Government support available is summarised below:
Cost of Living payment:
- This consists of two separate instalment payments, totalling £650. It will be paid into the account of those who receive means tested benefits. If entitled, the first payment of £326 was paid by 31 July
- The second instalment payment will be paid by 23 November
- You are entitled to this second instalment if currently in receipt of Universal Credit (UC), Child or Working Tax Credit, Pension Credit, income based JSA or ESA, Income Support and you were receiving a payment *between 26 August 2022 and 25 Sept 2022. (If in receipt of Housing Benefit only, or if UC is £0 award for the above period*, due to earnings, you are not entitled)
- Payment will be made automatically – no action is required
- Payment will be made into the account welfare benefits are paid into, reference ‘DWP Cost of Living”.
The disability cost of living payment
- This is £150 and will have been paid at the beginning of October
- To qualify for this, you will need to have been in receipt of a non-means tested disability benefit e.g., DLA / PIP on 25 May 2022.
The Winter Fuel Payment
- You will get your Winter Fuel Payment automatically (you do not need to claim) if you were born on or before 25 September 1956 and live in the UK and either get the State Pension or get another social security benefit (not including Adult Disability Payment from the Scottish Government, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit)
- The Winter fuel payment itself is worth between £150 and £300 depending on your circumstances
- You should get a letter telling you how much you’ll get.
More information is available at: ageuk.org.uk/winter-fuel-payment and gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
The pensioner payment
- This will be £300 and will be paid from November
- You have to qualify for the Winter Fuel payment to qualify for this £300 pensioner payment.
See gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment for further detail and exceptions re the above payments.
Energy rebate
- There will be £400 discount on electricity bills for all households this winter
- This will be arranged by energy providers and does not have to be paid back.
Energy Price Cap
For clear and up to date information on government support, we have found that the Money Saving Expert website is one of the best.
If you are struggling financially ABS may be able to help. Call our welfare team for a confidential chat. ABS helpline 020 3918 8588.
