Free stuff if on UC or PIP or money saving advice?

[StrengthPleaseToday]

I may get flamed here but it's worth it as I think some here may have some good advice.

I've always worked until recently. My husband is disabled and has a number of chronic health conditions but never previously claimed benefits as I was supporting the family. I had managed remote work around caring for him until earlier this year. His health has deteriorated to where I need to be a full time carer, and we have now run out of savings. It will take a lot of treatment before he is well enough for me to take on any more work around his care.

We're now making claims for UC and PIP.

We also have small children aged 4 and 6. We live in London.

Does anyone have any tips or suggestions about either stuff you may get for cheap or free if on UC or PIP, especially anything for families?

I want to keep life for the children as nice as possible while we get through this.

Also with Christmas coming up I'm also interested in any money saving advice or suggestions about either Christmas events or where to buy gifts (ideally online) that are cheap or discounted for people on UC or PIP.

Thanks in advance!

There should be social tariffs for your phone/broadband.

Money Saving Expert forum boards may have other helpful advice/where to find bargains.

It’s not an unpleasant comment at all. I was genuinely puzzled. But I think OP meant discounted services rather than free stuff , so that makes more sense.

Im not too impressed with your comment either

Thanks. I'm a bit worried tbh about how our finances will look especially to start with, and with Christmas on the horizon, so trying to combat what by getting some ideas.

I'm on UC get free kids meals but we have to pay for school trips ones just come up weekend away 330 lol My son has gone Telford today 15.00 lol

I mean anything useful to think about really

Local FB groups (in my experience anyway) also often have people putting things up they want to get rid of, free or very cheap, you might find something you're in need of there.

My comment wasnt against people on UC etc. Used to work for UC so I’m definitely not a benefit basher! I just took OPs question as one about receiving free goods

You can go to many exhibitions at museums and galleries for a reduced price. My friend does it when we go out with the kids. She often has to book a slot though, you can't just turn up. She provides proof of receipt on her phone (they often don't ask though). She pays something like £3 to my £15.

Thanks, I'll look into the access card. He can't go to lots of places and also would need adjustments at others, and will need me with him.

My DD has an Access Card with the +1 symbol which gets us a free or discounted carer's ticket in lots of different places. She also has a CEA card for a free carer's ticket at the cinema. If your husband qualifies for a Blue Badge then parking is often free. I claim carer's allowance too because I'm not currently working.

I'm wondering if you have had an adult social care assessment for your husband? Would it be better for your finances if he had paid carers rather than you having to give up work?

@UnbeatenMum I will look into those things and find out about adult social care. I think it would be difficult for my husband to have carers other than me for a variety of reasons, but it would be good to see what is available as yes we would be much better off if I was working at least a bit.

If he travels on the train regularly, he can get a disabled persons railcard once he gets pip. A person (anyone, doesn't need to be their registered carer) travelling with the disabled person can get the 1/3 discount on train tickets when they travel with the disabled person

Because if you are disabled enough to get PIP, life is much more difficult and expensive and if you're poor enough to get UC, you need a helping hand.

I get a free Freedom pass (OP contact your local council). I also get a small council tax discount. I also have a disabled person's rail card. You may also get free prescriptions on UC.

You’ve misunderstood my comment. I didn’t say why SHOULD people get free stuff.

Tell your broadband supplier you are on UC and ask is they have a social tariff, Virgin costs £12.50 per month.

If you have a smartphone or tablet download Olio and Good to Go, they are food waste prevention apps. They are not intended to replace food banks and you sometimes have to collect late at night. You might get a decent selection of free or reduced food in your area or you might not, its pot luck.

I get PIP. Some options are a CEA card (small fee and free cinema ticket if you go with your husband. Disabled rail card (1/3 off journeys for you and your husband and can be used at all times).

Lots of London theatres do discounted tickets (they seem to have different schemes but often you can buy one at a reduced price and get one as an essential companion for free)

in terms of UC I think there is a ‘social tariff’
for broadband from BT but I don’t get UC so have never looked. Also some water providers do lower tariffs if your husbands conditions mean he uses more water than the average user

Kew Gdns £1 entry tickets for UC

The good thing about London is that there are lots of free attractions - most of the national museums and art galleries are free, there are the Xmas lights, free carol concerts and if you book early shows local pantos are also often discounted. Tfl also offers a discount for those on UC.

Ah sorry. The reason I misunderstood is because the “Would just get’ and the “?!”give your comment an accusatory or sarcastic tone.

If your pip claim is successful it can lead to entitlement to other support
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/before-claiming/extra-help-pip-entitles-you-to/
I would also just research free or cheap activities in your area - many museums are free - local libraries often put on free activities
Go on your local council website and look at help for families and the household support fund
Some theatres and leisure facilities eg swimming pools offer discount for disabled or very low income

Your prerogative. A single-sentence post doesn't provide much context on the poster's reasons for posting, and given its wording plus the punctuation you can't exactly blame people for thinking it came over as less than supportive.

I get discounts on my children’s swimming lessons and gymnastics at the leisure centre. Usually they are about £20 each and I pay £12 each because I claim UC.

Free school meals.

School meals vouchers during school holidays. Make sure you sort this out with the school and the council so you don’t miss out. If you’re entitled to FSM you will get the vouchers. For two children over the half term that will be about £15 each. All helps.

Free places at clubs during school holidays under the HAF scheme. My kids went to forest school during the the summer holidays and they loved it.

@myglowupera that's really helpful, thank you

I’m not blaming anyone. I didn't mean to start a gunfight or derail the thread. I was puzzled and now I understand.

https://museummum.com/universal-credit-days-out/

Lots of discounted or free tickets for things in London here OP.