September 2025 Newsletter | Cylchlythyr Misol Medi 2025
1. The end of September sees a number of young people leave home for the first time to embark on their University journey. Have you spoken with your children/grandchildren/ nieces & nephews about the importance of money?
Budgeting will very likely be the last thing on their minds as they think about the freedom and experiences that University brings. It may be wise to have a short session with them to ensure they understand the implications of credit card charges and overdraft interest rates, before they end up spending their whole student loans before the end of October!
2. Are you thinking of buying an electric car? Earlier this month, the Government announced the first electric vehicles eligible for a £3,750 discount under a new grant scheme. This is to help reduce the price of electric cars to a cost closer to their petrol/diesel counterparts.
3. A great number of people have contacted us in the last month to highlight a widespread scam regarding the Winter Fuel Payment, with scammers insisting that a claim needs to be made immediately to ensure you receive the payment, and that you must provide your bank details. This is a SCAM!
All pensioners in England & Wales will receive the payment automatically and if you earn more than £35,000, you will need to repay this to the Government in due course (see our August newsletter for details on how this repayment will work).
Check in with your family & friends who may have fallen victim to this recent scam.
Ask Huw & Aled
Q: My mother-in-law has had deteriorating eyesight for a number of years, and whilst she has been managing alongside support from family, she has now been registered blind with her local authority. Someone mentioned that you could perhaps claim extra tax relief as a blind person, but we're not sure. Can you clarify if such relief exists?
A: There is a little-known allowance available to individuals who are either blind or severely sight impaired. In England & Wales, an individual can claim a 'Blind Person's Allowance' if both of the following apply:
i) If they are registered with their local council as blind or severely sight impaired, and
ii) if they have a document from their doctor confirming they are blind or severely sight impaired
An application can be made to HMRC where, if successful, an additional tax-free allowance (currently £3,130) is added to the individual's personal income tax-free allowance.
If your mother-in-law does not earn more than £12,570 herself, she can transfer her Blind Person's Allowance to her spouse, if they earn more than £12,570.
Finally, if your mother-in-law was registered blind many years ago, but has not claimed the Blind Person's Allowance until now, a backdated claim can be made for up to 4 years before the current tax year (pending certain criteria).
