When Jeremy Hunt delivered his Autumn Statement last month, a series of new cost of living payments where revealed with the aim of helping struggling households across the UK. The £26billion package included details of payments of £150 for people on disability benefits, £300 for pensioner households and £900 for those on means-tested benefits.
However, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has indicated that some groups of people on means-tested benefits via DWP or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) won't be eligible for the extra support in 2023-24. The news was reported by Nottinghamshire Live sister publication, Daily Record.
The new cost of living support package, which is expected to be paid to recipients in two instalments, was questioned by Labour’s shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, Jonathan Ashworth. He asked DWP if it will take steps to ensure that the £900 cost of living payment will not exclude benefit claimants whose Universal Credit payments have been reduced to a nil award as a result of a sanction.
