Cost of Living Payment

 

The UK Government have introduced this scheme to support households across the UK who are struggling financially to cover the rise of cost of living.

You may be able to get payments to help with the cost of living if you’re getting certain benefits or tax credits.  These payments will help with things like food, energy at home and fuel.

Guidance on getting extra payments to help with the cost of living, if you’re entitled to certain benefits or tax credits,  can be found on the government website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

If you live in Ireland see here: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/money_and_tax/cost_of_living/help_with_cost_of_living.html

 

You do not need to apply, you will be paid automatically

 

If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits. This includes if you’re found to be eligible for a Cost of Living Payment or a Disability Cost of Living Payment at a later date.

You could get up to 3 different types of payment depending on your circumstances on a particular date or during a particular period

 

 

 

Cost of Living Payment

 

For low-income benefits including Pension Credit, you should have already had your first payment of £326 by the end of July 2022.

The government has said households receiving DWP benefits will receive the second part of the £650 Cost of Living Payment from 8 November to 23 November.  You can read more about this here.

 

£150 Disability Cost of Living Payment

 

Around six million people across the UK who receive disability benefits to receive a one-off payment of £150.

You’ll be paid the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment automatically from 20 September 2022. Most people will receive their payment by the beginning of October 2022.

For more info on Cost of Living payments you can download this is to read document here.

If your payment does not arrive

Check your bank statement for a payment called ‘DWP Cost of Living’.
If you do not get a payment complete this form: https://secure.dwp.gov.uk/report-a-missing-cost-of-living-payment/welcome

 

Getting the Energy Bills Support Scheme discount

 

The Energy Bills Support Scheme provides a £400 non-repayable discount to eligible households to help with their energy bills over winter 2022 to 2023.  All households with a domestic electricity connection in England, Scotland and Wales are eligible for the discount.

How it will be paid:

– Direct debit and credit customers will have the money credited to their energy account.
– Customers with pre-payment meters will have the money applied to their meter or be paid via a voucher.

You can find out more about this scheme here.

 

Priority Services Register (Energy)

 

You can sign up to a Priority Services Register (PSR) to receive extra help from your energy or water company. It’s free to sign up.

If you are over 66, ill or disabled, or have children living at home, ask your energy company if you can be added to their Priority Services Register.

This provides you with free extra services and may help protect you from disconnection if you struggle to pay your energy bills if your supplier has signed up to the Vulnerability Commitment.

You can find out more here

 

Other useful resources for support with Energy

 

Energy Costs if you live in Scotland

Welsh Government’s Fuel Support Scheme (Wales)

Cold Weather payments Northern Ireland

Information for the Republic of Ireland

 

Other Benefits and Financial Support

 

Please see our Financial support and benefits page for other benefits you may be entitled to.

 

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