The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed that around six million people across the UK will receive the one-off £150 disability cost of living payment from this month. In a new update on the official Cost of Living Payment guidance, DWP has now clarified that those in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit will be paid automatically from September 20 and that “most people will receive their payment by the beginning of October 2022”.
It’s important to note that this is paid per claim, so if two people in a household are claiming any of the qualifying benefits, they will each receive separate payments of £150. The DWP said this payment will help disabled people with the rising cost of living, acknowledging the higher disability-related costs they often face, such as care and mobility needs.
For disabled people on low-incomes, this payment comes on top of other means-tested cost of living payments totalling £650, plus £400 for all households to help with energy bills to be deducted over a six-month period from October, and an extra £150 for properties in Council Tax bands A to D.
Over eight million eligible households in receipt of a means-tested benefit received the first of two automatic cost of living payments of £326 from 14 July. The second means-tested payment of £324 will be issued at some point in the autumn - no specific date has been announced yet.
Commenting on the upcoming £150 payment, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Chloe Smith, said: “We know disabled people can face additional costs, which is why we are acting to help reduce the financial pressures on the most vulnerable.
“This £150 disability payment is on top of the £1,200 most low-income benefit claimants will also receive and alongside wider support targeted at disabled people, including help with transport and prescription costs.”
Ms Smith also urged people to check the Help for Households site on GOV.UK to make sure they are getting all the support they are entitled to claim - find out more here.
£150 if you get certain disability benefits
You may get a lump sum payment of £150 if you’re getting any award level for one of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
Eligibility
You must have received a payment (or later receive a payment) of one of these qualifying benefits for May 25, 2022 to get the £150 payment.
If you get a qualifying disability benefit from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and a qualifying disability benefit from DWP, you will get a Disability Cost of Living Payment from DWP only.
DWP also advised: “For those awaiting confirmation of their disability benefits on 25 May, or who are waiting to be assessed for eligibility to receive disability benefits, the process may take longer but payments will still be automatic.”
When you will get paid
Payments will be made from September 20, 2022.
DWP said: "You’ll be paid the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment automatically from 20 September 2022. Most people will receive their payment by the beginning of October 2022.
"Payments will be made to people who get a qualifying disability from DWP before payments to people who get a qualifying benefit from the Ministry of Defence."
The cost of living payments from the UK Government are part of a £37 billion package of support, which will see millions of households receive at least £1,200 this year to help cover rising costs.
The UK Government has also expanded support for the Household Support Fund in England, which helps people with food and energy bills, with an extra £421 million – for October 22 to March 23, and topped up funding by £79 million for devolved nations - the total value of this support now stands at £1.5 billion.
This is all in addition to changes to the Universal Credit taper rate and work allowances worth £1,000 a year on average for 1.7 million working claimants, a rise in the National Living Wage to £9.50 an hour, and a tax cut for around 30 million workers through a rise in National Insurance contribution thresholds.
Commenting last week, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi said: “We know that rising prices faced by many countries around the world are a significant worry for many people here in the UK, especially those most vulnerable to additional costs”
“This announcement that disabled people will begin to receive an additional £150 payment from the end of September reinforces our commitment to help UK households through the challenging times ahead.”
He added: “This payment is in addition to further help households can expect over the coming months including a second cost of living payment of £324 for households on means-tested benefits, £300 for pensioners this winter and £400 discount on energy bills for every household. This is all part of our significant £37 billion support package.”
To keep up to date with the cost of living crisis, join in the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out three times each week - sign up here.
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