A petition calling on the Government to extend the £650 one-off cost of living payment to those on disability benefits has been set up. Having reached over 10,000 signatures, the Government now has to respond to the document.
The online petition states that all disabled people and unpaid carers should receive the payment adding: "We have larger utility bills and food costs when compared to non-disabled people. We rely on these utilities and food to stay alive."
Set up by Abigail Broomfield, the petition has already received 10,601 signatures. At 100,000 signatures, the topic will be considered for debate in Parliament.
The £650 cost of living Payment is currently payable to those receiving a DWP means-tested benefit or tax credits. However, the petition, which has been reported on by the Daily Record, states: "Disabled people should be included alongside carers in the £650 one off payment as part of the cost of living support package." Adding: "Without including disabled people for the full £650 entitlement, many more disabled people could die".
Ms Broomfield, who started the petition, continued: "We might have to switch off or use our equipment less which is vital for our survival. We could be unable to purchase specific food for our dietary requirements. We might be unable to be warm. This could lead to more hospitalisations and death."
Currently, around six million people who receive disability benefits will get a one-off payment of £150 by the end of September and those also in receipt of a means-tested benefit will receive an additional £650. This will be made in two instalments - the first for £326 will be paid from July 14 and the second in the autumn.
The petition is open for six months. It closes on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.
Cost of living payments explained
£150 Cost of Living Payment qualifying benefits
The £150 ‘Disability Cost of Living Payment’ will be paid to people receiving these benefits:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Adult Disability Payment (Scotland only)
- Child Disability Payment (Scotland only)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
Eligibility for £650 Cost of Living Payment
Disabled people also receiving one of the means-tested benefits below will receive the £650 payment too:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
If you receive a DWP means-tested benefit and Tax Credits, DWP will pay the £650 in two parts as outlined above (£326 from July 14). If you only receive Tax Credits, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will pay you in two instalments - once in the autumn and another in the winter. No specific dates have been released yet. Full details of all Cost of Living Payments can be found on the GOV.UK website.
