Last week, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced a £15 billion support package to help households struggling amid the cost of living crisis.
Following the news that the energy price cap is set to rise by around £800 in October, Sunak unveiled a range of one-off payments available to those most vulnerable.
While almost every household in the UK will receive a £400 discount on their energy bills later this year, the other support payments are only available to people claiming certain benefits.
READ MORE — DWP urges pensioners to apply for 'woefully underclaimed' £650 boost
Millions of individuals and families most affected by soaring bills will be given £1,200 of financial aid throughout 2022.
Here is a rundown of the financial support available this year amid the cost of living crisis, and who is eligible for it.
£650 payment for people on means-tested benefits
When it will be paid: July and autumn
This 'Cost of Living Payment' will be divided into two separate sums, the first of which will be paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in July.
While a date for the second payment hasn't been set, it will be sometime in the autumn.
The payment will be available to those claiming any of the following benefits:
In order to be eligible for the July payment, you must already be claiming one of these benefits, or have started a claim that is later successful prior to May 25.
The payments are exempt from tax, and will affect neither your benefit cap nor your existing benefits.
They will be paid directly to households across the UK.
£150 one-off payment for people on disability benefits
When it will be paid: September
This September payment will only be available to those claiming any of the following disability benefits:
Similar to the £650 payment, in order to qualify you must already be claiming one of the benefits, or have started a claim that is later successful prior to May 25.
Those who are eligible for both this payment and the £650 payment will receive both — though they will be issued separately.
Again, it is tax-free and will have no impact on your benefit cap or other benefits.
The payment will be paid directly to eligible people across the UK.
£400 energy bill discount
When it will be paid: October
All UK households will get a £400 discount on their energy bill in October, replacing the previously announced £200 'loan-not-loan'.
Every household with a domestic energy meter will receive the one-off discount starting from October.
Customers who pay via direct debit or credit will have the money credited to their account, while those with a pre-payment meter will have the discount applied to their meter or paid via a voucher.
The payment will be paid directly to energy suppliers, and you do not need to apply for it.
£300 one-off payment for people of State Pension age
When it will be paid: November or December
This payment will be made alongside the annual Winter Fuel Payment, which is available to people born on or before 26 September 1955 to help with heating bills.
The £300 additional payment, which will only be issued to people of State Pension age who receive the Winter Fuel Payment, will help offset soaring energy bills this winter.
It will be paid in addition to any other one-off payments you are eligible for this year, and once again is tax-free.
The payment will be paid directly to eligible households.
However, in some cases, even if you are above the State Pension age, you may not qualify — find out more on GOV.UK here.
