As we rapidly approach the winter months, many concerns are being raised over the price of heating and electricity and its potential effect on the cost of living crisis.
Fortunately, there are some forms of help that will be available throughout the winter to aid households in coping with the rising cost of living. This is coupled with a newly announced energy price freeze of £2,500 which will be in place for the next two years.
However, it can be difficult navigating the wide variety of support that has become available, as well as what you may be entitled to depending on your unique situation. Because of this, we've broken down all the help from the government you may be able to receive throughout the winter period.
Read more: Where I Live: "I rent a one-bed flat for £750 a month - it's my safe haven"
£650 Cost of Living payment
The cost of living payment is delivered in two instalments for eligible recipients. Most would have already received their first payment of £326 by now, however, the DWP has noted that more complex claims and those waiting for an award decision will have their payment delayed.
Meanwhile, pensioners making a new claim for Pension Credit before August 18 will qualify for the payment if their claim is later successful.
In order to be eligible for the payment you must receive one of the following:
- Universal Credit - you must have been entitled to a payment of at least 1p during the assessment period of April 26, 2022 to May 25, 2022
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) - received a payment between April 26, 2022 to May 25, 2022
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - received a payment between April 26, 2022 to May 25, 2022
- Income Support - received a payment between April 26, 2022 to May 25, 2022
- Pension Credit - received a payment between April 26, 2022 to May 25, 2022
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
If you receive tax credits and are eligible, your first cost of living payment will be paid in September.
£150 Disability Cost of Living payment
A special one-off payment will be provided to those receiving a disability benefit. In order to qualify, you must have received a payment (or later receive a payment) of one of these benefits on May 25, 2022:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
If you get a qualifying disability benefit from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and a qualifying disability benefit from DWP, you will get one £150 payment from DWP only.
£300 Pensioner Cost of Living payment
If you are entitled to Winter Fuel Payment for 2022/23 you may receive an extra £300 on your claim. In order to be eligible, you must be of State Pension age (66 or above) during the qualifying week of 19-25 September 2022.
£400 energy rebate
All households in the UK will be automatically eligible for the £400 discount which will be paid by energy suppliers to customers over a six-month period, starting from October 2022. The discount will be applied as follows:
- October - £66
- November - £66
- December - £67
- January - £67
- February - £67
- March - £67
The payment will be delivered as a discount on energy bills, rather than straight-up cash. If you are a prepayment meter customer, you will be provided with redeemable vouchers or Special Action Messages in the first week of each month which can be redeemed at any top-up point.
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