Chancellor Rishi Sunak recently announced a £15 billion package of additional financial support for millions of households across the UK finding it increasingly more challenging to cope with the rising cost of living.
Around six million people who receive disability benefits will get a one-off cost of living payment of £150 by the end of September and those also in receipt of a mean-tested benefit will receive an additional £650, made in two instalments - the first in July, the second in the autumn.
However, a new online petition is calling on the UK Government to give all disabled people and unpaid carers the £650 payment, highlighting that these two groups - some 12.5 million in total - have higher utility bills and food costs.
The petition was created earlier this week by Abigail Broomfield and posted on the petitions-parliament website where it has already received more than 8,499 signatures of support.
Ms Broomfield wrote: “Disabled people should be included alongside carers in the £650 one off payment as part of the Cost of Living support package. We have larger utilities bills and food costs when compared to non-disabled people. We rely on these utilities and food to stay alive.”
She also issued a grave warning: “Without including disabled people for the full £650 entitlement, many more disabled people could die.
“We might have to switch off or use our equipment less which is vital for our survival. We could be unable to purchase specific food for our dietary requirements.
"We might be unable to be warm. This could lead to more hospitalisations and death.”
The UK Government will only respond to the ‘Make people on disability benefits eligible for the £650 one off payment’ petition, once it reaches the 10,000 signature threshold.
You can read the full details of the petition, which closes on December 6, 2022, here.
Cost of Living Payments
The £150 ‘Disability Cost of Living Payment’ will be paid to people receiving these disability benefits:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Adult Disability Payment (Scotland only)
- Child Disability Payment (Scotland only)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
To be eligible for the £150 one-off payment, claimants must have been in receipt of one of the benefits listed above on May 25, 2022.
Nobody needs to apply for the £150 payment, it will be paid automatically.
Eligibility for £650 one-off payment
Disabled people also receiving one of the means-tested benefits below will also receive the £650 payment:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
The qualifying date is the same as before - May 25, 2022.
If you receive a DWP means-tested benefit and Tax Credits, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will pay the £650 in two lump sums starting in the autumn.
Full details of all Cost of Living Payments can be found on the GOV.UK website here.
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