While bill increases of April may have settled, new expenses have begun to arise as conflict in the Middle East hits Britain\u2019s economy.<\/a><\/p>\n The US-Iran war has severely disrupted the global oil trade, bringing knock-on effects to the price of essentials such as energy and food.<\/p>\n The situation remains uncertain as it runs on, sparking fears that the impact on households could persist throughout 2026, and possibly beyond.<\/p>\n Inflation dropped to 2.8 per cent in the year to April, down from 3.3 per cent in March. But experts warn that the welcome downturn will likely be short-lived, with some anticipating a spike to 4 per cent by the end of the year.<\/p>\n Around two-thirds (63 per cent) of Britons say they have had to cut back on the essentials to handle the rising prices, recent analysis by the Cost of Living Action group<\/a> found.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, 55 per cent of households living in poverty now contain at least one working person, according to the Resolution Foundation think tank, which revealed the scale of the issue<\/a>.<\/p>\n Against this difficult economic backdrop, households should claim all the support they are entitled to. There are now around 24 million people in the country claiming some combination of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) administered benefits, which include those drawing a state pension, representing around one in three people.<\/p>\n Get a free fractional share worth up to \u00a3100. Terms and conditions apply.<\/p>\n Go to website<\/a><\/p>\n ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Get a free fractional share worth up to \u00a3100. Terms and conditions apply.<\/p>\n Go to website<\/a><\/p>\n ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Yet research by Policy in Practice shows that \u00a324bn worth of benefits goes unclaimed every year \u2013 you can use its helpful calculator<\/a> to work out what you might be entitled to.<\/p>\n Are you struggling with the DWP or the cost of living? Share your story: albert.toth@independent.co.uk<\/p>\n Here is an overview of the financial support available to households this May and key dates for benefit and state pension recipients to look out for:<\/p>\n Benefit payment dates in June<\/p>\n Benefit payments will go out as usual in June, as there are no bank holidays to be aware of. This includes:<\/p>\n Universal credit State pension Pension creditChild benefitDisability living allowance (DLA)Personal independence payment (PIP) Attendance allowance Carer\u2019s allowance<\/p>\n For more information on how and when state benefits are paid, visit the government\u2019s website.<\/a><\/p>\n The DWP has now mostly completed the migration of all \u2018legacy benefits\u2019 to universal credit. However, in an update at the end of March<\/a>, it said employment and support allowance and housing benefit would not be closed off until \u201cthe end of the summer\u201d to allow vulnerable claimants more time to make the move.<\/p>\n Are you having issues with universal credit, PIP, or any other benefit? Get in touch via email: albert.toth@independent.co.uk<\/p>\n Pension payment dates in May<\/p>\n The basic state pension<\/a> is paid straight into bank accounts, similar to how benefits are paid. It is usually paid every four weeks, with the exact day you receive it corresponding to the last two digits of your national insurance (NI) number.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s when you should be paid based on those numbers:<\/p>\n 00 to 19: Monday 20 to 39: Tuesday 40 to 59: Wednesday 60 to 79: Thursday 80 to 99: Friday <\/p>\n When will benefit rates go up? <\/p>\n In April 2026, all universal credit claimants received an above-inflation income boost of around 6.2 per cent to the standard allowance. For a single person over 25, this is a \u00a36 per week increase, rising from \u00a392 to \u00a398.<\/p>\n For couples with one or both partners over 25, it was an increase of \u00a39 per week, rising from \u00a3145 to \u00a3154.<\/p>\n Most other benefits were uprated by September\u2019s inflation rate alone, increasing by 3.8 per cent. This included PIP, DLA, attendance allowance, carer\u2019s allowance, ESA and more.<\/p>\n However, at the same time, the weekly payment rate for the health-related element of universal credit for new claimants was cut from \u00a3105 to \u00a350. The rate for existing claimants will also be frozen until 2029.<\/p>\n This is a reduction of more than \u00a3200 a month, cutting the additional rate by around half.<\/p>\n The state pension rose by 4.8 per cent from April in line with annual earnings growth. This will bring the weekly amount to \u00a3241.05.<\/p>\n Other help available<\/p>\n Crisis and Resilience Fund<\/p>\n From April, councils have been able to administer Labour\u2019s new \u2018Crisis and Resilience Fund\u2019,<\/a> designed to support low-income households at times when affording the essentials becomes a struggle.<\/p>\n It will replace both the household support fund and discretionary housing payments.<\/p>\n Crisis payment<\/p>\n The first part of the new scheme is a \u2018crisis payment\u2019 to support low-income households that have experienced a financial shock, or are at risk of entering crisis.<\/p>\n As with the household support fund, councils will continue to have discretion over the exact eligibility criteria. However, the government\u2019s guidance says it should not be limited just to those in receipt of benefits.<\/p>\n The DWP has asked that councils take a \u2018cash-first\u2019 approach to the crisis payment, meaning cash payments should be awarded unless there is a fair reason not to do so.<\/p>\n In March, it confirmed it was giving local authorities more funding through to support those affected by rising heating oil prices.<\/p>\n Housing payment<\/p>\n A new \u2018housing payment\u2019 has also been introduced across the UK, aimed at providing financial support towards housing costs for those in need.<\/p>\n This will usually be related to rent, such as needing rent in advance, a rental deposit, or a shortfall. It could also cover a lump sum associated with housing, like the cost of moving.<\/p>\n Unlike the crisis payment, the housing payment will be restricted to those in receipt of certain benefits. These are either housing benefit or universal credit with the housing element for rental costs. However, DWP says those who do not qualify but are still in need could be considered for a crisis payment instead.<\/p>\n Budgeting advance loans<\/p>\n The government offers a \u201cbudgeting advance loan\u201d for people on universal credit who face an emergency lack of money. The loan has a maximum repayment period of two years.<\/p>\n These loans are interest-free and are automatically deducted from universal credit payments. You can borrow an \u2018advance\u2019 of up to:<\/p>\n \u00a3348 if you\u2019re single \u00a3464 if you\u2019re part of a couple \u00a3812 if you or your partner claims child benefit<\/p>\n Following Labour\u2019s 2024 Budget, a new cap was introduced on the amount the DWP can deduct from benefit payments to repay loans and debts, including budgeting advance loans.<\/p>\n Beginning in April 2025, deductions from universal credit have been capped at 15 per cent of the standard allowance, down from 25 per cent.<\/p>\n Charitable grants<\/p>\n If you are struggling financially, you may be eligible for certain charitable grants. There is a wide range of grants available depending on your circumstances.<\/p>\n However, these grants will typically require you to meet specific criteria and will only be able to offer limited funds.<\/p>\n Charitable grants are available for people who are disabled or ill, carers, bereaved, unemployed, students, and for many other reasons. The charity Turn2us has an online tool<\/a> to search for grants which may be available to some.<\/p>\n Energy provider help<\/p>\n A number of energy suppliers offer help for those struggling with their energy bills. These include British Gas, Scottish Power, EDF, E.ON, OVO and Octopus. It is worth contacting your energy provider to find out if you are eligible.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/6ede8e204820d7f1cbb034277cd6ff81Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzU1NzYwMjU0-2.79444091.jpg\")
The state pension rose by 4.8 per cent in April in line with annual earnings growth (PA)<\/p>\n![\"Trading](\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/mobile-stores\/Trading_212.svg\")
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Capital at risk.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Capital at risk.<\/p>\n![\"Some](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/01K3JSG3R7NWNM6GK9C26E3PXX.jpeg\")
Some energy suppliers offer assistance to those who aren\u2019t able to afford their bills, including Octopus and British Gas (PA)<\/p>\n