News Plus

Лікар-ендокринолог пояснила, чим небезпечні нічні зміни та чому працювати у нічний час доби шкідливо для організму. В даному випадку ми не говоритимемо про «сови» і «жайворонки». Адже і ті, й інші здебільшого вночі таки сплять. З тією різницею, що одні люблять лягти пізніше і поспати довше, а інші прокидаються на світанку. Йдеться саме про повноцінні […]

MILLIONS of people claiming the personal independent payment (PIP) can get access to a range of freebies and discounts this month. 

PIP is a payment that is given to people with a long-term illness, disability or mental health condition to help with their extra living costs.

Getty

Millions of people who receive PIP can get freebies and discounts this month[/caption]

The payment is worth up to £187.45 a week and the money is paid once a month.

To claim it you need to be over the age of 16 but under the state pension age, which is currently 66.

You also need to have a health condition or disability that has caused difficulties with daily living, mobility or both for at least three months.

PIP is made up of two parts and whether you can claim one or both of these depends on how much your condition impacts you.

The daily living part is given to people who need help with everyday tasks.

The weekly rate for this is either £73.90 or £110.40.

Meanwhile, the mobility part is for people who need help getting around.

On this part the weekly rate is either £29.20 or £77.05 – and you could get both elements.

In addition to the benefit payments, if you claim PIP then you can also get a range of additional perks and discounts, such as a Blue Badge or capped water bills.

Here we reveal a full list of benefits you can claim this month.

Blue badge

If you receive PIP then you are automatically eligible for a blue badge if you either:

• Scored eight points or more in the ‘moving around’ part of your PIP assessment.
• Scored ten points in the ‘planning and following journeys’ section of your PIP assessment and were put in category ‘E’. This means your stress, anxiety or other mental health issues stop you from leaving the house.

You should be able to find this information on your PIP decision letter.

But you can still get a badge if you have long-term problems walking or going to places, including problems caused by stress, anxiety or other mental health issues.

You are also eligible if you have severe problems using both arms.

You need to contact your local council to apply for a Blue Badge.

You can use your PIP award letter to apply but some councils may charge you a fee.

The most you can be charged in England is £10 and £20 in Scotland.

It is free in Wales.

Once you receive the badge you can use car parking spaces that are closer to entrances and may be larger.

You can also park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours, unless there are loading or unloading restrictions.

Discounted days out

If you receive PIP then you could get discounts on days out and memberships.

You may be able to save on cinemas, theatres, theme parks and zoos.

The charity Scope has a guide outlining some of the discounts on offer.

To find out more visit scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/free-discount-event-pa.

If you have a carer then you may also be able to get two for one tickets to hundreds of attractions.

For example, your carer may be entitled to discounted or free entry to National Trust and English Heritage properties.

Similarly, the UK Cinema Association offers CEA cards that will give your carer a free ticket at participating cinemas.

All Merlin Entertainment attractions also offer one complimentary pass per disabled person.

Buying a Merlin Annual Pass will get you a free Carer Pass which can be used by anyone assisting you on the day.

Benefit top-ups

If you receive certain benefits then you may be able to get a top-up, which is called a disability premium.

To be eligible you will need to receive one of the following along with PIP:

• Housing benefit
• Jobseeker’s allowance
• Employment and support allowance
• Pension credit – but only if you get the PIP daily living component

You should contact the office that is in charge of your benefits.

Tell them that you get PIP and ask them what other help you can get.

You may need to send them a copy of your PIP award letter.

They should be able to tell you how much extra you will get.

Vehicle tax reduction

If you claim the standard rate mobility part of PIP then you can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax.

Vehicle tax, also known as road tax, is a fee you need to pay to use your car on public roads.

To qualify for a discount the vehicle must be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.

To apply for a reduction you will need to make claim and provide the following documents: 

• A letter or statement from the Department for Work and Pensions that shows your PIP rate and the dates you’re getting it.
• The vehicle log book (V5C).
• A V10 form.
• Evidence of a current MOT, if you need one. For example, this could be a copy of your vehicle’s MOT history or your MOT certificate, if you have one.
• A cheque or payable order (made out to “DVLA, Swansea”) for 50% of the full rate of car tax for the vehicle.

You should send your application to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BF.

If you are on the enhanced rate of PIP then you could qualify for a complete exemption from vehicle tax.

If you are applying for the first time, you need to visit your nearest Post Office branch.

You can find your nearest branch at postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder or call 0345 722 3344.

Lease a vehicle

If you are awarded the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP and have at least 12 months left on your current allowance, you may be able to join the Motability Scheme.

Through the scheme you can use your qualifying mobility allowance to lease a new vehicle.

The scheme will cover your insurance, servicing and breakdown.

For more information about joining the scheme and to explore the range of available vehicles, you can request an information pack from the Motability Scheme website.

Disabled Facilities Grant

You may be able to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant if you are disabled and want to make changes to your home to suit your needs.

For example, you may want to build an extension or install ramps.

The exact amount you could get depends on where you live.

If you live in England then you could get up to £30,000, while those who live in Wales could get £36,000 and up to £25,000 in Northern Ireland.

You will need to apply through your local council, which must give you a decision within six months.

Free prescriptions

If your disability means that you are eligible for PIP then you may also be able to get free NHS prescriptions.

Whether you are eligible will depend on your specific medical condition.

Certain illnesses such as epilepsy and diabetes automatically entitle you to free prescriptions.

To get them you will need to apply for a medical exemption certificate, which is a card that fits in your wallet.

To apply visit your doctor and request an FP92A form.

Your doctor should be able to help you with the process.

Disabled person’s railcard

People who receive PIP may be able to save a third on train travel with a Disabled Persons Railcard.

The card costs £20 for one year or £54 for three years.

On average it could save you up to £126 but the exact amount will depend on how often you travel by train.

To apply visit disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk.

You will need a copy of your award letter showing that you have received PIP in the past 12 months.

Water bills

Some water suppliers provide help for customers who receive certain benefits, such as PIP, through their WaterSure scheme.

To qualify you need to have a water meter and need to use a lot of water due to a medical condition.

The scheme works by capping your bills and does not impact your credit score.

The cap depends on where you live.

For example, Severn Trent will cap your fresh water bill at £321.23 a year, while for sewerage it is £234.66.

This means in total you would pay up to £555.89 a year.

Who is eligible for the scheme varies depending on your supplier, so check directly with them to see if you qualify.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

THOMAS FRANK is the front-runner to replace Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham after his brutal sacking.

And the Brentford boss might not be the only one switching West for North London this summer.

Getty

Getty

Spurs are yet to begin negotiations with Frank, who has a £10million release clause.

But the Bees are a selling club and the Dane may believe he has taken them as far as he can after two top ten finishes since their promotion in 2021.

Spurs chief Daniel Levy felt Europa League glory papered over the cracks of a disastrous domestic campaign and he will look to overhaul the squad.

With Champions League cash in the bank, Tottenham are set to spend big and SunSport have predicted how they could line-up after Frank’s overhaul.

Cristian Romero could leave and a new centre-back is needed as Spurs conceded a whopping 65 goals in the Premier League last term.

Marc Guehi is set to depart Crystal Palace as he has just a year left on his contract and would be a shrewd signing.

His calming presence and leadership is exactly what is needed and Spurs bid £70m for him in January.

Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur had mixed seasons and a partner for the talented Lucas Bergvall is needed.

JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS

Frank could use his Danish links to bring in Morten Hjulmund.

The energetic all-action midfielder captains Sporting Lisbon and is loved by now Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.

Hjulmund is composed on the ball and gets stuck in, making him perfect for Frank’s flexible systems.

Eberechi Eze has a £60m release clause at Palace and would be a luxury if funds are still available.

Spurs are likely to make Mathys Tel’s loan move from Bayern Munich permanent for £45m and the position can be his with Son Heung-min departing.

On the other flank, Brennan Johnson can frustrate and Dejan Kulusevski has caught the eye centrally, opening the door for Tyler Dibling.

Relegated Southampton will sell the 19-year-old winger, who fits Tottenham’s recent policy of signing talented youngsters.

Up top, Frank has transformed Yoane Wissa into a deadly striker and neither would decline a reunion.

He got 19 league goals last season and could be a summer bargain with just a year left on his contract.

Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney is destined for the Premier League and the 22-year-old is tidy in possession.

Having him next to the pressing machine Ederson from Atalanta would be ideal, but a deal for the Brazilian will be tough as he could cost £50m.

Frank could want to bring wingers Kevin Schade or Bryan Mbeumo with him to Spurs from Brentford.

Schade scored 11 goals last season and is one of the most improved players in the Prem.

Mbeumo would be a dream signing, but Tottenham would need to act fast as he is reportedly heading to Man Utd.

Alamy

Alamy

Bryan Mbeumo and Kevin Schade have been transformed by Frank[/caption]

У США повернули до життя спортивне купе Plymouth GTX 1971 року. Рідкісна модель простояла в гаражі майже чотири десятиліття. Про це повідомляє сайт Autoevolution. Раритетний Plymouth GTX перестали експлуатувати в 1988 році. Авто з невеликим пробігом (31 тис. км) поставили в гараж, де він і простояв до нашого часу. Plymouth GTX покрився товстим шаром бруду […]

Котлети, які ви збираєтесь готувати з курячого фаршу стануть значно смачніші, якщо додати до них додаткові інгредієнти. Томатний сік – це один із інгредієнтів для приготування котлет. Мало хто знає, але до котлет можна додавати не тільки батон, розмочений у молоці. Подробиці Відмінною заміною можуть стати томатна паста, вершкове масло, кабачки, терта картопля, сир, пластівці […]

Вчені спростували міфи про користь соків для здоров’я – ризик передчасної смерті при їх вживанні майже такий же, як якщо постійно пити солодку газовану воду. Американські вчені прийшли до висновку, що свіжовичавлені фруктові соки шкодять здоров’ю не менше солодкої газованої води – в них стільки ж цукру і калорій. Як зазначили фахівці, захоплення соками може […]

У фіорді Гренландії зафіксували гігантську стоячу хвилю — сейшу, спричинену мегацунамі, яку виявили супутникові дані SWOT. У вересні 2023 року світова сейсмічна система зареєструвала незвичний сигнал, що тривав дев’ять днів, повторюючись кожні 90 секунд. Після ретельного аналізу вчені дійшли висновку, що джерелом сигналу стала сейша — стояча хвиля, яка утворюється в замкнутих водоймах унаслідок коливань […]

Фото Getty Images Нещодавно у ЗМІ з’явилася інформація, що британський принц Гаррі серйозно замислився про зміну прізвища на материне, Спенсер. Він буцімто навіть радився щодо цього зі своїм рідним дядьком, братом принцеси Діани, Чарльзом Спенсером. Як пояснили джерела The Guardian, на такі думки Гаррі наштовхнула проблема з отриманням нових паспортів їхніх із Меган Маркл дітей, […]

MARNIE Simpson has admitted her controversial TV career has put her under the spotlight when it comes to mum-shamers over the last decade.

But the Geordie Shore reality star, 33, has now insisted that she has “no regrets” when it comes to her wild and raunchy televised scenes on the hit Paramount+ show. 

Instagram

Instagram

The reality star said she is not ashamed of stripping of for OnlyFans[/caption]

Instagram

The brunette beauty has hit back at ‘judgemental mum-shamers’[/caption]

The Newcastle lass exclusively told The Sun: “ I’ve been judged and mum-shamed for years – I won’t bring up my children to be judgemental.”

The OnlyFans creator, who joined the adult subscription site in 2022, Marnie said she is proud of her TV career – despite what some trolls may say.

Geordie Shore made history as one of UK’s wildest TV shows – best known for its chaotic antics, explicit sex scenes, boozy parties and threesomes. 

But looking back on telly career, which also includes Ex on The Beach and Celebrity Big Brother, Marnie said she has nothing to be ashamed of. 

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Marnie said: “I think all my wild nights in my Geordie Shore days were all really crazy but I also had so much fun – I think my 20s were so amazing, I got to do so many amazing things. I got to travel, I got the best experiences, I don’t really live with regret.”

Marnie was at the center of a number of fiery clashes on Geordie Shore – with one of her most memorable moments being a mother of all cat fights with former co-star Charlotte Crosby after she kissed newcomer Marty McKenna, just hours after he snogged Chloe Ferry.

When Marnie first rocked up in series seven, she made a few enemies among the girls when she made a beeline for Scotty T and Gaz Beadle. And in series nine, one the biggest house party fights broke out after she kissed her best mate Kyle Christie to make Aaron Chalmers jealous.

And let’s not forget the X-rated bedroom sessions that saw her get down and dirty with Gaz, Aaron and even girl pal Chloe Ferry.

The pregnant star, who is mum to sons, Rox, five, and Oax, two, with husband Casey Johnson, said she is not concerned about her children seeing her telly past on the internet. 

She shared: “The way the world is going at the minute, I don’t think it will need to be a conversation. 

“I feel like my relationship with my family is very open and honest and I think it will be the same with me and my kids.

“I don’t keep anything back, they know everything about me and I feel they’re going to be brought up to not be judgemental.

“I feel like if anything, the conversations will be about Geordie Shore, not OnlyFans.”

The popular TV personality said she would be supportive of whatever career path her children takes, even if it’s joining a reality TV show one day.

“I would be happy for my kids doing anything that made them happy, as long as it wasn’t hurting other people,” Marnie said.

“Whatever they want to do, I’m going to raise them the best I can until they’re 18 and then they can make their own decisions in life, as long as it makes them happy and they’re not hurting anyone, they can do what they want.”

Since Marnie made her first TV appearance in 2013, her life changed forever and not always for the better.

She has been the subject of vile trolls and social media hate, with mum-shamers relentlessly telling her to “have some respect”. 

Marnie has been forced to defend her decision to strip off and share sexy lingerie photos on her platform. 

Marnie insisted she has “no regrets” when it comes to stripping off for money, saying: “While I’m young, I’m going to embrace my body and I’m really proud of my body. 

“Then why not.. I feel empowered by embracing it.” 

When it comes to being cruelly trolled, she said: “I feel like I wouldn’t say that’s down to OnlyFans, I’ve been judged and mum-shamed for years because I come from such a controversial reality show. I come from Geordie Shore. 

“We’ve kind of dealt with that for the past 13 years, that’s no different to me.”

Marnie admitted the world is now moving towards accepting adult content creators – but said she’ll always face scrutiny. 

She said: “I honestly feel the stigma and taboo is already breaking down. 

“As the years go by, it’s becoming more normalised [working on adult subscription sites]. 

“So many girls and women and ladies are just having that choice for themselves and I think it’s really empowering. 

“It’s such a normal thing now, I think back in the day, there was a lot more stigma around it but I think it’s becoming such a global thing now.

“There are so many people worldwide who are on the platform and there is a reason for that.

“I think it’s good that no one feels that they can’t be on there and that they’re judged. 

“I definitely like where it’s going because no one should have the right to judge others, there shouldn’t really be a stigma around it because not everyone is doing the same thing on there – it’s each to their own.”

Despite not everyone being accepting of this career choice, Marnie is raking in the cash and will be introducing a new OnlyFans YouTube channel in a bid to reach more fans. 

“I’ve enjoyed it because I feel like it’s given me a lot of freedom, a lot of confidence, I feel like I get to connect with people on a deeper level,” she shared.

“I love having the freedom of working for myself and choosing how I spend my time, so it works for me perfectly.”

Marnie will be able to share more personal and daily updates with fans on the new channel, just months after her In The Real Life series launched on the OnlyFans platform.

Marnie, who announced she is expecting a baby girl with singer Casey, said the last few months have been hard physically, but she is excited to jump straight back into her content creating after giving birth.

She told us: “I don’t feel at my most confident right this second, I’ve got to be honest.

“I am six months pregnant and pregnancy isn’t really for me – I find it really tough.

“I’ve been really sick and I’ve really struggled. 

“At this second I don’t feel my sexiest, but since reaching my 30s, I’ve recently felt the most confident within myself, physically, mentally, emotionally.

“I’ve just felt so strong and strong minded and my best.”

The star had a very difficult first birth and while pregnant with her second child she insisted she would not have any more.

She said at the time: “I would not go to three,” she said. “I think you’ve got to find the balance for yourselves.

“We want to enjoy our lives as well. We’ve not waited too long to have kids and I feel like having two, we can give them the best life possible.”

Marnie previously described her first labour, which lasted 28 hours, as traumatic and insisted on having a c-section the second time round.

Marnie was diagnosed with a chronic UTI in 2016 and after giving birth to baby Rox in 2019, her symptoms began to get a lot worse.

Marnie got engaged to X Factor singer Casey back in 2020, and they wed in May 2023.

The pair met on the show Single AF in 2017.

They confirmed their relationship just a few months after the show ended – a move that is against show rules but it didn’t seem to worry the smitten love-birds.

MTV

Marnie said she is not afraid of her kids seeing her TV past[/caption]

MTV

Geordie Shore made history as one of UK’s wildest TV shows[/caption]

Instagram

The OnlyFans creator joined the adult subscription site in 2022[/caption]

Instagram

The TV star said she still faces scrutiny for her career choice[/caption]

Instagram

Fans had been waiting for this day. People had been dreaming of this day. Zack Snyder would have loved to be a part of it. This day was written down in prophecies forgotten in the tale of time. That day might finally be nearer than we think. A DC movie will potentially outscore a highly […]

This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire