Cash-strapped Brits could receive up to £1,350 in cost of living payments next year as millions struggle to make ends meet.
The government has announced a new £900 boost for more than eight million UK households on means-tested benefits in the 2023/24 financial year.
On top of this, more than eight million pensioners will see another £300 land in their bank accounts during the same period.
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A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: “Pensioners are disproportionately impacted by higher energy costs, many are unable to increase their income through work, and many low-income pensioner households do not claim the means tested benefits they are entitled to, so offering universal support for this group is the right thing to do.”
It comes as some six million people on non-means-tested disability benefits will see £150 land in their bank accounts in the 2023/24 year, meaning some households could see a total of £1,350 in extra support.
The emergency package will see some £26 billion set aside to help those most in need. All payments are tax-free and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
The £900 payment will not count towards the benefit cap, however it is not clear whether the same applies to the £300 and £150 payments.
Details of those who can claim the additional support are below.
Households receiving the following benefits are eligible for the £900 payment:
Universal Credit
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
Pension Credit
Working Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit
People able to claim the £150 disability payment include those in receipt of:
Disability Living Allowance
Personal Independence Payment
Adult Disability Payment
Child Disability Payment
Attendance Allowance
Armed Forces Independence Payment
Constant Attendance Allowance
War Pension Mobility Supplement
Specific dates for the payments have not yet been confirmed.
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