Millions of people will be able to claim up to £1,350 in cost of living payments next year as households struggle to make ends meet.
The government has announced a new £900 boost for more than eight million UK households on means-tested benefits in the 2023/24 financial year. On top of this, more than eight million pensioners will see another £300 land in their bank accounts during the same period, Chronicle Live reports.
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said: “Pensioners are disproportionately impacted by higher energy costs, many are unable to increase their income through work, and many low-income pensioner households do not claim the means tested benefits they are entitled to, so offering universal support for this group is the right thing to do.”
READ MORE: Full list of DWP benefits to be axed by 2024 including Income Support
It comes as some six million people on non-means-tested disability benefits will see £150 land in their bank accounts in the 2023/24 year, meaning some households could see a total of £1,350 in extra support.
The emergency package will see some £26bn set aside to help those most in need. All payments are tax-free and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
The £900 payment will not count towards the benefit cap, however it is not clear whether the same applies to the £300 and £150 payments.
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