Good morning. It’s Isabella McRae here. Welcome back to Survival Guide.

It’s a big week. And a good week. Benefits and pensions are about to go up, which means a boost to the incomes of millions of people across the country.

They’re being uprated properly too, with benefits up by September’s inflation rate and pensions up by wage growth. Some politicians argued against them being increased by so much, so it's a huge positive that this step is being taken.

Benefits are still too low, however. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates that universal credit falls short by £30 each week of the money people need to survive. Charities, campaigners and now MPs are pushing the government to set a new benchmark for benefit levels so that they’re actually enough for people to afford to live.

All of this means it's important to make sure you’re getting all the benefits and support you are entitled to, and we’ve got a round-up of how to make sure you are if you read to the end of this newsletter…

If you have a story to share, we want to listen. Get in touch at isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com or share your story here.

Yvonne's story: 'I just cry'

Pensioner Yvonne Bailey has nothing left after rent and bills. A trip to a restaurant or cinema is out of the question. She has no choice but to avoid socialising. Sometimes she just cries.

The winter months have been especially long and lonely in the cost of living crisis.

There are currently 2.1 million pensioners living in poverty in the UK – and for people without savings, state pension falls short of the money needed to survive and is likely to do so even after it’s increased in April. 

The good news is there is an additional benefit known as pension credit, which pensioners get if they are on a low income. But up to £2.1billion in pension credit went unclaimed in the financial year ending 2022, the latest year for which statistics are available. It means up to 880,000 families missed out on an average of £2,200 per year.

Yvonne wants to speak out to encourage pensioners to apply for the financial support they are entitled to. Read her story.

In case you missed it

DWP benefits 'too low' to cover basic living costs, government warned: 'Completely unacceptable'. The work and pensions committee recommends that benefits are increased each year according to a new benchmark which takes living costs into account. Here’s more.

DWP could be 'fantastic' under Labour, says ex-minister Stephen Timms: 'Don't write the DWP off'. In an exclusive interview, the chair of the work and pensions committee spoke about his hopes for the future of the welfare system. Get the story.

Millions of kids are in poverty and Jeremy Hunt wants a 'carrot and stick' benefits system. Experts say there are also “question marks” around Labour’s plans for welfare and work. Find out more.

'Out of touch': Chancellor Jeremy Hunt slammed after claiming £100,000 a year 'isn't a huge salary'. Hunt came under fire last week after he took to social media to air a constituent’s grievances about their six-figure pay packet. Read more.

'Job apocalypse': Up to 8 million Brits risk losing their jobs to AI, government warned. The UK is at a 'sliding doors moment', the Institute for Public Policy Research has found. Read the story.

Kate Garraway's 'huge debts' from husband's care shows reality of a social care system in crisis. The broadcaster acknowledged that her job is well paid – but said that the astronomical £16,000-a-month care costs have left her at “crunch point.” Read about it.

Unsecured debt such as credit cards and loans at highest level in a decade, charity warns. StepChange Debt Charity has raised the alarm that people struggling with their finances are turning to credit more than ever. Get the latest.

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'We are heartbroken': Hull group loses hip-hop bus which fights poverty and changes lives

Avid readers of this newsletter may remember Beats Bus: a grassroots group which uses hip-hop to fight poverty and protect young people from county lines gangs.

The bus is a key part of the group’s mission. It is a mobile recording studio where young people learn to create hip-hop songs, play around with beats and experience the joy of music. 

But time has not been kind to the Beats Bus – and the team are now having to bid goodbye to their beloved vehicle, which is rotting and rusted and not worth repairing.

Find out more here and donate to the crowdfunder to help replace the Beats Bus here.

Saving those coins: How to know if you could be eligible for benefits

You could be entitled to benefits and tax credits if you are working or unemployed, sick or disabled, a parent, a young person, an older person or a veteran. You can use the charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator to find out what benefits you are entitled to claim.

Citizens Advice offers information and services to help people and they can advise you as to what financial support is available from the government to help you. 

The government’s Help for Households website explains what support you could be eligible for, and we’ve got a round-up of all the cost of living help available to households here.

Find out more about how much benefits are going up and what you could be paid here.