Brits across the UK will receive a £150 disability cost of living payment today as several money changes take place over the next two weeks.
People may receive a lump sum payment today of £150 if they have been receiving certain qualifying benefits. There are a few additional payments for some to look out for and other key dates in September, including deadlines towards the end of the month.
This includes a change to Universal Credit and a banknote warning.
Tuesday, September 20 - £150 disability cost of living payment
According to BristolLive, six million disabled people will get their £150 cost of living payment from Tuesday, September 20. People on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Attendance Allowance are among those who qualify - but Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is not included. People on income-related ESA were due to get a separate £324 payment in July. You must have received a payment - or later receive a payment - of one of these qualifying benefits by May 25, 2022 to get the cost of living cash.
Monday, September 26 - Universal Credit changes
Roughly 114,000 people on Universal Credit will be moved from the "light touch" work group to "intensive work search" from September 26. This is due to a planned increase in the Administration Earnings Threshold (AET). The AET determines which "work group" you’re placed in - this then has an impact on if you’re required to look for more work. The rate is being increased from £355 a month to £494 a month, or from £567 a month to £782 a month for joint claims, from September 26.
Friday, September 30 - Household Support Fund deadline
Councils have until Friday, September 30, to spend or "commit" to spending the remainder of the extra £500million that was put into the Household Support Fund. The support available is decided by each individual council, as well as the eligibility criteria. Some of the help that is offered through the Household Support Fund includes cash or credit towards your bills and supermarket vouchers.
Friday, September 30 - Last day to spend paper £20 and £50 notes
The Bank of England will withdraw the legal tender status of old paper £20 and £50 notes after September 30, 2022. You can still spend these banknotes in stores before this date, or you can deposit them at your bank or the Post Office. If you're trading them in, your old paper notes will be replaced with new plastic polymer versions. If you miss the September 30 deadline, you can still swap your old bank notes for new polymer versions at the Bank of England. Some banks will also still continue to accept old notes after September.
Friday, September 30 - Energy meter reading day
The last time the price cap rose in April, experts including Martin Lewis suggested taking a meter reading the day before the new figure came into place. This is so customers can tell their energy providers exactly much gas and electricity they are using before the price soars once again, reducing the risk of you being overcharged. If you apply this logic again before October 1, then you should look to submit an energy meter reading on Friday, September 30, the day before everything goes up.
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