Millions of the lowest-income households across the UK will get up to £1,350 from the Government in 2023/4 to help with the cost of living. The exact payment windows will be announced closer to the time but are spread across a longer period to ensure a consistent support offering throughout the year. They will be broadly as follows:
If individuals are eligible they will be paid automatically, and there will be no need to apply. For more information, click here.
A £650 Cost of Living payment will be made to low-income households in 2022 who receive Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Pension Credits and other means-tested benefits. It will be paid in two instalments - one in July and one in Autumn. If you have not received this payment visit, click here.
The Warm Home Discount provides a £150 rebate on electricity bills for low-income households. If you do not receive it automatically, you will need to apply through your energy supplier. This payment is expected November. Click here for more information.
A Winter Fuel Payment of £100-£300 is available for those aged over 65 on the qualifying date (usually in April). You should receive this automatically from the government, but you can call the helpline (0800 731 0160) to confirm or click here for more information.
A Disability Cost of Living Payment is an automatic one-off £150 payment available to 6 million people who are paid certain disability benefits. The payment will help disabled people with the rising Cost of Living acknowledging the higher disability-related costs they often face, such as care and mobility needs. This is in addition to the £650 Cost of Living Payment for disabled people who also receive benefits.
To see if you are eligible, click here.
The Royal British Legion (RBL) has announced a new top-up support for veterans to help them pay their energy bills. Veterans can apply for an emergency grant for energy bills of up to £200 a month as part of the Everyday Needs Grants Programme. The grant will be issued by the RBL on a means-tested basis to those in the Armed Forces community who are struggling financially. To find out more please click here.
From 1st October, a new ‘Energy Price Guarantee’ will reduce the unit cost of electricity and gas for UK households. This is automatic and applies to all households. The discount will be made automatically by your energy supplier, who should provide you with further details of how and when you will receive the grant. It is important they have up to date contact details for you to communicate payment details. The non-repayable £400 energy discount from the UK Government will be paid in six instalments, with households seeing £66 taken off their energy bills in October and November, and £67 a month from December to March 2023.
The money will be paid differently depending on how you pay your bill:
Beware of text or other scams – there is no need to apply, and you will never be asked for bank details.
Cold Weather Payments are made when the temperature where you live is an average of 0°C or below over seven consecutive days. It is based on the benefits you receive and will also be paid automatically.
All information about energy benefits can be found here.