Universal Credit claimants and pensioners may want to check if they can get money off their travel costs with discount cards and bus passes.
Many train operators and bus companies have increased their fares so people could make some big savings through the discounts available.
People on Universal Credit or on Jobseeker’s Allowance may be able to get a JobCentre Plus Discount Card to reduce their travel costs.
To be eligible, a person has to be unemployed and claiming either of the two benefits have been receiving benefits for a number of months.
How long a person needs to have received benefits depends on their age. This is how it works:
- 18-24 year olds – claiming for three to nine months
- Over 25s – claiming for three to 12 months.
READ MORE: State pension set to increase by £700 next year – how much will you get?
People on other benefits may be able to get the discount card from three months of their claim if they are actively collaborating with a Jobcentre Plus adviser.
Those with the card can get a 50 percent discount on selected rail tickets. A person can find out which tickets they can get a discount on by checking the relevant train operator’s website.
For example, the South Western Railway website states a person with the discount card can get 50 percent off anytime day tickets, off-peak day tickets and some season tickets.
Older Britons may also be able to get money off their travel. A person aged 60 or over can purchase a Senior Railcard.
This can be bought online or at a station and can provide up to a third off rail tickets. People with the railcard save on average £83 a year on their rail travel.
People in England can also get a free bus pass when they reach state pension age, which is currently 66.
The Government website has a checker tool that can direct a person to their local council where they can apply for a bus pass, and find out if they can get one before they reach state pension age.
People on Universal Credit may also want to check if they can access other means of Government support.
Claimants may be able to get a reduced council tax bill and help towards medical costs, such as prescriptions and dental treatment.
People on some means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, are also receiving a £900 cost of living payment.
The first instalment of £301 was paid recently with the second amount of £300 to be paid in autumn 2023. The final payment of £299 will go out to eligible people in spring 2023.
Pensioners who receive the Winter Fuel Payment this coming winter will also get an additional cost of living payment of between £150 and £300.
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