During the summer, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) dismissed calls from an online petition which asked the UK Government to give all disabled people and unpaid carers the £650 means-tested cost of living payment.
However, shortly after the official response was posted on the petitions-parliament website, the Petitions Committee, the group of MPs who oversee the petitions system, asked the DWP to provide a “revised response” as they felt the DWP “did not directly address the request” of the petition. But the DWP is emphatic and states that the UK Government is “not changing these qualifying criteria”.
The ‘Make people on disability benefits eligible for the £650 one off payment’ petition on the petitions-parliament website was created by Abigail Broomfield and highlights how disabled people and unpaid carers - some 12.5 million in total across the UK - have higher utility bills and food costs than most people. Since it was created in June, more than 23,120 people have shown their support for the petition calling for change.
The petition states: “Disabled people should be included alongside carers in the £650 one off payment as part of the Cost of Living support package. We have larger utilities bills and food costs when compared to non-disabled people. We rely on these utilities and food to stay alive.
“Without including disabled people for the full £650 entitlement, many more disabled people could die. We might have to switch off or use our equipment less which is vital for our survival. We could be unable to purchase specific food for our dietary requirements. We might be unable to be warm.”
And it ends with a stark warning: “This could lead to more hospitalisations and death. Most disabled people already suffer from mental health problems and this will only increase. This could lead to more suicides and death.”
In the revised response, the DWP stands by its initial answer and explained how six million people in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit received a £150 payment in September and if they are also receiving a qualifying means-tested benefit then they will also get the £650 cost of living payment.
The second payment, worth £324, is due to be paid between November 8 and 23.
The revised DWP response on October 11 states: “Our help for households with the cost of living helps all households but has prioritised those on low incomes, those with disability and pensioners.
“Many disabled people will be eligible for both the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment and the £650 Cost of Living Payment. However, the £650 payment is only for those people in receipt of a qualifying means-tested benefit. The Government is not changing these qualifying criteria.
"The £650 cost of living payment (split into two instalments of £326 and £324) is available to those on benefits such as Universal Credit or income-related ESA. This will support millions of low-income households.”
The statement continues: “The [UK] Government recognises that disabled people face particular cost of living pressures. That is why, in addition, up to six million disabled people who are in receipt of a disability benefit (including non means-tested benefits like PIP) will receive a one-off Disability Cost of Living Payment worth £150.
“The Disability Cost of Living Payment is just one element of the help for households. Disabled pensioners will also benefit from the £300 increase in Winter Fuel Payments.”
The DWP also highlighted how nearly 60 per cent of carers on low incomes who are of working age and on Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Element claim either an income-related benefit through which they could be entitled to the £326 and £324 Cost of Living Payment or a qualifying disability payment meaning they are entitled to the £150 disability one off payment.
It also outlined the support available to households through the £400 energy rebate, the £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee and the £150 Council Tax discount.
You can read the full DWP response online here.
The petition is open until December 20, 2022 - at 100,000 signatures it would be considered for debate in Parliament.
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