Millions of people on certain benefits will receive a £150 cost of living this month. Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claimants are among those who will receive the funds as the cost of living crisis continues.
While an estimated 6 million individuals will begin getting the funds from September 20, some are being warned they will need to wait until October, Lancs Live reports. According to the website, most claimants are expected to receive the payment by the start of next month.
It comes as inflation, largely driven by energy price rises, piles pressure on consumers ahead of winter. Confidence among UK consumers has fallen into negative territory for the first time since June 2020, according to a survey, and is the largest decline since the early stages of the pandemic.
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In October energy bills will spike from £1,971 to £2,500 for the average household. The Government’s support for households will help somewhat, taking bills down from £3,549.
The £150 one-off payment was previously announced by former Chancellor Rishi Sunak in May as part of his cost of living package. It aims to help around six million people on certain disability benefits tackle the rising cost of living.
You may get the lump sum payment if you get one of the following benefits:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
But to be eligible for the one-off payment, you must have received a payment (or later receive a payment) of one of these qualifying benefits for May 25, 2022. The DWP has advised that those awaiting confirmation of their disability benefits on May 25 - or those waiting to be assessed for eligibility - may find the payment process takes a little longer, although they will still get it if they are eligible, ChronicleLive reports.
The payment is paid per claim, meaning that if two people in a home are applying for the benefit payment, they will each receive separate payments of £150.
The £150 is in addition to the £400 energy rebate, payable in six instalments from next month, which nearly every household will receive. If you’re on certain means-tested benefits as well as disability benefits, you may also get a further £325 payment later this year, in addition to the first £325 paid in the summer.
Chloe Smith, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, said: "This £150 disability payment is on top of the £1,200 most low-income benefit claimants will also receive and alongside wider support targeted at disabled people, including help with transport and prescription costs."
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