A number of changes which could impact your finances are set to come into effect this week. This week will see some new rules and support introduced as millions of people grapple with rising living costs which has seen inflation hit a 40-year high and the pound hit a record low.
A number of measures have already been rolled out in a bid to help those hardest hit by soaring costs. Millions of people received a £326 cost of living payment back in July while there are also payments being given to those with disabilities and people struggling to pay their energy bills.
Here are the main changes coming this week which could affect your finances or benefits.
Read more: How each energy company will give you £400 off your bills
September 26 - £200 fuel support scheme
The Welsh Government has this week launched its fuel support scheme which offers eligible households cash to help them pay their gas and electric bills this winter. As well as doubling the scheme from £100 to £200 earlier this year, back in July the Welsh Government announced it was extending the scheme meaning 400,000 households in Wales are set to get the payment to help keep their homes warm. The scheme opened for applications on Monday, September 26 and is open to those on universal credit and a number of other qualifying benefits. To find out if you qualify or how to apply click here.
September 26 - Administration earnings threshold
From September 26 around 114,000 people on universal credit will be moved from the "light touch" work group to "intensive work search". This is due to a planned increase in the administration earnings threshold (AET) which determines which work group universal credit claimants are placed in. This influences if you are 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. This means the threshold for people to avoid being placed in the intensive group - and therefore having to undertake more efforts to find work or otherwise increase their income - is now higher.
September 26 - October 1 - £150 disability payment
The DWP is currently sending a £150 one-off payment to people claiming disability benefits such as PIP and DLA. The payments were originally due to start from September 20, but after thousands complained about not receiving their money the department admitted there had been a delay in sending it out. A DWP spokesman has since reassured people that they will be paid by the start of October, meaning the money should be landing in bank accounts this week. Find out more about the £150 disability payment here.
September 30 - Household support fund deadline
Local councils have until Friday, September 30 to spend or "commit" to spend the remainder of the extra £500million that was put into the household support fund for struggling households. The support available is decided by each individual council, as well as the eligibility criteria. Some of the help offered through the household support fund includes cash or credit towards your bills and supermarket vouchers.
September 30 - Last day to spend paper £20 and £50 notes
This Friday will also see the Bank of England withdraw the legal tender status of old paper £20 and £50 notes. 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 banknotes for new polymer versions at the Bank of England. Some banks will also still continue to accept old notes after September. Find out more here.
September 30 - meter reading deadline
Friday is also the last time for people to get an accurate reading for your energy metre before the energy price hike. From October 1 the new energy price guarantee - £2,500 per year for a typical household - and energy companies' new tariffs will come into effect, meaning you should take and submit a meter reading before that date as this means your energy company cannot charge you at the higher rate for any units that have been used prior to October 1. However if for any reason you can't do this, you should be able to submit a reading after that date if you take a picture of your reading and upload it later. Read more about that here.
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