HOUSEHOLDS are being urged to check if they could get £750 in grants and supports ahead of the Budget.
Millions of families are battling rising prices and bracing for a further hit on their money when Chancellor Rachel Reeves takes to the ballot box in two weeks.
But you could already be losing out on hundreds of pounds in FREE cash and vouchers that you may not realise you’re entitled to.
Financial support website Lightning Reach says billions of pounds in grants, benefits and vouchers is going unclaimed every year as many families don’t realise they could get support.
The portal, which matches people in the UK to over 2,500 support schemes including energy bill help and supermarket vouchers, says the average person that uses Lightning Reach gets £750.
The money can land in your bank account in just DAYS, it adds, meaning you could get a huge boost in time for Christmas.
OVO, TSB, Royal British Legion and several charities, councils and housing associations are currently signed up to the platform, with eligible households matched to their grants, vouchers and benefits once they sign up.
The company says it is trying to slash the red tape that exists for the millions of families trying to access vital benefits and services.
Lightning Reach Founder CEO Ren Yi Hooi, said: “With the upcoming Budget expected to tighten household finances even further through new tax increases, the need for rapid and joined-up support is greater than ever.
“Too many people were facing impossible choices, between heating or eating, debt or dignity and I wanted to build something that could change that.
“That mission is more urgent than ever today, as the cost-of-living crisis deepens and household energy debt has soared to a record £4.4 billion.
“So far, we’ve facilitated £20m in total support, £7.5 million of which is direct energy support, providing urgent relief to thousands of households.
“Yet every year, billions in vital help still go unclaimed because the system is too complex and fragmented.”
She added that Lightning Reach is calling on the Government to make financial support easier and simpler for families to access.
The service is free to sign up to, and you can check your eligibility for hundreds of grants, energy vouchers and emergency payments in minutes at www.lightningreach.org/application-portal.
Since launching in 2021, the site has connected over 200,000 people to more than £20million in financial support.
This includes more than £7.5million in help with energy bills.
It comes as millions are bracing for a 2p hike to income tax set to be announced at the Budget on November 26.
This will reportedly be offset by a 2p chop to National Insurance – but pensioners and landlords would still be hit.
There are also rumours that the Chancellor will target salary sacrifice schemes, which would hit those saving for their pension.
Employers offer these schemes to lower your salary in return for paying the difference into your pension.
As a result, you and your employer pay less National Insurance as your salary is lower.
It’s believed Reeves could put a cap on the amount workers can save in the schemes before they pay National Insurance.
What support with energy bills could I get?
Energy bills are on the rise, with typical households paying £1,755 a year for their gas and electricity.
But there are ways you can get help and support if you’re struggling with your energy bills.
The Warm Home Discount, given by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is worth £150.
You don’t get the money paid into your account. Instead, your supplier deducts the amount from your bill.
To get the support, you need to be on a low income or receiving certain benefits, such as Universal Credit.
If you are of state pension age (66), you can get a £300 cash boost to put towards your energy bill as part of the Winter Fuel Payment.
The cash is set to land in accounts from this month, but many will also receive the money in December.
Anyone who was born before September 22, 1959 and lives in England or Wales is eligible.
Cold Weather Payments were set up by DWP to help with energy costs.
Temperatures must hit zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days for the support to be paid.
To be eligible, you must be claiming certain benefits like Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest.
If you meet the requirements, you will receive £25 for each seven-day period of chilly weather.
You can also get up to £2,000 in debt relief from the British Gas Energy Trust.
The fund is for existing British Gas customers facing energy debt or at risk of fuel poverty.
You will need to have an energy debt between £50 and £2,000 on a prepayment meter, or £250 to £2,000 on a credit account, to have a chance of getting the support.
