Millions of people across the UK will be getting hundreds of pounds of cash from the government to help with the cost of living.
This includes people paying energy bills, council tax, the elderly, disabled, those claiming means-tested benefits and anyone struggling.
However, this money is being handed out in six ways, at different times and to different people.
To make matters more confusing, many people will be eligible to get more than one pot of cash.
To complicate things further, the details of the schemes have been changing - especially with updates about when the cash is being paid out.
No wonder our mailbags at The Mirror are bursting with questions about what how much money readers will be able to get.
To clear things up, this is our guide on everything we know so far about the government cost of living help - including what you'll get and when.
£650 cost of living payment
What is it?
The cash is meant to help hard-up households with the cost of living, and is the biggest single cash pot announced so far.
Who gets it?
It will be awarded to roughly eight million households who get these means-tested benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based jobseekers allowance
Income support
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Working tax credit
- Child tax credit
- Pension credit
When will I get it?
The first half of the payment, £326, is being paid from July 14 until July 31.
The second £324 payment is expected to be sent in the autumn - we don't yet know exactly when.
How do I get it?
You should get the payment automatically, provided you got one of the above benefits - or started a successful claim for one - by May 25, 2022.
Are there any exceptions?
Yes - four of them.
If you get Housing Benefit and no other benefit, you are not eligible for the £650.
That is despite Housing Benefit being means-tested.
Chancellor Rishi Runak said the government can only track you down to give you the money if you claim other benefits too.
The Chancellor has advised struggling households who only claim Housing Benefit to turn to the Household Support Fund instead - and we explain what that is below.
The second exception is if you get child tax credit, pension credit or working tax credit.
Those on tax credits will be paid their first payment from the autumn, and their second payment from winter - we don't yet know exactly when.
The third exception is if you are a joint benefit claimant, where you will get one payment of £650 per couple, not two.
The Government advises: “If you have a joint claim with a partner, you will get one payment of £650 for both of you, paid in two lump sums from July 2022 and in autumn 2022, if eligible.”
Finally, anyone on contribution-based benefits, where payouts depend on National Insurance contributions over a set period, won't receive the £650.
This means not all claims for Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance will be accepted for the payment.
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance is on the list of benefits approved for the £650 by the Government, but not contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.
Similarly, you'll be eligible if you claim income-based Jobseeker's Allowance but not contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance.
£400 energy bill help
What is it?
A £400 discount off energy bills as part of cost of living support announced by Rishi Sunak.
Who gets it?
Technically, all 28million households in the UK with an electricity meter - but there are some exceptions below.
When will I get it?
The discount will be applied to energy bills from October 2022 to March 2023.
How do I get it?
If you pay by direct debit you will get the cash credited to your account.
People with pre-payment meters will have the cash put onto their meter, or will get a voucher.
Are there any exceptions?
Yes.
If your property does not have a meter, or you are not responsible for the meter, the money will be paid to whoever does control it.
For example, people living in caravan parks and houses of multiple occupation may pay for energy as part of the costs they pay their landlord or freeholder.
But the landlord or freeholder is in line to get the £400 discount - not them.
There is no obligation for landlords or freeholders to pass the cash on.
£300 pensioner cost of living payment
What is it?
A one-off payment for households with someone of state pension age living there, to help with the cost of living - especially energy bills, which tend to be higher for this group.
Who gets it?
Around 8million households.
To be eligible, a home must have someone above state pension age living there who also gets the annual winter fuel payment.
You should get winter fuel payment this year if you were born on or before September 25, 1956 and have lived in the UK for at least one day between September 19 and 25.
The £300 payment is for households rather than individual pensioners.
This means that you won’t get another £300 for every person above state pension age living in a particular household.
When will I get it?
From autum to December - the exact dates have not been announced yet.
How do I get it?
If you’ve reached state pension age, you should get your winter fuel payment automatically, and the £300 payment will be made in addition to this.
The £300 pensioner cost of living payment will be made to eligible households via direct debit.
Are there any exceptions?
Not that we know of - but contact mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk if you run into trouble.
£150 disability cost of living payment
What is it?
Millions of people who claim certain types of disability benefits will geta one-off £150 payment to help cover the cost of rising bills.
Who gets it?
Six million people getting these disability benefits:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Adult Disability Payment (Scotland only)
- Child Disability Payment (Scotland only)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
To be eligible for the £150 one-off payment, claimants must have been in receipt of one of the benefits listed above on May 25, 2022.
When will I get it?
By the end of September 2022.
How do I get it?
Nobody needs to apply for the £150 payment, it will be paid automatically.
Are there any exceptions?
Provided you get the above benefits, no - but contact mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk if you run into trouble.
£150 council tax rebate
What is it?
A one-off payment worth £150 to help with energy costs.
Who gets it?
Any household in council tax bands A to D as of April 2022 - 80% of all homes.
When will I get it?
From April 2022 until September 30, 2022.
How do I get it?
Those who pay by direct debit don't need to apply for the discount, as it should be issued to your bank account automatically.
Are there any exceptions?
If you don't pay by direct debit, you won't get the cash automatically. your council should be writing to you to explain the next steps.
There may also be a link on their website where you can apply for the rebate.
You can find your local council through this page on the Gov.uk website.
If you’re in a council tax property with a band E, F, G and H (or I as well, in Wales) you won’t be eligible for the payment.
Housing Support Fund payments
What is it?
A £1.5billion pot of cash meant to help anyone struggling during the cost of living crisis.
The money is also the Government's answer to anyone in need who will not get the above pots of cash.
Who gets it?
The money comes from the government, but is being handed out by local councils.
However, the support does vary between councils - as well as the eligibility criteria.
Some councils are giving out cash, and others vouchers to spend in places like supermarkets.
When will I get it?
This varies between councils, but cash and vouchers are already being given out.
How do I get it?
To access the Household Support Fund, you need to contact your local authority directly.
They will give you information about who is eligible, what support they can give, and what information they require from you.
Most of the time, you will need to be on a low income or claim certain benefits to receive any help.
You can find your local authority here: Gov.uk.
To give you an idea of what you could get, residents in Barnsley were previously offered £200 in vouchers to spend at supermarkets and shops including Aldi, Asda, Argos and Currys.
North Yorkshire residents were able to claim a £125 voucher to help pay for food and other essentials.
Are there any exceptions?
Not exactly - only that each council varies in how it hands the cash out.
