Universal Credit is supposed to simplify the benefits system — but in reality, it hides a huge number of extra entitlements that families, carers, and SEND households never get told about.

Every single week, parents tell us the same thing:
“We’ve been missing out on money we didn’t even know we could claim.”

So here’s a full breakdown of what being on Universal Credit can actually unlock — including Help to Save, disability-related payments, cost-of-living support, and additional entitlements that could make a huge difference this year.

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1. Help to Save — The Government Gives You 50% Returns

This is one of the most powerful (and least advertised) schemes in the UK.

If you receive Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit, you may qualify for Help to Save — a government savings account where they reward you with
50% of the highest balance you’ve built.

For example:

• Save £50 a month
• Your highest balance after 2 years is £1,200
• The government gives you £600 free

You don’t lose your UC by saving into it.
You can withdraw money at any time.
You get the bonus even if you spend the savings later.

It’s designed to help low-income households build stability — and it’s one of the rare schemes where the government genuinely gives free money.

Yet barely anyone uses it because hardly anyone knows it exists.

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2. Disability Additions (Even If You Don’t Claim Them Yet)

If you, your partner, or a child receives DLA, PIP, or ADP, you may receive:

• Disabled Child Element (£146–£456 per month depending on award)
• LCW / LCWRA for adults unable to work
• Carer’s Element of UC if you care for someone on DLA/PIP for 35 hours a week

This is one of the biggest top-ups UC offers — but many families miss it because they don’t mention disability awards or because the DLA/PIP decision comes later.

If someone in your household has additional needs, you must report it to UC as it can dramatically increase your entitlement.

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3. Cost-of-Living Payments (Not Just for People Out of Work)

A lot of working parents assume they “earn too much” for cost-of-living support, but many will still qualify as long as they receive UC during the assessment window.

SEND families should know this too:
You don’t need to be unemployed to get these payments — just eligible under UC rules.

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4. Free School Meals — Even For Working Families

Universal Credit automatically unlocks free school meals for children even if you work full-time.
There’s no income limit (except in Scotland where thresholds differ).

This is worth hundreds of pounds a year — and gives access to:

• Free holiday meal support
• Household vouchers
• Holiday Activities & Food programme (HAF)

Another thing many parents miss.

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5. Help With Rent, Council Tax & Utility Support

Being on UC often gives access to:

• Housing Element
• Council Tax Reduction (applied separately via your council)
• Warm Home Discount
• Priority status for energy suppliers if someone is disabled or vulnerable
• Local Welfare Assistance grants (depends on council)

If your costs are rising faster than your UC, you should ask the council to review your Council Tax Reduction — many don’t realise they can challenge the calculation.

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6. Travel, Transport & Accessibility Support

Depending on disability status within the family, UC can help support:

• Disabled person’s bus pass
• Student bursaries for travel
• Home-to-school transport (especially for SEND children)
• Blue Badges
• Discounts on train travel for certain disabilities

Families often assume they won’t qualify — but they should always check.

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7. Charities & Grants That Look for UC as Eligibility

UC unlocks access to grants from:

• Family Fund
• Turn2Us partner charities
• Utility hardship funds
• Local council emergency payments
• Health-related equipment funds

Many grants require “proof of low income” — UC satisfies that requirement.

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The Bottom Line: Universal Credit Opens More Doors Than You Think

Whether you’re a SEND family, a carer, a working parent, or someone trying to stabilise your finances, Universal Credit can unlock support that dramatically changes what your household is entitled to.

But because none of this is advertised clearly, families assume:

• “We won’t qualify.”
• “We earn too much.”
• “We’d be worse off working.”
• “This support isn’t for us.”

In reality, you might be entitled to far more than you think — including free savings bonuses and disability additions worth thousands per year.

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Need personalised guidance?

If you’re unsure what you qualify for, want help checking your situation, or need support navigating SEND or disability-related entitlements, use the contact form on AskEllie.co.uk to request details of our new 1-to-1 support service.

We’re building tools and support systems to make the benefits and SEND world easier for families — because no one should have to go through this alone.