Martin Lewis, the money saving expert, has issued an important message to every household with an annual income of less than £30,000.
On Tuesday, March 8, Lewis gave the advice – which comes as the cost of living continues to rise in the UK – during an hour-long episode of The Martin Lewis Money Show.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the median household income for the UK in the financial year ending 2020 was £29,900.
Lewis's appeal, therefore, will apply to many people around the country.
Directly speaking to viewers, Lewis urged: "If you have an income of less than £30,000 and you are struggling, it is worth spending 10 minutes on a benefits calculator to see what you are entitled to."
A benefits calculator helps individuals work out how much they are entitled to claim on income-related benefits, tax credits and Universal Credit.
Benefits are intended to help people who are struggling, and will be particularly welcome to those trying to readjust their budget to the rising cost of living in the UK.
The cost of living hit a 30-year high in January 2022, with energy, fuel and food prices rising, as per the BBC.
With prices rising, people are having to tighten their budgets and may even be resorting to 'buy now, pay later' schemes, something Lewis was quick to warn against.
"I am very concerned about 'buy now, pay later'. It is a debt even if it is debt free. If you cannot pay it back, it’s difficult," as per The Mirror.
Lewis's advice comes as Ofgem announced that its energy price cap will rise by 54% on April 1.
Three quick tips on energy bills… #MartinLewishttps://t.co/A14fpPoz9m
— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) March 8, 2022
A further rise is expected in October, which could be significantly higher, according to Lewis's website.
The cap means that many households around the country could expect to add £693 to their energy bill each year, as per The Independent.
With many left wondering what to do amid the price hike, Lewis suggested solutions to help people cope.
He said: "I would suggest you do a meter reading today and diarise to do a meter reading on March 31, so you draw a line and tell the energy company, 'All this energy I've used should be at the cheap rate'."
Lewis then added that families should check how to claim a £150 council tax rebate from April, which may help in addition to the benefits he previously mentioned.
Featured Image Credit: Alamy
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