The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently announced that some 6.7 million people claiming disability benefits in Scotland, England and Wales will receive a one-off cost of living payment of £150 between June 20 and July 4. To be eligible for the lump sum, claimants must have received a payment, or later found to be eligible for one, on April 1, 2023.
However, Sense, the national charity that supports people with complex disabilities, is calling for long-term and targeted financial support for disabled households, as the charity warns that a one-off payment of £150 falls far short of covering the increased costs many disabled people face.
Chief Executive Richard Kramer warned: “While the £150 payment will bring some temporary relief, it’s a mere drop in the ocean amid rising costs and the devastating impact these are having on disabled people and their families.”
He went on to explain that disabled households are particularly impacted by spiralling costs, with many people dependent on energy-intensive equipment such as powered wheelchairs and feeding machines.
He said “The increased costs of running this equipment, alongside other key expenses such as paying for accessible transport and specialist diets, have already pushed almost three-quarters of disabled households into debt. The £150 payment for many households will barely scratch the surface, and will be going towards paying off debt rather than helping with current costs.
“The crisis is worsening and the government isn’t doing enough to help. We are urging the government to recognise the full impact of rising costs on disabled people and bring in a long-term plan of targeted support which addresses the additional expenses disabled people face.”
£150 disability cost of living payment
Eight benefits qualify for the payment including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Adult Disability Payment.
To be eligible for the lump sum, claimants must have received a payment (or later found to be eligible) on April 1, 2023.
For those people awaiting confirmation of their entitlement to disability benefits on April 1, or who are waiting to be assessed for eligibility to receive disability benefits, the payment process may take longer and arrive after the scheduled window closes on July 4, but the money will still arrive automatically.
Qualifying benefits
The full list of benefit recipients that qualify for the payment are those who receive:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
Payment window
The money will be paid automatically into the same account for your qualifying benefit, but will appear as a separate payment. This will arrive between June 20 and July 4, 2023.
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