More than six million people with disabilities will start receiving £150 in their bank accounts from today.
The one-off cost of living payments, issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) throughout a two-week window, will support people with the extra costs they face. The payments are part of a wider package of support worth up to £1,350 to the most vulnerable households.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: "We recognise that some of the most vulnerable UK households continue to face cost-of-living pressures, in particular those who are disabled. Our commitment to halving inflation and ultimately getting it back to the 2% target will relieve a lot of financial pressure for us all, but this extra support will help over six million disabled people right now as we work towards that goal."
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Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: "The additional costs faced by disabled people mean inflation is particularly challenging, which is why halving it this year and getting back to the Bank of England's 2% target is our priority. The £150 we're sending disabled people over the next two weeks is part of a major cost-of-living support package worth just under £100b, providing some peace of mind to the most vulnerable in society."
As the payment is made automatically, those eligible for the support do not need to take any action. The payment reference on bank statements will appear as the person's national insurance number, followed by "DWP COL".
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People who may qualify for the payments, being made between June 20 and July 4, include those on disability living allowance, personal independence payments, attendance allowance, Scottish disability benefits (adult disability payment and child disability payment), armed forces independence payments, constant attendance allowance and war pension mobility supplement. The DWP said a small number of payments will be made after July 4, where claimants were still awaiting confirmation of their eligibility or entitlement to qualifying disability benefits on April 1.
Louise Rubin, head of policy at disability charity Scope, said: "This £150 disability cost-of-living payment offered to people on disability benefits won't touch the sides. We've heard from disabled people whose bills have risen to £6,000 a year.
"Parents are skipping meals so their children can eat. Others are going without food to power breathing equipment. We need a long-term solution. The Government urgently needs to introduce a discounted social energy tariff for disabled people with no choice but to use more energy."
