The UK Government recently announced a series of new cost of living payments to help millions of households across the country mitigate soaring inflation and rising energy bills. The new cost of living support package is worth £26 billion in 2023/24, in addition to the 10.1% benefits uprating, which is worth £11 billion to working age households and people with disabilities.
This means that millions of households across the UK will be supported by additional cost of living payments which include £900 for people on eligible means-tested benefits, £300 for pensioner households and £150 for people claiming a disability benefit. The payments are worth up to £1,350 in total and aimed at helping low-income and vulnerable households over the next financial year.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has now confirmed that the £150 disability cost of living payment will be made this summer.
No qualifying period has been announced yet and no exact payment windows have been released, but DWP said these will be given closer to the time.
Payments will be made automatically, so there’s no need for anyone to apply for any of the cost of living payments.
DWP guidance on GOV.UK warns: “If you have had a message asking you to apply or contact someone about the payment, this might be a scam.”
Eligibility for £150 disability cost of living payment
Over six million people across the UK on non means-tested disability benefits will receive a one-off payment of £150 this summer.
This can be paid in addition to the cost of living payments for households on means-tested benefits (£900) and pensioner households (£300), if eligible.
Qualifying benefits for £150
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
This payment will be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
Details about qualifying periods and payment dates have not been announced yet, but the guidance on GOV.UK suggests that eligible benefits for each cost of living payment will remain the same as those made to over eight million on low-income benefits, six million on disability benefits and eight million pensioner households.
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