qualify for free prescriptions through a medical exemption, you pay nothing at all – representing a saving of up to £114.50 annually compared to paying per item or buying a pre-payment certificate. How to apply Ask your GP for an FP92A form.
The Sun
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Full list of August freebies and discounts you can claim worth £1,000s if you're on PIP
MILLIONS of people getting Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can claim extra freebies and discounts worth thousands of pounds, from council tax breaks to travel savings. If you live with a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition, you might qualify for this vital support. 1 PIP helps with daily living or mobility costs and comes in two parts, the daily living component and the mobility component, each with two payment levels depending on how much help you need, basic (standard) and advanced (enhanced). For daily living, you could get: Standard rate: £73.90 per week Enhanced rate: £110.40 per week For mobility, you could get: Standard rate: £29.20 per week Enhanced rate: £77.05 per week You may qualify for either or both components. The maximum total weekly amount you could receive from PIP is £187.45, which is the sum of the enhanced daily living and enhanced mobility rates. But that is just the start. PIP also unlocks other money-saving perks and financial help, and it is important to claim everything you are entitled to. Here is a detailed look at what is available in August and how to apply. 1. Council tax discount: save up to £2,280 a year If you receive either the daily living or mobility component of PIP, you could be entitled to a council tax discount. Many local councils offer significant reductions or even full exemptions. The average Band D council tax in England for 2025 to 2026 is £2,280, rising from £2,171 in 2024 to 2025, according to official government statistics. If your council offers a full exemption, that is how much you could save, although your personal saving will vary depending on your local authority and which part of PIP you receive. How to apply Contact your local council directly, find yours at and provide your PIP award letter as proof. 2. Vehicle tax exemption or discount: save around £165 a year If you receive the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP, you may be entitled to a full exemption from vehicle tax, potentially saving you about £165 a year. RAC estimates that the average petrol or diesel car owner pays around this amount annually. If you receive the standard rate mobility component, you could get a 50% discount on vehicle tax, saving roughly £80 annually, depending on your vehicle's tax band. Savings will vary depending on your vehicle's tax band and whether your car is subject to additional supplements, but most people will save around these amounts. How to apply Gather your PIP award letter, vehicle log book (V5C), and completed V10 form, then send your application to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BF, or apply at your local Post Office. 3. Blue Badge parking: save around £100 a year A Blue Badge allows parking closer to entrances and lets you park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours in most places, except where loading restrictions apply. Disability charity Scope estimates that Blue Badge holders save around £100 a year on parking fees and fines by using accessible parking spaces. How to apply Contact your local council. The badge usually costs up to £10 in England and Northern Ireland, and up to £20 in Scotland. You will need to provide your PIP award letter during application. 4. Disability benefit top-ups: add up to £82.90 per week per person Claiming PIP can increase other benefits through disability premiums. The disability premium adds £43.20 per week for singles or £61.65 for couples, while the severe disability premium adds £82.90 per week per person if no one claims Carer's Allowance for looking after you, or £165.80 a week for a couple if you're both eligible. To qualify for the severe disability premium, you or your partner must receive the daily living component of PIP and either be the only adult in the household or all other adults in the household must also have a disability. Additionally, no one should be claiming Carer's Allowance for looking after you. These premiums are paid weekly on top of qualifying benefits and do not reduce your PIP or other entitlements. How to apply Contact the office managing your main benefit, show your PIP award letter, and ask to apply for the premium top-up. 5. Working Tax Credit backpayments: claim lump sums worth hundreds of pounds If you made a claim for PIP before 5 April 2025 and your claim is still ongoing, you may be eligible for a backdated lump sum payment for Working Tax Credits you missed while waiting for a decision. This is because the Working Tax Credit scheme ended for everyone on 5 April 2025, but HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) allows claimants with ongoing PIP claims from before this date to report their successful claim and receive a lump sum for the tax credits they would have been paid during the waiting period. The amount of the backpayment varies based on your previous Working Tax Credit entitlement and how long you waited for your PIP decision, but these payments typically amount to hundreds of pounds. You should notify HMRC as soon as possible if you have not already done so. If your claim is still undecided but was submitted before 5 April 2025, this is something you will need to do when it is decided. However, if your claim was decided within the last month, you need to notify HMRC immediately to qualify for backdated payments. How to apply To claim your backpayment, contact HMRC by phone at 0345 300 3900. If you have difficulty hearing or speaking on the phone, you can use Relay UK by dialling 18001 before the number. The helpline operates Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. 6. Motability Scheme: lease a vehicle with tax, insurance and servicing included: saving around £1,230 a year If you receive the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP and have at least 12 months left on your award, you can lease a vehicle through the Motability Scheme. The scheme covers vehicle tax, insurance, servicing and breakdown cover. These costs total £1,202 a year, based on RAC's estimate of average vehicle tax for typical petrol and diesel cars (£165), data on average comprehensive car insurance costs (£757) and Checkatrade's average annual servicing and maintenance expenses (£280). How to apply Visit or call 0300 456 4566 to request an information pack. 7. Disabled Person's Railcard: save £126 a year on train travel The Disabled Persons Railcard offers a third off most rail fares in Britain, saving regular users around £126 annually, based on figures published on its website. The card costs £20 per year for adults or £14.50 for young persons aged five to 15. How to apply You can apply online via the Rail Delivery Group website or pick up a form at most train stations. 8. Free or discounted bus travel: save hundreds per year Local councils offer free or discounted bus passes for people receiving PIP, especially those on the mobility component. Savings depend on local bus fares and travel frequency but can amount to hundreds of pounds annually, according to various council websites. For instance, Leeds City Council estimates that disabled residents can save around £150 a year on bus travel with a free bus pass. Meanwhile, Glasgow City Council highlights that eligible residents save approximately £200 annually through free or discounted bus travel schemes. How to apply Apply via your local council; in Scotland, apply for a National Entitlement Card. Other support for PIP claimants Beyond the main freebies and discounts, there are additional forms of financial help and protection available for PIP recipients. Here are the key ones: Carer's Allowance and Carer's Element If someone looks after you for at least 35 hours a week and earns below the threshold, they may be eligible to claim Carer's Allowance or the Carer's Element of Universal Credit. This can provide extra weekly income to carers supporting PIP claimants. Benefit Cap exemption Normally, there is a limit on the total amount of certain benefits a household can receive, known as the Benefit Cap. However, if you, your partner or your child gets PIP, your household is exempt from this cap, meaning you won't have your benefits reduced due to this limit. Non-dependant deductions If you get the daily living component of PIP, non-dependants (such as adult children or other adults living with you) do not reduce your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing element. This means you won't lose out on housing support because of other adults in your household. Check your entitlements To ensure you are claiming all the support available to you, use the Turn2us PIP Helper online tool. This free resource helps you identify additional benefits and support you may be entitled to based on your personal circumstances. Visit to learn more. 9. Water bill support: save £150 a year The WaterSure scheme helps households with high water usage due to medical needs by capping their annual water bills. This scheme is available across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, but is not currently offered in Scotland. To qualify, at least one person in the household must be receiving certain qualifying benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and have a medical condition that requires extra water, such as kidney disease or using a dialysis machine. Water UK estimates average savings of around £150 a year under WaterSure, but the actual amount depends on your household's water usage and your supplier's charges. Many water suppliers also offer priority services registers for vulnerable customers, which can include bill assistance, priority in emergencies, and other support. How to apply Contact your water supplier directly to ask about WaterSure and whether you qualify for the scheme or their priority services. You may need to provide proof of your medical condition and benefits status, such as your PIP award letter. 10. Disabled Facilities Grant: get up to £36,000 for home adaptations The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) helps eligible people with disabilities pay for vital home adaptations to improve accessibility and safety. This can include installing ramps, stairlifts, accessible bathrooms, widening doorways, or upgrading heating systems to meet specific needs. Grants can cover up to £30,000 in England, £36,000 in Wales, and £25,000 in Northern Ireland. Eligibility and grant amounts may depend on household income and savings, as some areas apply means-testing. In Scotland, similar support is provided through local health and social care services, as DFGs are not available there. How to apply Contact your local council's housing or social services department to start the application. An occupational therapist usually assesses your needs and specifies necessary adaptations. Councils must decide on grant applications within six months. Be aware there might be some costs or responsibilities you need to cover, so discuss all details with your council. 11. Free NHS prescriptions: save up to £114.50 a year PIP itself does not entitle you to free prescriptions automatically, but if your illness or disability qualifies, you can apply for a medical exemption certificate. The average cost of an individual NHS prescription item is £9.35, but many people buy a prescription pre-payment certificate, which caps costs at £114.50 per year. If you qualify for free prescriptions through a medical exemption, you pay nothing at all – representing a saving of up to £114.50 annually compared to paying per item or buying a pre-payment certificate.
Rhyl Journal
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Rhyl Journal
DVLA £1,000 fine warning to all UK drivers aged over 70
The Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has advised older drivers of the different renewal rules they face once they hit 70. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, earlier this year the DVLA issued an important reminder to over 70s about renewing their licence. They said: "Are you 70 or over and due to renew your driving licence? Do it for free! Grab a cuppa and renew today at "It's easy, quick and secure on Previously, they had warned older drivers: 'You need to renew your licence every 3 years after you turn 70. Do it online now it's easy, quick and secure." Are you 70 or over and due to renew your driving licence? Do it for free! Grab a cuppa and renew today at It's easy, quick and secure on ☕#DVLADigital The photocard displays a photograph of the driver, as well as personal information such as their name, address and date of birth. It is valid for ten years and must be renewed with an updated photograph to ensure it remains a realistic likeness. However, once you hit 70 it is mandatory to renew your licence every three years. You will be allowed to continue driving while your licence is being renewed under certain conditions. You must meet the medical standards of fitness to drive, your application must be less than a year old, your previous licence must have been valid, and you must adhere to the conditions of your old licence. Failing to return an expired licence to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and can be punished with a fine of up to £1,000. The DVLA advises people to renew on its official website as it is the quickest and cheapest method. Applications cost £14 and are usually processed within five days. Third party websites charge additional fees. Postal renewals cost £17, while doing it at a Post Office has a £21.50 fee. A DVLA spokeswoman said: 'We encourage customers to use as applying online is the quickest and cheapest way to renew their photocard driving licence. 'If you stop driving altogether, you should inform DVLA and return your licence rather keeping it as a form of out-of-date photo ID.'
Leader Live
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Leader Live
DVLA £1,000 fine warning to all UK drivers aged over 70
The Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has advised older drivers of the different renewal rules they face once they hit 70. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, earlier this year the DVLA issued an important reminder to over 70s about renewing their licence. They said: "Are you 70 or over and due to renew your driving licence? Do it for free! Grab a cuppa and renew today at "It's easy, quick and secure on Previously, they had warned older drivers: 'You need to renew your licence every 3 years after you turn 70. Do it online now it's easy, quick and secure." Are you 70 or over and due to renew your driving licence? Do it for free! Grab a cuppa and renew today at It's easy, quick and secure on ☕#DVLADigital The photocard displays a photograph of the driver, as well as personal information such as their name, address and date of birth. It is valid for ten years and must be renewed with an updated photograph to ensure it remains a realistic likeness. However, once you hit 70 it is mandatory to renew your licence every three years. You will be allowed to continue driving while your licence is being renewed under certain conditions. You must meet the medical standards of fitness to drive, your application must be less than a year old, your previous licence must have been valid, and you must adhere to the conditions of your old licence. Failing to return an expired licence to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and can be punished with a fine of up to £1,000. The DVLA advises people to renew on its official website as it is the quickest and cheapest method. Applications cost £14 and are usually processed within five days. Third party websites charge additional fees. Postal renewals cost £17, while doing it at a Post Office has a £21.50 fee. A DVLA spokeswoman said: 'We encourage customers to use as applying online is the quickest and cheapest way to renew their photocard driving licence. 'If you stop driving altogether, you should inform DVLA and return your licence rather keeping it as a form of out-of-date photo ID.'
North Wales Chronicle
6 days ago
- Automotive
- North Wales Chronicle
DVLA £1,000 fine warning to all UK drivers aged over 70
The Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has advised older drivers of the different renewal rules they face once they hit 70. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, earlier this year the DVLA issued an important reminder to over 70s about renewing their licence. They said: "Are you 70 or over and due to renew your driving licence? Do it for free! Grab a cuppa and renew today at "It's easy, quick and secure on Previously, they had warned older drivers: 'You need to renew your licence every 3 years after you turn 70. Do it online now it's easy, quick and secure." Are you 70 or over and due to renew your driving licence? Do it for free! Grab a cuppa and renew today at It's easy, quick and secure on ☕#DVLADigital The photocard displays a photograph of the driver, as well as personal information such as their name, address and date of birth. It is valid for ten years and must be renewed with an updated photograph to ensure it remains a realistic likeness. However, once you hit 70 it is mandatory to renew your licence every three years. You will be allowed to continue driving while your licence is being renewed under certain conditions. You must meet the medical standards of fitness to drive, your application must be less than a year old, your previous licence must have been valid, and you must adhere to the conditions of your old licence. Failing to return an expired licence to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is an offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 and can be punished with a fine of up to £1,000. The DVLA advises people to renew on its official website as it is the quickest and cheapest method. Applications cost £14 and are usually processed within five days. Third party websites charge additional fees. Postal renewals cost £17, while doing it at a Post Office has a £21.50 fee. A DVLA spokeswoman said: 'We encourage customers to use as applying online is the quickest and cheapest way to renew their photocard driving licence. 'If you stop driving altogether, you should inform DVLA and return your licence rather keeping it as a form of out-of-date photo ID.'
