Millions of households will receive support from the UK government as the cost of living intensifies.
Various demographics, from those receiving Department of Work and Pensions benefits, to those living with disabilities, to the elderly and to those struggling with energy bills, will be able to access extra funds through a variety of schemes that are being rolled out over the coming months.
The raft of initiatives were announced earlier this year by the Conservative government, with some support already arriving in people’s bank accounts, but with yet more to come.
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Second Cost of Living Payment:
100,400 families are said to be eligible for the means tested payment across the political constituencies of Edinburgh and the Lothians. With both the constituencies of Edinburgh East (12,800) and Livingston (14,100) having the highest number of recipients for the payments.
These families would have received the first part (£326) of the £650 Cost of Living Payment from July 14 earlier this year. The remaining second element (£324) will begin to be sent out by the DWP from November 8 and this will continue until November 23.
This payment will automatically be paid into the bank accounts of those that are eligible - through receiving a qualifying benefit - in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Meaning that those entitled will not have to do anything to receive the money.
You may receive the £324 cash boost if you claim any of the following benefits:
Universal Credit
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income Support
Pension Credit
Tax Credits - must be claimed alongside one other DWP benefit in this list, otherwise payment will be made later from HMRC
If you and our partner have a joint claim, you will receive one £324 payment for your the joint claim. Meanwhile, two individuals living in a house with two separate claims will receive two separate payments.
You can read more about this here.
Support for those living with a disability:
Around six million disabled people across the UK were entitled to be paid a separate £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment from September 20 if they were already in receipt of any of the following support:
Disability Living Allowance
Personal Independence Payment
Attendance Allowance
Scottish Disability Benefits
Armed Forces Independence Payment
Constant Attendance Allowance
War Pension Mobility Supplement
Around 85,300 individuals living with disabilities in Edinburgh and the Lothians were eligible for this payment. Two West Lothian constituencies, Linlithgow and East Falkirk and Livingston, had the highest number of recipients with 13,400 a piece.
What help exists for pensioners:
Over eight million pensioner households are set to receive a one-off £300 Winter Fuel Payment later this year. It is believed that this will go towards helping the elderly deal with the extortionate energy costs this winter.
Those in retirement who are on low-incomes have also been encouraged by the government to see if they are entitled to any additional support. This can range from a free TV licence for the over-75’s to help with costs for vital items such as glasses.
Retirees that receive the Winter Fuel Payment will be able to access a top up of between £200 and £300 in November and December. This is in addition to an extension to the Household Support Fund, which is providing an extra £421 million for use between October and March to help vulnerable people with the essentials.
Those who are aged 66 and over, and who live off a weekly income of less than £200 a week are urged to check the government’s pension credit information site here or to call the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 to see what support they are entitled to.
Help with energy bills:
Every household in the UK with get a £400 reduction on their energy bills over the coming months. Alongside this, a new ‘Energy Price Guarantee’ will be in place from October 1 which is expected to save each family at least £1,000 a year when based on current energy prices.
These payments will be automatically applied to bills for those paying by direct debit but those on pre-paid meters will have this attributed to their meter or sent out in the form of vouchers.
There is no need to apply for this support.
What government officials have said:
The work and pensions secretary, Chloe Smith, said: “Millions of families will soon see a £324 cash boost as part of our extensive £1,200 support package, helping to raise incomes and manage the rising cost of living. We understand that people are struggling which is why and we’re committed to supporting the most vulnerable households.
“That’s also why we are focused on driving growth and delivering quality public services so we can continue to support those in need through these challenging times while boosting opportunity for all.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng added: “We know that people have been worried about their bills ahead of this winter, which is why we’ve taken decisive action to hold down energy bills, saving the average household around £1,000 a year, and provided £1,200 of targeted support to the most vulnerable.
“Without our intervention, analysts were predicting that the average annual energy bill could have reached £6,500 next year. We were never going to let this happen.
“Our Growth Plan will also leave more money in people’s pockets and, over the longer term, help drive economic growth – the only way to permanently boost everyone’s living standards.”
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