MILLIONS of people across the UK are set to receive a one-off payment to help with the cost-of-living from Tuesday.
The UK Government has confirmed that around six million disabled people will receive a payment of £150 from September 20.
It will be paid to those who receive a qualifying disability benefit automatically on that date.
The payment is part of a wider package of support measures aimed at helping to ease cost of living pressures.
Those who may be eligible for the payment include people receiving the disability living allowance, personal independence payment, attendance allowance, Scottish disability benefits, armed forces independence payment, constant attendance allowance, or the war pension mobility supplement.
UK minister for health, work and disabled people Chloe Smith has urged people to check the Help for Households government webpage to make sure they are getting all the support available to them.
She said: “We know disabled people can face additional costs, which is why we are acting to help reduce the financial pressures on the most vulnerable.
“This £150 disability payment is on top of the £1200 most low-income benefit claimants will also receive and alongside wider support targeted at disabled people, including help with transport and prescription costs.
“We know it’s a worrying time for some people and I’d urge them to check they are getting all the support on offer by searching Help for Households.”
The UK Government has been criticised over the past few months for a lack of action on the cost-of-living.
Speaking ahead of her statement to Parliament on the Scottish Government’s 22/23 Programme for Government at the beginning of September, Nicola Sturgeon said: “The most significant powers to tackle this crisis rest squarely with the UK Government.”
Former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi said in August that this disability payment “reinforces” the Government’s commitment to helping UK households.
He said: “We know that rising prices faced by many countries around the world are a significant worry for many people here in the UK, especially those most vulnerable to additional costs.
“This payment is in addition to further help households can expect over the coming months – including a second cost of living payment of £324 for households on means-tested benefits, £300 for pensioners this winter and £400 discount on energy bills for every household.”
The Prime Minister recently announced that “a typical household” will pay no more than £2500 a year for their energy.
This is lower than the original October increase which would have seen bills soar by 80% but still amounts to a rise of £529.
The Government remains opposed to a windfall tax with Liz Truss insisting that increasing levies on oil and gas giants would discourage investment.
