Millions of UK households are eligible to receive support over the next couple of months, to help soften the heavy blow of the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Following Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's colossal announcement earlier this week, which saw a substantial backtrack on some of Prime Minister Liz Truss' promises - certain things have changed in an instant, like the energy price promise being slashed from two years to just six months.
However, Hull Live reports that many residents across Great Britain are still eligible to access extra support over the winter, to reduce stresses such as household bills and essentials - which grow more and more unaffordable by the day.
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Here is a list of five payments that you could claim before Christmas.
Cost of living payment - £324
Many households have been paid their first instalment of the £650 cost of living payment. It is estimated that eight million payments have been made to support those struggling as bills continue to rise.
The second payment is due next month, between November 8 and 23, and will be paid automatically in the bank that people receive certain benefits. However those receiving tax credits will not be be paid until after November 23.
The people on the following benefits are eligible to claim the second cost of living payment which will be worth £324 -
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
Pensioner cost of living payment - £300
Those who receive the winter fuel payment will also be able to apply for the 'Pensioner Cost of Living Payment', which will be paid out in November and is worth £300. You must apply for both the Winter Fuel Payment and the Pensioner Cost of Living payment, and fall under the following requirements.
- Being born on or before 25 September 1956
- Living in the UK for at least one day between the days of 19 to 25 September as this classed as the 'qualifying week'
Warm Home Discount - £150
Million of households will also be receiving the Warm Home Discount which amounts to the equivalent of £150 off their energy bills between the months of December to March 2023. Those who have received any of the following benefits up to August of this year will be eligible for the automatic discount:
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker's allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Housing benefit
- Universal Credit
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credits
- Pension credit guaranteed
- Pension credit savings credit
Household support fund - up to £150
Local councils across the country are helping struggling households, by giving out extra money to support bills and essentials. Depending on location, households can receive up to £150.
To qualify for the household support fund, usually you would need to be a recipient of council tax support. You can find your local council using the GOV.UK website and contacting them through there to discuss further.
Cold weather payment - up to £75
As the weather proceeds to get colder, low-income households can get a £25 payment. Some cold weather payments have already been made in places around the UK, which have already experienced sub-zero climates.
This is also an automatic payment, and will be determined by each seven-day period of low temperature between November and March.
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