Millions of low-income families have started to receive a £301 cost-of-living payment this week to help with rising food costs and soaring energy bills.
More than 400,000 households in the North East are among the 8m means-tested benefits claimants UK-wide, including those on Universal Credit, who will receive the money between now and 17 May. A further million who claim Tax Credits will get their money between May 2-9. The £301 payment is the first of three which make up the £900 DWP support package announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt during November’s Autumn Statement
Further almost identical payments will come in the autumn and next spring, although the exact dates are yet to be announced. The cost of living payments were originally introduced to help struggling families cope with spiralling gas and electricity bills, but as we head into warmer months and food prices rise at their fastest rate for 45 years, many families may end up spending the extra money putting meals on the table.
