The cost of living crisis is continuing to put pressure on people's personal finances.
Fortunately, there are a variety of government programmes which have been implemented to help provide some extra support for struggling families. Different payment and support packages could make a major difference depending on your household's unique situation, Chronicle Live reports.
Here's a breakdown of all the DWP benefit and pension payments that will be introduced throughout the remainder of March.
State benefits and pensions
Because there are no public holidays in March, there should be no disruptions to pension and benefit payment dates this month. You can expect any payments to land directly in your bank account at the date you would usually receive them.
This includes the following:
Universal Credit
State pension
Pension credit
Disability living allowance
Personal independent payment
Attendance allowance
Carer’s allowance
Employment support allowance
Income support
Jobseeker’s allowance
Energy Support Payments
The energy bill support scheme is due to come to an end at the end of March. The package, worth a total of £400, helped to reduce bill costs without needing to be repaid.
Throughout October and November, people received an instalment of £66 respectively while the following three months featured an instalment of £67. Those who pay by direct debit will have their bills reduced automatically while those on pre-payment meters will have to get a discount voucher either by text, email or post, which can then be used at your regular top-up shop.
Warm home discount
The government's warm home discount scheme will run until the end of March and allows eligible people to claim £150 to help with energy bills throughout the winter period. The money will be paid to help with high energy costs to anyone receiving the following benefits: pension credit, income-related employment and support allowance, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income support, universal credit, housing benefit or child tax credits and working tax credits.
Cold weather payments
Cold weather payments will be available until March 31. It allows low-income households to receive £25 for every seven-day period temperatures fall below 0C.
Read next:
Police could be called to 'flare ups' at polling stations amid new voter requirement
Inside Andy Burnham's bid for more power to change Greater Manchester
How much council tax you will have to pay in every borough of Greater Manchester from April
Hundreds of homes and new community centre at old Manchester City stadium site
Abandoned city centre canal office left derelict for decades set to become flats
