We have rounded up the financial help still available as several support schemes come to an end. Whilst the weather may be getting warmer and radiators are being switched off, millions of people across the country are still struggling with the cost of living crisis.
The government's Cold Weather payment ended on April 1, which saw some households get £25 for every seven day period of very cold weather between November 1 and March 31, but is due to restart on November 1, 2023. The Warm Home Discount expired in March 2023, which had allowed households to get £150 off their electricity bill for winter.
The Energy Bill Support scheme has also ended. However, despite many schemes coming to an end, some sources of help have been extended and new ones have also been created to help households tackle rising bills.
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Energy Price Guarantee
Whilst the Energy Price Guarantee was due to end in April, the government has extended it to June 30. According to GOV.UK this guarantee "protects customers from increases in energy costs by limiting the amount suppliers can charge per unit of energy used."
It has been reported that this additional three months will bring a typical household energy bill for dual-fuel gas and electricity down to "around £2,500 per year in Great Britain" and to "around £2,109 per year in Northern Ireland." By the end of June the EPG would have saved a typical household around £1,100 since the scheme first began in October when compares to undiscounted energy prices under the price cap.
New Cost of Living payment
More than 8 million families across the UK are also set to continue receiving direct financial support from governments, with households receiving the first payment of £301 this spring. GOV.UK explain that this "payment is the first of five direct cost of living payments for the most vulnerable households, including pensioners and disabled people, with the total amount of support reaching up to £1,350."
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt said: "High inflation, exacerbated by Putin’s illegal war, is hurting economies across the world and making people poorer. These payments are the next part of the significant support we are providing through this challenging time, with millions of vulnerable households receiving £900 directly into their bank accounts this financial year alongside additional help for pensioners and those with disabilities.
"This latest payment will provide some temporary relief, but the best thing we can do to help families and businesses is to stick to the plan to halve inflation this year." Qualifying households will receive the payments as follows.
- £301 – First 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2023
- £150 – 2023 Disability Payment – during Summer 2023
- £300 – Second 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment – during Autumn 2023
- £300 – 2023 Pensioner Payment – during Winter 2023/4
- £299 – Third 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2024
Department for Work and Pensions Benefits
Due to the three bank holidays to occur in May, the date that individuals receive payments from the DWP could be different. Those expecting to receive a payment for universal credit, state pension, pension credit, disability living allowance, personal independence payment, attendance allowance, carer’s allowance, employment support allowance, income support or jobseeker’s allowance will receive it one working day earlier.
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