Millions of households around the UK will start receiving the second cost of living payment in time for winter.
Bill payers are expected to feel the pinch this winter as energy bills increased in October, despite the energy price guarantee and energy bill discount. For those on certain DWP benefits, they will receive extra support through the cost of living payments which is paid in two £324 payments.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed more than eight million households will get the payments from November 8 to 23. Meanwhile, those claiming Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits - with no other means-tested benefit - will receive the money between November 23 and 30.
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But as the Daily Record reports, these aren't the only financial support payments that are available and it's important for everyone to be aware of what they are and when they are due. If you need to apply, you can do it now and not miss out on money you are entitled to and could help you this winter.
November
£150 Warm Home Discount Scheme
The Warm Home Discount Scheme officially opens on November 14, but some energy suppliers are taking applications now. The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill made directly to your supplier, between October 2022 and March 2023.
It must be noted that the eligibility rules have changed for this year and if you automatically qualified in the past, you may need to make a claim this year, so it's worth getting in touch with your energy provider.
The list of energy suppliers participating in Scotland for winter 2022/23 has not been updated on GOV.UK yet, but the £150 discount is currently open to Scots households with British Gas, Scottish Gas, EDF, Octopus Energy and Shell.
If you live in Scotland, you qualify if you either:
- get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit - known as the ‘core group’
- are on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme - known as the ‘broader group’
Full details on eligibility are available on GOV.UK here.
£324 cost of living payment - DWP benefits
Between November 8 and 23, eight million households will receive the second instalment of the means-tested cost of living payment. £324 will land in a small number of bank accounts on the 8th, DWP have said, but the majority will be paid from the 9th onwards.
People only claiming Tax Credits will receive their payment for £324 shortly after the payment window closes, but no specific date has been given yet.
For full details on eligible benefits and qualifying dates.
£300 pensioner cost of living payment / Winter Fuel Payments
The one off £300 payment is being added to the annual Winter Fuel Payment which will arrive in November and December for eligible pensioner households - no specific payment windows have been given yet.
It is not taxable and does not affect eligibility for other benefits. However, the full amount you will get for winter 2022 to 2023 depends on your household circumstances.
£66 energy discount
The £400 energy bill support scheme is broken up into a number of instalments and November's payment should be issued through the month. This will be £66.
Scottish Child Payment increases to £25 per week
From November 14, the Scottish Child Payment will increase from £20 to £25 and the eligibility will widen to include children up to the age of 16. For existing claimants, payments will automatically increase and backdated to the point of application for new claims.
Current processing time is 31 working days, so making a new claim on November 14 should see first payments arrive in early January.
£214 Child Winter Heating Assistance
Child Winter Heating Assistance is an annual payment of £214 for youngsters in Scotland on disability benefits to help with increased costs over the colder months.
The money is paid once a year and the Scottish Government has confirmed that the payment for winter 2022/23 will be £214.10 per eligible child or young person.
Children and young people in Scotland can get the heating assistance payment if they are under 19 years old and in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits between September 19 and September 25. Payments started arriving at the end of October and will continue through November.
Qualifying benefits:
- Child Disability Payment - highest rate of the care component
- Disability Living Allowance for children - highest rate of the care component
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - enhanced daily living component
- Adult Disability Payment - enhanced rate of the daily living component
£324 cost of living payment - Tax Credits claimants
HMRC recently confirmed that the payment of £324 will be paid to people in receipt of Working Tax Credits or Child tax Credit only from November 23 until November 30.
They said the payments are arriving after the DWP cost of living payment to avoid duplication.
December
£10 Christmas bonus from DWP
This is a one-off, tax-free £10 payment automatically made to people in receipt of State Pension or 20 DWP benefits if they meet the eligibility during a specific qualifying period, which is typically the first full week of December.
Qualifying benefits:
- Adult Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Disability Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim)
- Disability Living Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
- Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
- Mobility Supplement
- Pension Credit - the guarantee element
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
- Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
- Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- War Disablement Pension at State Pension age
- War Widow’s Pension
- Widowed Mother’s Allowance
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance
- Widow’s Pension
Find out more about the £10 DWP bonus here.
£245 Carer’s Allowance Supplement
For unpaid carers in Scotland who were in receipt of Carer’s Allowance on October 10, 2022 - the December qualifying date, will receive a one-off payment for £245.70.
No specific date has been given yet, but last year’s payments were made on December 15, so it may be round about the same time this year too.
£260 Bridging Payments for families in Scotland
All 32 local councils are delivering payments of £260 on behalf of the Scottish Government ahead of the Schools stopping for the Christmas holidays to children in receipt of free school meals.
Most payments are expected to be made before December 23.
£67 energy discount
The third instalment of the UK Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme increases to £67 and should be paid by the end of the month. This is the amount that will be paid until the end of March when the scheme ends.
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