As autumn arrives and winter approaches, countless individuals throughout the nation may be feeling anxious about their financial stability.
The cost of living crisis has already left many struggling to cover necessary expenses such as food, utilities, rent and mortgage payments.
Now, with the energy price cap soaring, the Prime Minister has indicated that the forthcoming government budget for autumn might be ‘challenging’.
If you’re one of those worried about handling living expenses in the coming months and beyond, consider reviewing our comprehensive guide to available benefits and assistance.
We will also explore potential alterations to benefits that are planned or may be forthcoming.
What DWP benefits are issued in October?
The benefits disbursed in October will remain unchanged. They include:
- Universal Credit
- State pension
- Pension credit
- Child benefit
- Disability living allowance
- Personal independence payment
- Attendance allowance
- Carer’s allowance
- Employment support allowance
- Income support
- Jobseeker’s allowance
Additional details about these benefits can be discovered on the government’s website.
What other financial assistance is offered?
Household Support Fund (HSP)
In August, the current administration announced an extension of the Household Support Fund, initially established by the Conservatives, for an additional six months starting September 30, which was its original end date.
This means it will be in effect until March 31 of the following year.
The HSP is allocated to local councils to support those most in need with expenses related to energy, water, and food.
Local authorities have the discretion to distribute the funds as they deem fit. Some have opted to provide cash grants while others have issued supermarket vouchers or assistance with energy bills.
Check your local council’s website to discover what assistance may be accessible to you.
Budgeting advance loans
The government offers budgeting loans to individuals who have received one of the following benefits for at least six months:
- Income support
- Jobseeker’s allowance based on income
- Employment and support allowance related to income
- Pension credit
This funding can assist with costs for items like furniture or household necessities (such as washing machines), clothing, rent, relocation expenses, home improvements, funerals, and maternity expenses.
The loan is interest-free, with repayments automatically deducted from your benefits.
You may borrow up to:
- £348 if you are single
- £464 if you are part of a couple
- £812 if you have children
For further details, visit the government’s website.
Council Tax Reduction
To explore the reductions offered by your council, enter your postcode on the government’s website.
Charitable Grants
The charity Turn2us features a convenient online tool that can assist you in identifying grants for which you may qualify.
Support from Energy Providers
Get in touch with your energy supplier to inquire about the assistance they might offer.
British Gas also has a grant available for up to £2,000 for customers of any energy provider. You can apply on the British Gas Energy Trust website; as with all forms of assistance mentioned previously, certain eligibility criteria must be met.
Up to 30 Hours of Free Childcare
By September 2025, 30 hours of free childcare will be available to all working parents with children under five.
Additionally, parents might qualify for tax-free childcare, which could result in savings of up to £500 every three months (up to £2,000 annually) for each child.
This amount can increase to £1,000 every three months for a child with disabilities (up to £4,000 annually).
To verify eligibility criteria and learn how to apply, please visit the government website.
What is the energy price cap and will it increase?
The energy price cap is an upper limit determined by Ofgem, establishing the highest amount energy providers can charge for each unit of energy consumed.
This cap is intended to ensure that rates are just and correspond to the wholesale prices energy suppliers incur.
Ofgem is raising the cap by 10% this month, from £1,568 annually to £1,717, indicating that most households will experience increased bills in the upcoming months.
The cap had been reduced to £1,568 in July, a decrease of £122 from the April cap.
When is the autumn budget scheduled?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to present Labour’s inaugural budget in 14 years on October 30.
While the specifics of the announcement remain uncertain, the chancellor has previously indicated that ‘challenging choices’ must be made to ‘restore financial stability’ in the UK.
The Prime Minister, on the other hand, has remarked that the budget will be ‘painful.’
Labour has accused the Conservative party of leaving a £22 billion deficit in the UK economy.
What modifications to benefits could Labour implement?
It is anticipated that Labour will initiate several alterations to benefits, although these changes will likely be gradual over the coming years.
Any proposed modifications will require consultation periods, which may take time to finalize.
There are likely to be reductions involved, though the specifics remain uncertain.
During the Labour conference in Liverpool last month, Sir Keir mentioned there must be ‘trade-offs’ between sustaining the welfare system and aiding those in need.
For instance, the government aims to address the significant increase in individuals receiving sickness benefits since the pandemic.
Starmer conveyed on BBC Radio 4 today that individuals on long-term sickness benefits should be required to seek employment if they are capable, stating: ‘I believe the fundamental principle that one should seek work is just.
‘Certainly, there will be challenging cases… but we also seek to support so that more individuals can enter the workforce.’
Labour has plans to reform universal credit to ensure it ‘incentivizes employment and combats poverty.’
Many were hopeful that the new government would abolish the current two-child benefit cap, which prevents parents from claiming child tax credits or universal credit for a third or additional child.
However, Labour has declined to alter this regulation, which was enacted in 2015 and is reportedly leaving nearly a million children in poverty.
The party has also committed to maintaining plans to cut winter fuel allowance, which will now be subject to means-testing.
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