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Cost of Living Payments – what they are and when you will receive them

The current cost of living crisis is affecting people all over the country with energy bills rising and inflation increasing the cost of the things we all buy.

A pack of measures aimed to support the increase in living costs was announced in May by the Chancellor:

 

money

 

£650 one off cost-of-living payment

Targeted at the most vulnerable households in the UK, millions will have already received the first payment of £326 in July to their bank accounts.

The second payment of £324 will arrive in the autumn for most people (no exact date set yet)

To be eligible for the payment you have to be in receipt of a means-tested benefit, such as the below –

  • Universal Credit
  • Income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JCA)
  • Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
  • Income support
  • Working tax credit
  • Child tax credit
  • Pension credit

To get the payment you must have either been:

  • Entitled to a universal credit payment for an assessment period that ended in the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022
  • Entitled to an income-based JAS, income-related ESA, income support or pension credit payment for any day in the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022

The grant payment is tax-free for all eligible groups, will not affect the benefit cap and will not effect any existing benefit awards.

If you are eligible under tax credits, you will not receive the first payment until Autumn 2022, with the second payment to arrive in Winter.

If you’ve not yet received the first payment and you believe you are eligible, you can report missing payments via this Government website. You will need your national insurance number.

 

money

£350 Pensioner Payment

Pensioners who already qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment will receive an extra £300 alongside this payment from November 22 onwards. This is in addition to any of the other cost of living payments.

The amounts of winter fuel payments received depends on household circumstances. Find out more here. 

 

money

 

Disability Cost of Living Payment

6 million people who receive disability benefits will get a one-off cost of living payment of £150 by the end of September. It will be given to those on the following benefits:

  • Attendance allowance
  • Constant attendance allowance
  • Disability living allowance for adults and children
  • Personal independent payment
  • Armed forces independence payment
  • War pension mobility supplement

You must have received a payment of one of these qualifying benefits for May 25 to get the payment. Those who receive the means tested benefits will receive the £150 on top of the £650 cost of living payment.

 

money

£400 energy bill discount

Every single household with a domestic energy supplier account in England, Scotland and Wales will receive £400 in energy bill discounts. This will be issued to households in six instalments over a period of 6 months over the winter period from October 2022.

This payment is non-repayable and does not require any applications as it will be made automatically.

 

money

Still concerned about the cost of your energy bills?

We can help. Switched On Portsmouth offer a range of free services to help you to save energy and money in your home. Give us a call on 0800 260 5907 to find out what you could be eligible for.

 

The current cost of living crisis is affecting people all over the country with energy bills rising and inflation increasing the cost of the things we all buy.

A pack of measures aimed to support the increase in living costs was announced in May by the Chancellor:

 

money

 

£650 one off cost-of-living payment

Targeted at the most vulnerable households in the UK, millions will have already received the first payment of £326 in July to their bank accounts.

The second payment of £324 will arrive in the autumn for most people (no exact date set yet)

To be eligible for the payment you have to be in receipt of a means-tested benefit, such as the below –

  • Universal Credit
  • Income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JCA)
  • Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
  • Income support
  • Working tax credit
  • Child tax credit
  • Pension credit

To get the payment you must have either been:

  • Entitled to a universal credit payment for an assessment period that ended in the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022
  • Entitled to an income-based JAS, income-related ESA, income support or pension credit payment for any day in the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022

The grant payment is tax-free for all eligible groups, will not affect the benefit cap and will not effect any existing benefit awards.

If you are eligible under tax credits, you will not receive the first payment until Autumn 2022, with the second payment to arrive in Winter.

If you’ve not yet received the first payment and you believe you are eligible, you can report missing payments via this Government website. You will need your national insurance number.

 

money

£350 Pensioner Payment

Pensioners who already qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment will receive an extra £300 alongside this payment from November 22 onwards. This is in addition to any of the other cost of living payments.

The amounts of winter fuel payments received depends on household circumstances. Find out more here. 

 

money

 

Disability Cost of Living Payment

6 million people who receive disability benefits will get a one-off cost of living payment of £150 by the end of September. It will be given to those on the following benefits:

  • Attendance allowance
  • Constant attendance allowance
  • Disability living allowance for adults and children
  • Personal independent payment
  • Armed forces independence payment
  • War pension mobility supplement

You must have received a payment of one of these qualifying benefits for May 25 to get the payment. Those who receive the means tested benefits will receive the £150 on top of the £650 cost of living payment.

 

money

£400 energy bill discount

Every single household with a domestic energy supplier account in England, Scotland and Wales will receive £400 in energy bill discounts. This will be issued to households in six instalments over a period of 6 months over the winter period from October 2022.

This payment is non-repayable and does not require any applications as it will be made automatically.

 

money

Still concerned about the cost of your energy bills?

We can help. Switched On Portsmouth offer a range of free services to help you to save energy and money in your home. Give us a call on 0800 260 5907 to find out what you could be eligible for.