Wednesday, 20 Nov 2024

Martin Lewis reveals the 5 hidden cash payouts that could net you hundreds back

Martin Lewis has just handed people they keys to reclaiming money they’re rightfully owed – but haven’t been told about.

The financial guru just told viewers of the Martin Lewis Money show exactly where that cash has been stashed and how to claim it back.

He revealed that millions of people across the country are owed money from the taxman, energy providers or student loans company, and it’s worth hundreds.

"The big question, how many of these hidden cash payouts will you be due?"

Graduated uni in the past 20 years? Then you could be owed hundreds

"This goes way, way back to 1998," Martin said.

"You call up the student loans company and ask for your money back and you could be due £700, £800, £900," Martin explained.

Why? Well, if you started higher education in or after 1998, the rules state you only have to pay it back from the April after you graduate, and then only as long as they meet the repayment threshold.

You’re only meant to start paying in the April after graduation – if you started paying before that then you’re entitled to the money back.

MoneySavingExpert found that more than 100,000 people started paying back too soon in the past 3 years alone, so hundreds of thousands more could be owed cash too.

You can check by ringing the Student Loans Company on 0300 100 0611 (or +44 141 243 3660 from overseas).

Just tell them you think you started paying back your student loan before the April following your graduation, and you would like to claim back any money that you may have overpaid.

Martin added that you’re almost always better off taking the cash than paying off the loan with it too – thanks to the way student loans are calculated.

"In the vast majority of cases you’re better off taking the cash out," Martin said.

Money back if you wear specific work clothes

If you wear a recognisable uniform to work..and you wash and own it yourself, then you are entitled to the uniform tax break.

That includes anything from a T-shirt with a logo to a full nurse’s or police officer’s uniform.

"It can add up to £350," Martin said.

Most people won’t get that, but you can get 6 years’ worth back dated, and even at the lowest level that’s £60.

A simple check if you can claim tool is available at www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees

Winter is here – so get your cash back now

With winter here, and if you pay your energy by direct debit, you’re meant to be in debt to your energy supplier.

But if not, then you’re due that money back.

"It could be hundreds of pounds," Martin explained.

That’s because of the way we pay.

Direct debits mean the same amount is taken out of your account each month.Ofgem rules mean customers are entitled to any refunds on credit as long as up-to-date meter readings have been provided.

"So if you’re in credit now, you’re entitled to the rest back," Martin said.

Almost 1 million people owed up to £54 refunds

The Ministry of Justice has said hundreds of thousands of people in England & Wales are due a refund because they were overcharged when seeking a lasting power of attorney.

That’s because the Office of the Public Guardian isn’t allowed to make a profit from carrying out this work – but didn’t drop its prices after finding cheaper ways to grant powers of attorney.

“Anyone who signed up for one of these between the first of April 2013 and the 31 of March 2017 was overcharged effectively," Martin said.

He added: "The Government overcharged you – not the advisers.

"The law said they were only allowed to charge the cost to them."

Read our full guide on how to get it below:

Married or in a civil partnership – you could be owed £900

Since April 2015, most married couples and civil partners have been entitled to the ‘ marriage tax allowance ‘.

This lets couples where one person works and the other does not transfer some of their tax allowance between each other.

It’s worth £268 this year, but you can claim past years too.

“You can back claim for 3 years, and get a cheque for the rest,” Martin said.

"But it only works if you’re married or a civil partner – not if you’re just living together," Martin explained.

"Don’t blame me, it’s the Government."

You can apply for the Marriage Allowance online .

It’s simple to apply and HMRC says it takes around four minutes to do it via gov.uk/marriage-allowance .

If you don’t have access to the internet call 0300 200 3300 – but be patient as they try and push you online.

"You need to do it – it’s dead easy," Marin said.

Read More

Legal tax breaks

  • Marriage Tax Allowance
  • Work clothes allowance
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Grandparents’ credit
  • Legal council tax discounts
  • Get 25% extra on savings
  • Extra tax-free money your boss
  • Almost 5m Brits have overpaid on tax

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