Approximately six million eligible Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) claimants will begin receiving a £150 cash boost amid the worsening cost of living crisis.
People who claim certain qualifying disability benefits will be issued the one-off payment as part of the UK Government's £37 billion support package. This also includes the Energy Price Guarantee and cost of living payments totalling £650.
According to the DWP, claimants who were receiving a qualifying disability benefit on May 25 will get the £150 automatically. The UK Government department said that the "vast majority" will get the payment by the start of October.
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The one-off boost will help those with a disability or long-term physical or mental health condition amid the worsening cost of living crisis. It is administered to acknowledge "the higher disability-related costs they often face, such as for care and mobility needs".
As part of the UK Government's £37 billion support package, millions of households across Scotland and the UK will receive at least £1,200 throughout the remainder of 2022. This money will help offset rising costs, and comes after Prime Minister Liz Truss's announcement of an Energy Price Guarantee, which will limit the amount households across the nation spend on their energy bills.
Work and Pensions Secretary Chloe Smith said: "We know disabled people face additional costs and this government is listening and taking decisive action to protect the most vulnerable in our society. In addition to the £150 Disability Cost of Living payment, households will save an average of £1,000 a year through our new Energy Price Guarantee and the lowest-income households will receive at least £1,200 to help with the rising cost of living this year.
"This multi-billion-pound package of support reinforces our commitment to help UK households, particularly those with disability challenges, through the tough times ahead."
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng said: "The government is providing vital support to shield the most vulnerable from rising prices caused by global economic challenges. From today, a one-off £150 payment will automatically land in over six million disabled peoples’ accounts. This is in addition to the decisive action we took last week to hold down energy bills over the next two years, saving the average household £1,000 a year.
"The government is standing behind people this winter, and in the longer term we are focusing on driving economic growth – the only way to permanently boost everyone’s living standards."
Who is eligible for the one-off £150 disability cost of living payment?
In order to receive the cash boost, you must receive at least one of the following benefits:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Scottish Disability Benefits (Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement.
Those who had confirmed payment of their disability benefit for May 25 are expected to be paid shortly after the payment window opens. For those awaiting confirmation of their disability benefits on May 25, or who are waiting to be assessed for eligibility to receive disability benefits, the process may take longer but payments will still be automatic.
You must have received a payment (or later receive a payment) of one of these qualifying benefits for 25 May 2022 to get the payment.
More information can be found on the GOV.UK website.
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