Our expert Welfare Advice Teams can help with:
- Signposting for budgeting and debt advice (including utility debt)
- Applying for benefits, including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payments, Disability Living Allowance, etc
- Appealing benefit decisions, including sanctions
- Issuing food and fuel vouchers
- Grants for rent arrears or essential items in exceptional circumstances
In 2024/25, we secured more than £1.6 million in additional benefits and grants for Cobalt customers. This was money that our customers did not know they were entitled to.
If you ever need financial support, please call our Welfare Advice Team on 0330 303 2222.
Our Welfare Advice team is available every Monday and Wednesday, from 10am – 1pm.
Claiming benefits
It’s important to check that you’re claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to.
In 2024/25, we secured more than £1.7 million in additional benefits and grants for Cobalt customers. This was money that our customers did not know they were entitled to.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is replacing the following benefits:
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Working Tax Credit.
Universal Credit combines your benefits into one monthly payment. You will budget to pay your bills, including your rent. Read more about Universal Credit, including information on how to apply, on the government’s website.
Universal Credit – Bedroom Entitlement
If you receive Universal Credit, you might be entitled to extra help with housing costs based on your bedroom needs. This is especially important if you require an additional bedroom for a carer or due to disability.
What You’re Entitled To:
- One bedroom for:
- An adult couple
- A single person aged 16+
- Two children of the same sex under 16
- Two children under 10 (any sex)
- Any other child under 16
Extra Bedroom Allowance:
You may qualify for an additional bedroom if:
- You or your partner need a non-resident carer overnight
- A disabled child or adult needs a non-resident carer overnight
- A child cannot share a bedroom due to disability
- A couple cannot share a bedroom because of disability
- You are a foster carer
Note: Private renters are capped at four bedrooms. Rooms used for medical equipment do not count as extra bedrooms.
Eligibility for Disability-Related Bedrooms:
The disabled person must receive one of:
- Disability Living Allowance (care component, middle or higher rate)
- Attendance Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (daily living component)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
Carer Rules:
- A resident overnight carer counts under general rules.
- A non-resident carer qualifies if overnight stays are “reasonably required” and occur regularly.
Make sure you’re receiving the correct housing element. If you think you’re entitled to an extra bedroom or need help checking your Universal Credit account, contact us for expert support.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) helps with the additional cost of any disability or long-term health condition for those aged 16 and over. Read more about PIP, including how to apply, on the government’s website.
Housing Benefit
If you claim Jobseeker’s Allowance or if your income is below a certain level, you could receive Housing Benefit to help pay your rent. Read more about Housing Benefit, including how to apply, on the government’s website.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit is available to people of state pension age who meet certain criteria. Click here to use the government’s pension credit calculator or call 0800 99 1234 to check your eligibility.
Bedroom Tax
The Under Occupation Penalty (or Bedroom Tax as it is commonly known) means that your Housing Benefit may be reduced if you have a spare room in your home. Click here to visit Liverpool City Council’s and see what is classed as a spare room.
Benefit cap
The Benefit Cap limits the amount of benefits working age people can receive. Click here to visit Turn2Us to find out more about the Benefit Cap.
Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) provide short-term support towards rent if your Housing Benefit and Universal Credit payments to not cover your full rent. Click here to visit Liverpool City Council’s website to find out more.
Fuel Vouchers
In 2024/25, we gave out £85,651 of fuel vouchers to support our customers over the winter months – an £8000 increase on the previous year.
Benefits calculator
Turn2Us provides a free benefits calculator, so you can check any time you want.
Upcoming Changes to Disability Benefits
The government plans to change how disability benefits work, including Universal Credit. From April 2026, the LCWRA Element will be reduced for new claimants, while the Standard Allowance will increase.
There will be:
- A new LCWRA rate of £217.26 (frozen for 4 years)
- A protected rate for those entitled before 6 April 2026
Other proposals include:
- Ending the Work Capability Assessment by 2028
- Linking UC health support to Daily Living PIP
- Increasing face-to-face assessments
- Reducing reassessments for lifelong conditions
*These changes are not yet final.
Managed migration
Tax credits are ending and will be replaced by Universal Credit. This is called managed migration.
If you receive a migration notice from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), it’s important that you follow the instructions in the letter, otherwise your benefits will stop.
Money advice
Financial support is available