The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has responded to an online petition calling on the UK Government to give all disabled people and unpaid carers the £650 means-tested cost of living payment which will be paid in two lump sums starting from next week.
The petition, created last month on the petitions-parliament website by Abigail Broomfield, highlights how these two groups - some 12.5 million in total across the UK - have higher utility bills and food costs. More than 17,410 people have shown their support for the petition which states: “Disabled people should be included alongside carers in the £650 one off payment as part of the Cost of Living support package. We have larger utilities bills and food costs when compared to non-disabled people. We rely on these utilities and food to stay alive.”
However, while the DWP “recognises that disabled people face extra costs” this year due to the ongoing crisis, it has no plans to change eligibility for the current financial support package worth £37 billion, which includes £15 billion in “targeted support for those with the greatest need”.
The DWP responded: “The [UK] Government recognises that disabled people face extra costs which is why 6 million disabled people who are in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit will receive a one-off Disability Cost of Living Payment worth £150. Households will receive a payment for each eligible disabled person.”
It also pointed out that many disabled people will be eligible for both the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment and the £650 Cost of Living Payment, while disabled pensioners will also benefit from the £300 increase in Winter Fuel Payments from this November.
Addressing financial support for unpaid carers, DWP said: “Nearly 60% of carers on low incomes who are of working age and on Carer’s Allowance claim either an income-related benefit through which they will be entitled to the £650 or a qualifying disability payment meaning they are entitled to the £150 disability one off payment.”
It also highlighted that the package of support is in addition to the £1.3 billion investment announced in 2021 to help those with disabilities get into and stay in work and ongoing work on reform through the Health and Disability White Paper due to be published later this year.
You can read the full response to the petition, which closes on December 6, 2022, on the petitions-parliament website, here.
Eligibility for £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment
The £150 ‘Disability Cost of Living Payment’ will be paid to people receiving these 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
Payments will be made in September, you do not need to apply for it - if you are eligible, it will automatically be paid to you.
Eligibility for £650 Cost of Living Payment
Disabled people also receiving one of the means-tested benefits below will receive the £650 payment too:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
If you receive a DWP means-tested benefit and Tax Credits, DWP will pay the £650 in two lump sums. The first for £326 will be paid automatically from July 14 - the second payment for £324 will be paid on a date, yet to be announced, in the Autumn.
If you only receive Tax Credits, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will pay you in two instalments - once in the Autumn and another in the Winter. No specific dates have been released yet.
Full details of all Cost of Living Payments can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
To keep up to date with the latest benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group here, follow Record Money on Twitter here, or subscribe to our twice weekly newsletter here.
