20 Universal Credit freebies and discounts you can claim in October worth more than £17,000 – including FREE days out

FAMILIES on Universal Credit could be missing out on thousands of pounds’ worth of extra cash – including free half-term day trips.

With the expense of Christmas looming and the cost of living continuing to soar, it’s a crucial time to make the most of help on offer.

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There are plenty of ways to keep the little ones entertained this half-term for cheap[/caption]

Many of these schemes don’t need to be paid back, yet millions are failing to claim.

Taken together, they could be worth more than £17,000 over 12 months if someone qualifies for all of them.

Here’s a breakdown of the biggest money-savers available this October, including who can get them, how much they’re worth and how to apply.

1. Free or £1 half-term days out

Keeping the kids entertained during half term can be expensive.

If you’re on Universal Credit there are free activities and adventures you can enjoy with the little ones.

• The Courtauld Gallery, Somerset House, free
  Visit the website here and select ‘Universal and Pension Credit recipients’ in the discount list.
• Foundling Museum Family Workshop, London, free
  Contact learning@foundlingmuseum.org.uk or call 020 7841 3595 and specify that you receive Universal Credit and you will receive your ‘Golden Ticket’.
• Kiln Theatre, London, free
  To claim your ticket, email freetickets@kilntheatre.com and provide valid ID, statements, or proof of benefits
• Little Angel Theatre, London, free
  Free tickets for selected shows at Little Angel Theatre. Register for the Puppets for All scheme here.
• Kew Gardens, London, £1
  Book online or purchase at the gate, you will need to provide proof of benefits.
• The Aquarium and Butterfly House at Horniman Museum and Gardens, London, £1
  There is a limited number of Universal Credit tickets available each day. Visitors can purchase up to four £1 tickets per attraction and will need proof and ID.
• The King’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace, London, £1
  You can claim six £1 tickets per household with supporting documents.
• Edinburgh Zoo, £1
  The famous zoo offers reduced-price tickets for up to six people per household for families on Universal Credit. To qualify, you must have received a payment in the last month and provide proof of eligibility.
• Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, £1
  Up to six people per household can visit for free if eligible, but must be booked in advance either online or by calling the museum.
• Eden Project, Cornwall, £1: The nature hub in Bodelva offers £1 tickets for households on Universal Credit. They can only be purchased online.

2. Household Support Fund – up to £500

Councils are offering help to struggling families for essentials such as food, white goods and energy bills.

The Household Support Fund runs until March 2026, but the government pot of cash is distributed by local authorities.

Therefore, the amount you can get and the criteria for qualifying varies.

For example, Brent Council offers up to £500 for struggling families, Doncaster pays between £100 and £300, while Ribble Valley provides £200–£500 in supermarket vouchers.

Check your local council’s website to find out what is available.

If you aren’t sure which is your local council, you can use the gov tool on its website.

3. Warm Home Discount – £150 off energy bills

Low-income households can get £150 knocked off winter electricity bills between October and March.

Most people don’t need to apply as energy suppliers automatically add the discount if the household qualifies.

You can check eligibility on the government website.

4. Cheap broadband and mobile deals – save £196 a year

Social tariffs are available for people on benefits or low income.

These are discounted rates aimed at helping people struggling to afford bills.

Virgin Media offers a £12.50-a-month package, BT Home Essentials is £15 a month, and Voxi gives unlimited data for £10 a month.

With the average broadband bill now £26.39, switching to a social tariff could save around £196 a year.

5. Free school meals – save £503.50 per child

Families on Universal Credit with a household income under £7,400 (excluding benefits) can apply for free school meals.

The saving is big – the average school lunch costs £2.65, meaning parents could save £503.50 a year per child.

In Scotland, children in primary years 1–5 get free school meals regardless of income.

You can check eligibility and apply on the government website.

6. Council tax discounts – worth up to £2,280

Households on Universal Credit with a low income could see their council tax bills cancelled out completely.

With the average B and D bill now £2,280, that’s how much families could save.

But the help you will receive depends on where you live.

Some councils, such as Manchester, will cover as much as the full bill, while others, such as Bristol, knock off up to 90%.

7. Water bill help – £483

Water suppliers offer capped rates or special discounts for households on benefits known.

For example, Affinity Water caps bills at £119.50 a year.

With the average annual bill now at £603, so switching could save almost £483.

Meanwhile, United Utilities offers 50% off for some families.

Check with your supplied to see what help is available

8. Energy grants – up to £1,500

Several suppliers hand out grants to help clear energy debt or cover bills to struggling households.

British Gas Energy Trust offers up to £1,500, even if the applicant isn’t a customer.

Apply at britishgasenergytrust.org.uk.

E.ON Next also helps with white goods and bills. Visit eonenergy.com.

You’ll usually need to show proof of income, provide meter readings, and explain your situation.

These grants don’t have to be paid back.

9. Free prescriptions, dental care and eye tests

Many on Universal Credit qualify for free prescriptions, NHS dental treatment and eye tests.

This can save nearly £10 per prescription and £25.80 for a dental check-up, with the savings quickly adding up.

You’ll qualify if:

• You’re single and earn under £435/month
• Or your household earns under £935/month and gets the child element of UC or has limited capability for work

These savings can quickly add up:

• NHS prescriptions in England cost £9.90 each
• A standard NHS dental check-up is £25.80

10. Help to Save scheme – earn £300 a year

The Government pays a 50% bonus on savings through its Help to Save account.

You can save between £1 and £50 each month, and at the end of two years, you’ll receive a bonus worth half of the highest balance you’ve saved.

You can continue saving for up to four years, earning a maximum total bonus of £1,200 if you save the full amount every month.

• Payments can be stopped and restarted without penalty
• You can withdraw money if needed, but it may reduce your bonus

Apply at gov.uk/help-to-save.

11. School uniform grants – up to £200

Several councils hand out grants to help with school uniform costs.

Grants are often paid as vouchers, bank transfers, or reimbursements.

Amounts will vary between areas, for example:

• City of London: £160 for secondary school pupils. Apply at  cityoflondon.gov.uk
• Sefton Council: £45 for primary and £70 for secondary. See  sefton.gov.uk
• Wales: The Pupil Development Grant offers £200 to eligible families. More info at gov.wales

Deadlines and application processes vary, so check with your local authority.

12. Free or discounted travel

Jobcentre Plus offers a travel discount card offers up to 50% off rail fares.

It’s available to jobseekers who have been claiming UC or JSA for at least 13 weeks (or longer depending on age).

Other discounts are available for students and young people, such as the 16–17 Saver Card, which you can apply for at 16-17saver.co.uk.

Or you could get the Student Oyster Photocard in London, which offers 30% off travelcards and bus passes in London.

13. Flexible Support Fund

This is extra cash from Jobcentres to help people back into work.

It can cover the cost of uniforms, travel to interviews or even childcare. Amounts vary depending on circumstances.

This isn’t a fixed payment and is granted based on individual need.

You might be able to get:

• Up to £150 for tools, uniforms, or work clothing
• Travel costs to interviews or training
• Short-term childcare support

For example, one claimant in Leeds received £120 to cover train tickets for job interviews.

To apply, speak directly to your work coach, who can authorise support.

14. Maternity grants – £500

Parents expecting their first baby may qualify for a one-off £500 Sure Start Maternity Grant.

It doesn’t need to be repaid and won’t affect other benefits.

You’ll get £500 if:

• It’s your first child
• You’re expecting twins or more, and already have children

Applications open from 11 weeks before the due date until 6 months after birth.

You must be on Universal Credit and not already receiving other maternity payments.

Download the SF100 form at .gov.uk and send it by post.

15. Healthy Start vouchers – worth £442 a year

Pregnant women and parents of under-fours on UC can get prepaid cards to buy healthy food and milk.

The value is £4.25 a week for pregnant women, £8.50 for babies under one, and £4.25 for children aged one to four.

In a child’s first year, this adds up to £442, and about £221 per year after that.

You’re eligible if you’re on Universal Credit with earnings below £408/month. Apply online at healthystart.nhs.uk.

16. Funeral support – up to £1,000

Families on Universal Credit arranging a funeral can claim up to £1,000 towards costs, plus extra help with burial or cremation fees.

This payment is usually made to the funeral director.

You can get up to £1,000 for:

• Flowers
• Funeral director’s fees
• Travel costs

Burial or cremation fees may also be covered separately.

Payments depend on your relationship with the deceased and other contributions (e.g. from insurance).

Claim by phone by calling the Bereavement Service helpline
0800 151 2012.

17. Legal aid

Those on UC may qualify for legal aid in cases of domestic violence, housing disputes, or immigration issues.

Eligibility depends on circumstances, but it can cover the cost of representation.

You may have to contribute towards costs depending on your income or assets. Check eligibility at www.gov.uk/check-legal-aid.

18. Childcare support – up to £1,769 a month

Working parents on UC can claim back 85% of childcare costs, worth up to £1,769 a month for two or more children.

The money is paid after you’ve submitted evidence of payment each month.

There are often delays, so it’s important to budget carefully or ask providers if they’ll accept delayed payment.

Apply through your UC account.

19. Free childcare hours – worth £7,500

Working families can claim up to 30 hours of free childcare for children aged nine months to four years old.

It saves families an average of £7,500 a year.

To be eligible:

• Both parents must be working (or one, in single-parent households)
• You must earn at least £183/week and under £100,000/year

The Government says this will save families an average of £7,500 a year.

20. Glasses and eye tests – save £233

Universal Credit claimants can get free eye tests every two years and vouchers worth up to £233 for glasses or lenses depending on prescription strength.

Some opticians apply the discount automatically if you show your UC award letter.