As millions of households around the country begin to receive the first half of the £650 cost of living payments, many people will be missing out.
It comes as the UK continues to suffer from a soaring cost of living crisis, pushed on by rising energy bills and food costs. A huge chunk of people will be relying on extra cash on the government over the rest of the year, with energy bills set to rise to around £3,000 from October 1.
Fortunately, Boris Johnson announced a "big bazooka" package which will help a lot of struggling households through most of the year, or at least until spring. The package kicks off this week with many benefit claimants automatically receiving £326, followed by an additional £324 in Autumn, the Mirror reports.
Read more: Cost of living crisis deepens north-south divide
However, Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Alison Garnham, said: “Today’s payment will still leave far too many families struggling to stay afloat. Families are facing a long term crisis that needs a long term solution, and government needs to recognise that dealing with the cost of living is made harder for millions by years of benefits cuts and freezes.”
Meanwhile, Mike Brewer, of the Resolution Foundation, noted that it was "a bold and well-targeted support package" but "households are still going to feel a tight squeeze over the coming year".
To understand what extra support is being offered by the government for the rest of the year, we've broken down all the major financial changes and additional support being offered by the government for each month remaining in 2022.
Earlier this year: £150 council tax rebate
Since April, many households across England in council tax bands A to D should have received a £150 rebate from their council tax contributions. While most people should have received this already, there are some who have experienced delays.
If you have not received the rebate yet and believe you are eligible, ensure that you contact your local council as soon as possible.
July 6: National Insurance threshold raised
The threshold for how much you can earn before paying mandatory National Insurance rose from £9,880 to £12,570 annually for the whole of the UK. While it means that the lowest earners in the country have been provided with some relief, it's not all sunshine and roses.
For starters, National Insurance rose in April from 12 per cent to 13.25 percent. Combine this with the threshold increase and you'll find that only people who earn less than £37,000 will be better off than they were before April.
Meanwhile, £30,000 earners are only £53 better off per year. Furthermore, if you're working but are also receiving Universal Credit, there will be less help on every pound you earn.
July 14-31: £326 for most benefit claimants
The first half of the cost of living payments will begin to be rolled out throughout the rest of July for those on means-tested benefits. This will apply to anyone on Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Income-related JSA, Income-related ESA, Income Support and Pension Credit.
Those who are eligible need not apply for the money as it will be sent out automatically.
Autumn: £324 for some Tax Credit claimants
The second half of the cost of living payments will be landing in claimants' bank accounts throughout Autumn - no official date has yet been given. Some claimants may have to wait longer for the extra cash.
By September: £150 for disabled Brits
Around six million people receiving disability benefits will receive £150. This applies to those claiming the following:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Scottish Disability Benefits
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
The payments will be exempt from tax, not contribute toward the benefit cap, and won't affect any benefit awards. An official date in September is yet to be announced as the DWP has not passed the necessary laws to pay the money yet.
October to March: £400 energy bills discount for all
All households across the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) will receive £400 off their electricity bills from October in the form of a non-repayable grant. However, this won't be one lump sum and will be spread out over six months from October to March.
It will also be a direct discount to bills paid monthly, and won't be delivered in the form of extra cash. However, bills will likely still be higher than at the same time last year.
November to December: £300 payment for most pensioners
A one-off payment of £300 will be sent to pensioner households which receive Winter Fuel Payment. These payments will be paid alongside the Winter Fuel Payment which is worth between £100 and £300.
Read next:
DWP issues warning to anyone expecting £326 Cost of Living payment this month
Full list of benefits claimants who will not get £650 Cost of Living payment
Date millions will receive DWP cost of living payment this month
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