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Quickly check for unclaimed benefits, discounts or top-ups within minutes online to boost your income this winterCost of living is rising and energy bills will still go up in October, so

make sure you are not missing out on extra help.LifestyleLinda Howard Money and Consumer Writer10:56, 12 Sep 2022Updated 10:56, 12 Sep 2022Cost of living payments: Everything you need to

know Last week, Prime Minister Liz Truss announced that the typical UK household will pay no more than £2,500 a year for energy for the next two years from October as the UK Government

responds to soaring gas and electricity prices.

Without the intervention, average household energy bills would have jumped 80 per cent from October 1, from the current £1,971 to £3,549 a year under Ofgem's latest price cap. Ms Truss has

announced that a new Energy Price Guarantee will supersede the existing price cap until 2024 - the year the next general election is expected.

Cost of living payments will continue to offer extra help to low income families, pensioner households and the disabled this winter. However, people may be unaware they can quickly and

easily check online for any missing benefits, discounts or top-ups online using a confidential benefits calculator - there’s even one that checks eligibility for devolved benefits.

READ MORE: New cost of living campaign could help households worried about money access more than £4,000 in supportREAD MORE: Full list of cost of living payments due to be issued between

September and Christmas Below is everything you need to know about benefits calculators including the most popular ones to use, what they check for and how to use them.

What is an online benefits calculator? Online benefit calculators quickly work out if you are missing out on any benefits and best of all, they are completely free, independent and

confidential to use - so there’s nothing to lose.

In just a few minutes you could find out how much you may be able to claim in extra support, just by entering details about yourself, your residential status, your working status and any

savings you have.

Article continues below You can use an independent benefits calculator to find out:

What benefits you could getHow to claimHow your benefits will be affected if you start workUK Government Updates Winter Fuel Payment update due in JuneHMRC confirms change to tax next

yearState Pension age rises to 67 next yearDWP welfare reforms could be 'tweaked'Where to find helpAdvice Direct Scotland This online tool is the first to fully integrate devolved benefits,

including the Scottish Child Payment.

It provides a free and impartial assessment of entitlement to a range of benefits such as Universal Credit, crisis grants and support payments.

Turn2us Information on income-related benefits, Tax Credits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change

your working hours.

Policy in Practice Information on income-related benefits, Tax Credits, contribution-based benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit, how these are calculated and

how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours.

entitledto Information on income-related benefits, Tax Credits, contribution-based benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected

if you start work.

What you will need You will need accurate information about your:

SavingsIncome, including your partner’sExisting benefits and pensions (including anyone living with you)Outgoings (such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments)Latest Council Tax bill To keep

up to date with the cost of living crisis, join in the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out three times each week -

sign up here.

Article continues belowREAD NEXTNew £400 October energy discount guide includes payment dates for all account typesPeople on a low income may qualify for cash support from their local

councilDWP loans worth up to £812 for people claiming certain benefits can be repaid over two yearsNew petition calls for Carer’s Allowance to increase to £239 per weekPeople with a

disability claiming certain DWP benefits may be eligible for premium payments