A WOMAN has shared the little-known hack that got her £150 worth of clothes for free from TK Maxx.
Not only this, but the claimant revealed how those on can also claim free bus too.
A woman on benefits has shared how those on Universal Credit can have a shopping trip reimbursedCredit: tiktok/@raynaomii
Ray-Naomi also revealed the other freebies available – from free NHS prescriptions, to a discount on bills and help with rentCredit: tiktok/@raynaomii
Posting on , Ray-Naomi, who is from , revealed all to her followers on the Universal Credit advance, also known as a hardship payment , which saw her get reimbursed with free cash after a .
She said: “If you’re on Universal Credit and you’ve just got a , you can actually get £150 to spend on work , and no one will tell you this.
“Basically, spend up to £150, upload your receipt to Universal Credit, and they will reimburse you – I can vouch because I’ve literally done this myself.”
Ray-Naomi spent her allowance at , which she described as an “upper class thrift store.”
The recognised that thanks to the advance payment, she was able to buy numerous items of from the high street chain.
She explained that in TK Maxx, you can find everything from jeans, hoodies, jumpers, coats and even branded stuff that is “discounted.”
She continued: “The maddest thing is that Universal Credit doesn’t even tell you this – my work coach didn’t even tell me this, and when I asked him, he didn’t know I knew this.”
As well as this, Ray-Naomi recognised: “Just so you know, on Universal Credit you’re also entitled to things like free prescriptions, free dental check up, free eyesight test, help with glasses or contact lenses, travel refunds for NHS appointments, discount on , childcare support and help with .
“You can also apply for grants too – please do not struggle in silence because there is support, you just have to know where to ask for it.”
How to apply
If you already and need help paying for a one-off cost, such as work clothes for a new job, you might be able to qualify for this advance payment.
According to the Gov.uk website , this payment is in place for those applying for or starting a new job and it provides support to pay for expenses such as uniforms.
The advance payment also covers work equipment, childcare costs before your first wage or travel to an interview.
Am I entitled to Universal Credit?
According to the GOV website, if you’re on a low income or need help with your living costs, then you could be entitled to Universal Credit.
To claim, you must live in the UK, be aged 18 or over (with some exceptions if you’re 15 to 17), be under State Pension age, and have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments.
Other circumstances are if you are out of work, or unable to work, for example because of a health condition.
To apply for the payment, you will need to update your journal in your Universal Credit account.
Then, you must ask your work coach or your Universal Credit contact at your local .
Following this, you’ll have to show that you need the to get or start a job, and prove that you cannot afford to pay for it yourself.
Social media users react
Ray-Naomi’s clip, which was posted under the username @ raynaomii , has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 231,500 views.
Social media users were thankful for Ray-Naomi’s and many eagerly flocked to the comments to express this.
One person said: “Wow thanks.”
Another added: “Didn’t know this all these years wow.”
You’re also entitled to things like free NHS prescriptions, free dental check up, free eyesight test, help with glasses or contact lenses, travel refunds for NHS appointments, discount on bills, childcare support and help with rent
Ray-Naomi
A third commented: “I just asked, thank you!”
Meanwhile, someone else chimed in and wondered: “How do you get travel reimbursement for appointments?”
To this, Ray-Naomi responded and confirmed: “Message your work coach and let them know this and they should be able to reimburse you for your travel.
“Alternatively after six months on the , they give you a bus/tram pass so ask them about that too. Hope this helps!”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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