Millions of households all across the UK will soon receive extra financial support from the government in November.
It comes as the government prepares to roll out the second half of the £650 Cost of Living Payment from November 8. Near the end of November, those claiming Tax Credits will also receive a Cost of Living payment from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
It means that the most vulnerable in society should be able to receive extra financial support to help them get through the cost of living crisis during a difficult winter. Angela MacDonald, HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary, said: “This second Cost of Living Payment will provide further financial support to eligible tax credit-only claimants across the UK.
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“The £324 will be paid automatically into bank accounts, so people don't need to do anything to receive this extra help.”
However, the Cost of Living payments will not be the only financial boost coming from the government in November.
£324 Cost of Living Payment
The government has confirmed that millions of households across the UK will get their second instalment of the £650 cost of living payment, worth £324, by November 23. The first payments are due to land from November 8.
Over 8 million families have already received the first Cost of Living payment, worth £326, which was sent out from 14 July this year.In order to qualify for the autumn cost of living payment, recipients must be claiming one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
Anyone who is eligible for the cost of living payment will receive the money automatically and does not need to apply.
Tax Credits Cost of Living Payment
HMRC announced that Tax Credit claimants will receive the second Cost of Living Payment a bit later than everyone else. The automatic payment will be rolled out between November 23 and 30.
The payments are being made shortly after the DWP payments in order to avoid duplicate payments. You should expect the payment if you received, or later receive, for any day in the period between August 26, 2022 and September 25, 2022 either a payment of tax credits for the tax year 2022 to 2023, or an annual award of at least £26 of tax credits for the tax year 2022 to 2023.
Furthermore, if you receive both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, you will only receive a Cost of Living payment from HMRC for the Child Tax Credit only. If you get tax credits from HMRC and a low income benefit from the DWP, then you will only receive a Cost of Living payment from the DWP.
£400 energy rebate
Every household in the UK will receive a total £400 discount on their energy bill between October 2022 and March 2023. In October and November, £66 will be taken off energy bills while in December, January, February, and March, £67 will be taken off.
Winter Fuel payment
If you were born on or before 25 September 1956 you could be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment of up to £600 to help you pay your heating bills.
You will get your Winter Fuel Payment automatically if you’re eligible and either get the State Pension or get another social security benefit (not including Adult Disability Payment from the Scottish Government, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit).
If you're entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022/23, then your payment will include an extra cost of living payment for your household, worth up to £300. The payment will be made by the DWP from November 2022 - however, no official date has yet been announced.
This payment will be made alongside any other cost of living payment, benefit, or tax credits. Depending on your unique circumstances, you can receive up to the following:
Born Between September 26, 1942, and September 25, 1956
- You qualify and live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify) - £500
You qualify and live with someone under 80 who also qualifies - £250
You qualify and live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies - £250
You qualify and live with a partner who qualifies, and either of you gets certain benefits - £500
You qualify and live with someone (not your partner) who qualifies, and either of you gets certain benefits - £500
You qualify, live in a care home and do not get certain benefits - £250
Born on or before 25 September 1942
- You qualify and live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify) - £600
You qualify and live with someone under 80 who also qualifies - £350
You qualify and live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies - £300
You qualify and live with a partner who qualifies, and either of you gets certain benefits - £600
You qualify and live with someone (not your partner) who qualifies, and either of you gets certain benefits - £600
You qualify, live in a care home and do not get certain benefits - £300
According to the government, most payments are made automatically in November or December, and all payments should have been made by 13 January 2023.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
The Warm Home Discount scheme for 2022/23 will open in November. Eligible households could get £150 off their electricity bills.
This year, the government says an additional 750,000 households will receive the rebate after it made changes to the eligibility criteria. To get the discount, you need to be eligible for one of the qualifying means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit, Income Support or Housing Benefit.
The rebate will be applied automatically to energy bills by energy suppliers. All suppliers with more than 50,000 domestic customers have to take part in the scheme, but it is optional for smaller suppliers.
Further details of the scheme for 2022/23 have not yet been published by the government, but are expected to appear here soon.
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