Chancellor Rishi Sunak recently announced a £15 billion package of additional financial support for millions of households across the UK finding it increasingly more difficult to make their money stretch to cover the rising cost of living.
The new package is in addition to the £22 billion previously announced by the UK Government in February and now means that millions of the most vulnerable households across the country will get £1,200 of support this year along with a £400 non-repayable discount on their electricity bill - paid directly to suppliers and discounted from bills over six months.
Around six million people across the UK who receive disability benefits will get a one-off cost of living payment of £150 by the end of September and for those also in receipt of a mean-tested benefit, they will also receive a £650, made in two instalments - the first from July, the second in the autumn.
Qualifying disability benefits
The £150 ‘Disability Cost of Living Payment’ will be paid to people receiving 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.
Nobody needs to apply for the £150 payment, it will be paid automatically.
Eligibility for £650 one-off payment
Disable people also receiving one of the means-tested benefits below will also receive the £650 payment:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
The qualifying date is the same as before - May 25, 2022.
If you receive a DWP means-tested benefit and Tax Credits, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will pay the £650 in two lump sums starting in the autumn.
Full details of all Cost of Living Payments can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
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