Universal Credit Claimant Exposes £150 Work Clothing Reimbursement Scheme
A woman receiving Universal Credit has publicly disclosed a relatively unknown provision that allows benefit claimants to have shopping trips for essential items reimbursed by the Department for Work and Pensions.
The £150 Work Clothing Allowance Revelation
Ray-Naomi, a Universal Credit recipient, explained how she utilised what she describes as a "little-known loophole" to obtain £150 worth of clothing specifically for work purposes, along with complimentary travel arrangements. She detailed her experience using a Universal Credit advance, commonly referred to as a hardship payment, which resulted in her receiving reimbursement in cash following a shopping expedition.
"If you're on Universal Credit and you've just secured employment, you can actually obtain £150 to spend on work attire, and nobody will inform you about this," Ray-Naomi stated emphatically. "Essentially, spend up to £150, upload your receipt to the Universal Credit system, and they will reimburse you – I can personally verify this because I've actually done it myself."
She made her purchases at TK Maxx, which she characterised as an "upper class thrift store," highlighting how claimants can make their allowance stretch further through strategic shopping.
Lack of Official Communication About Entitlements
Perhaps most strikingly, Ray-Naomi emphasised that this valuable information isn't proactively communicated through official channels. "The most astonishing aspect is that Universal Credit doesn't even inform you about this – my work coach didn't mention it, and when I questioned him, he seemed unaware that I knew about it," she revealed, suggesting a significant information gap between what's available and what's communicated to claimants.
Comprehensive Range of Additional Support Available
Beyond the work clothing reimbursement, Ray-Naomi outlined numerous other benefits that Universal Credit claimants might not realise they're entitled to receive:
- Free NHS prescriptions
- Complimentary dental check-ups
- No-cost eyesight tests
- Assistance with glasses or contact lenses
- Travel refunds for NHS appointments
- Discounts on utility bills
- Childcare support provisions
- Help with rental costs
She further explained: "You can also apply for various grants – please don't struggle silently because support exists, you simply need to know where and how to request it."
Public Reaction and Practical Guidance
The revelation generated considerable response on social media platforms, with one viewer commenting: "Wow, thank you for sharing this." Another responded: "I had no idea about this all these years – incredible." A third inquired specifically about travel reimbursement procedures for medical appointments.
Ray-Naomi provided practical advice for accessing travel support: "Contact your work coach, inform them about your travel requirements for appointments, and they should be able to arrange reimbursement for your travel expenses," she advised. "Alternatively, after six months on Universal Credit, they provide a discounted bus or tram pass, so inquire about that option as well. I hope this information proves helpful to people."
This disclosure highlights the importance of claimants being proactive in researching and requesting the full range of support available through the benefits system, as not all entitlements are automatically presented or explained during the claims process.
