With the country in the midst of a cost of living crisis, the government has been scheduling payments to help those most in need with their finances. Food, energy and petrol prices, paired with high inflation in the UK, has all been adding to the struggle for many households in the country.
And, while some government programmes which had been running last month and further back, will be coming to an end this month, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) still have ways to help households, particularly as weather forecasters predict yet more cold weather even as we head into Spring, the Liverpool Echo reports.
From cold weather payments to cost of living payments, help with energy bills and more, there are a number of schemes and payments you could be entitled to. Here is a full list of the financial help you could receive in March...
Read more: DWP: PIP monthly payments of £627 a month if you have one of 70 conditions
Cold weather payments
Towards the end of March last year, parts of the South of England encountered a number of snowy days during the Spring, which may have come as a bit of a shock to some. This year, there is more snow predicted in certain parts of the UK this month, meaning that some households could be eligible for cold weather payments.
Until the end of the month, you could receive £25 for every seven days of freezing weather - weather that is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below. You may qualify if you receive one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Other circumstances can also be considered, such as whether you have young children living with you. If you’re eligible, then the payment should be made automatically.
Energy Bills Support Scheme
The Energy Bills Support Scheme was introduced to help provide relief to households with the cost of energy. You should get a £400 discount to help with your energy bills over winter 2022 to 2023.
A sum of £66 should have already been paid to you in October and November, with £67 paid to you in December 2022, and in January and February 2023. The last of these payments is due in March.
All households with a domestic electricity connection in England, Scotland and Wales are eligible for the support. It should appear as a discount on your bills or a refund to your bank account.
If you use a prepayment meter, it will either be credited directly to your smart prepayment meter, or you’ll be sent redeemable vouchers by text, email or post, if you’re on a traditional meter. You may also receive an automatic credit when you top up at your usual top-up point.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
For eligible people, a one-off discount of £150 for energy bills is available and should have been applied by the end of the month. In England and Wales, you qualify if you are:
- In receipt of the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- On a low income with high energy costs
While it’s generally applied to your electricity bill, the Gov.uk site says: "You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out."
First 2023 Cost of Living Payment
Early in February, it was announced that over eight million families would continue receiving Cost of Living payments worth £900. The first of these payments, £301, was reported as being paid ‘during Spring 2023’ – meaning it could be paid in March. Eligible parties should receive the payment automatically.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, said: "These payments are the next part of the significant support we are providing through this challenging time, with millions of vulnerable households receiving £900 directly into their bank accounts this financial year alongside additional help for pensioners and those with disabilities." The payment schedule is as follows:
- £301 for people on an eligible low income benefit, to be paid during spring 2023
- £150 for people on an eligible disability benefit, to be paid during summer 2023
- £300 for people on an eligible low income benefit, to be paid during autumn 2023
- £300 for pensioner households, to be paid during winter 2023 to 2024
- £299 for people on an eligible low income benefit, to be paid in spring 2024
Read next:
- DWP claimants could get up to £8,983 tax-free this year, full list of increases
- DWP cost of living spring payment: Those not eligible and why
- DWP cost of living payments: 8 million families to receive first £301 this spring
- DWP list of 21 health conditions that PIP claimants could get up to £4,800 for
- DWP: Universal Credit threshold sees new rules which could affect working hours and benefit payments
