The cost of living crisis is impacting people all over the country and things are sadly going to get worse.
Millions of people are already struggling hugely with soaring energy bills and surging inflation making the things we buy much more expensive. This week the Bank of England said the country is now heading into a brutal recession.
Things will get even harder for families and households in October when the energy price cap - the maximum amount suppliers can charge customers for each unit of energy - will go up again.
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Back in May, then Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a number of measures of support he hoped would help to alleviate the huge financial pressures being faced by people. While Mr Sunak is no longer in the government, those support measures remain. We have rounded them up below and had a look at when people should expect to receive the help.
One-off £650 cost-of-living payment
In May, Mr Sunak announced that around 8 million people who currently receive means-tested benefits like universal credit would get a one-off cost-of-living payment of £650, payable in two instalments in July and the autumn. The money should go straight into people's bank accounts. They do not need to apply. So these people should have had their first instalment already and will receive the second half in September.
However, some people will qualify for the payment through tax credit or working tax credit and these payments will also be split into two and paid in autumn and winter. The breakdown for who will get what and when is below.
Universal credit - £326 Between July 14 and 31 for most people and £324 in autumn 2022
Income-based Jobseeker's allowance - £326 between July 14 and 31 for most people and £324 autumn 2022
Income-related employment and support allowance - £326 between July 14 and 31 for most people and £324 in autumn 2022
Income support - £326 between July 14 and 31 for most people and £324 in autumn 2022
Pension credit - £326 between July 14 and 31 for most people and £324 in autumn 2022
Tax credits - £326 from autumn 2022 and £324 from winter 2022
£350 pensioner payment
Back in May Mr Sunak also announced that pensioners would receive a one-off £300 payment which would be paid automatically. If you qualify for a winter fuel payment for winter 2022-23 then you will get an extra £300 for your household paid with the usual winter fuel payment from November 2022 onwards. This is in addition to any of the other cost of living payments you may qualify for.
The full amount of winter fuel payment you will get for winter 2022 to 2023 depends on circumstances. Amounts for winter 2022 to 2023 are:
Born between September 26, 1942 and 25 September 25, 1956:
You qualify and live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify): £500
You qualify and live with someone under 80 who also qualifies: £250
You qualify and live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies: £250
You qualify and live with a partner who qualifies, and either of you gets certain benefits: £500 - only one of you will get the payment
You qualify and live with someone (not your partner) who qualifies, and either of you gets certain benefits: £500 - you’ll both get the payment
You qualify, live in a care home and do not get certain benefits: £250
Born on or before September 25, 1942:
You qualify and live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify: £600
You qualify and live with someone under 80 who also qualifies: £350
You qualify and live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies: £300
You qualify and live with a partner who qualifies, and either of you gets certain benefits: £600 - only one of you will get the payment
You qualify and live with someone (not your partner) who qualifies, and either of you gets certain benefits: £600 - you’ll both get the payment
Disability cost of living payment
Around six million people who receive disability benefits will get a one-off cost of living payment of £150 by the end of September. It will be given to those on the following benefits:
- Attendance allowance
- Constant attendance allowance
- Disability living allowance for adults
- Disability living allowance for children
- Personal independence payment
- Armed Forces independence payment
- War pension mobility supplement
You must have received a payment (or later receive a payment) of one of these qualifying benefits for May 25 to get the payment. Those who receive means tested benefits will receive the £150 on top of the £650 cost of living payment.
£400 energy bills discount
As part of the cost of living support package, every household in England, Scotland and Wales will receive £400 in energy bill discounts. The support will be issued to some 29 million households in six instalments over a period of six months to try and ensure people have financial support throughout the cold winter months.
The £400 discount is non-repayable and all households in England, Scotland and Wales with a domestic electricity connection are eligible to receive the support. The government has said there is no need for households to contact energy suppliers concerning this as customers will be automatically eligible.
The discount will be administered by energy suppliers and paid to households over a six month period from October 2022.
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