With the cost of living crisis leading to financial hardship across the UK, millions of people are relying on extra support to pay their bills. The Bank of England has warned the UK is facing the worst recession since the financial crisis with inflation at a 40-year high and people struggling to cope with rising energy bills, mortgage rates and supermarket prices.
Both the UK and Welsh governments have had to intervene to offer extra support to those hardest hit by the crisis. Westminster has announced it will roll out a £324 cost of living payment to those on means-tested benefits next month, the second in a support payment worth £650. UK councils have already sent a £150 cost of living payment to millions of households while people are also being offered hundreds of pounds off their energy bills this winter.
With so many dates for payments coming up, it's easy to lose track of when to expect your money, so we've broken down all the upcoming dates for each cost of living payment from now until Christmas if you live in Wales. To get all the latest money-saving news straight to your inbox twice a week sign up here.
Read more: What we know about mortgage rates, when they might go down, and how long you should you fix for
September/October - £150 disability cost of living payment
Around six million disabled people are eligible for a £150 cost of living payment. The one-off lump sum, originally announced in May, is being paid automatically to people who receive certain disability benefits. The Department for Work and Pensions began rolling it out from September 20 to people claiming the following benefits:
- Attendance allowance
- Constant attendance allowance
- Disability living allowance
- Personal independence payment
- Armed Forces independence payment
- War pension mobility supplement
The government later confirmed operational issues had led to a delay in sending out the payment to most claimants, and said the majority would receive it in early October, so you should either have your money or be expecting it in the coming days. The payment is automatic so you don't need to do anything in order to get it.
October to March - £400 energy discount
From October, every household in England, Scotland and Wales will receive £400, paid over six months starting from October 2022. So you’ll get the following each month:
- October 2022 - £66
- November 2022 - £66
- December 2022 £67
- January 2023 £67
- February 2023 £67
- March 2023 £67
The £400 discount will be administered by suppliers and paid to customers. There is no need to contact energy suppliers as it will be paid automatically. Smart prepayment meter customers will see the discount credited directly to their smart prepayment meters in the first week of each month of delivery. You can read more about when and how you'll get your discount here.
November 8 to 23 - £324 cost of living payment
The government confirmed this week that millions of households across the UK will get their second instalment of the £650 cost of living payment, worth £324, by November 23. The first payments are due to land from November 8. Over eight million families have already received the first cost of living payment, worth £326, which was sent out from 14 July this year.
In order to qualify for the autumn cost of living payment, recipients must be claiming universal credit, income-related employment support allowance, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income support and pension credit, child tax credit or working tax credit. Anyone who is eligible for the cost of living payment will receive the money automatically and does not need to apply.
If you are receiving tax credits and qualify, you will receive the payment later than everyone else. According to the DWP: "Payments from HMRC for those on tax credits only will follow shortly after each to avoid duplicate payments." You can find out more on the government website here.
November/December - winter fuel payment and pensioner cost of living payment
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual, tax-free sum of up to £300 paid by the UK Government to eligible households during winter. The support is intended to help those over the state pension age pay their heating bills during the coldest months and most payments are made in November and December.
If you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023, you will get an extra £300 for your household paid with your normal payment from November 2022. This is in addition to any cost of living payment you get with your benefit or tax credits. You'll get your money in November or December. You can find out how much you're eligible for here.
December-February - £200 cost of living payment
The Welsh Government has announced it is extending its fuel support scheme meaning 400,000 households in Wales are set to get £200 towards keeping their homes warm this autumn and winter. The idea is to provide people with support over the winter as the cost of living crisis escalates.
Previously around 166,000 households on universal credit, legacy means-tested benefit, and working tax credits benefited from the £200. This has now been expanded so more groups are eligible. Those claiming the following payments will now be eligible for the scheme:
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Child tax credits
-
Pension credits
-
Disability benefits
-
Carers' allowance
-
Contributory benefits such as jobseeker's allowance and employment and support allowance (ESA)
-
Those receiving help from the council tax reduction scheme
You will need to apply to your local authority to get this payment and applications are open as of September 26. While it hasn't been confirmed exactly when the money will be given, eligible households were most recently given between December last year and February this year to apply for the payment, and it is likely the money will be distributed in the coming months. You can find out more about the Welsh Government's fuel support scheme here.
December - Universal credit Christmas bonus
People on universal credit and other means-tested benefits will be given a £10 Christmas bonus to help with bills, it was reported last week. The additional money, usually paid at the start of December, will come on top of your usual benefit payment for that month. It will not need to be repaid.
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