Cost of Living Crisis - support
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Government Support for Families Struggling with the Cost-of-Living Crisis
The Chancellor recently announced a package of measures aimed at helping UK households with the cost-of-living crisis and soaring energy bills.
The package of help announced includes: -
• £650 one-off payment to low-income households on most means tested benefits and tax credits (other than those who only get housing benefit or a means tested tax reduction). These payments will be made directly to eligible households. It will be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards. DWP will make the payment in two lump sums: the first from July, the second in the autumn. Payments from HMRC for those on tax credits only will follow shortly after each to avoid duplicate payments.
• An additional £150 payment in September for individuals on a disability benefit, such as Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The government will make these payments directly to eligible people across the UK. To be eligible, you must be in receipt of (or have begun an eventually successful claim for) one of these benefits as of 25th May. These payments will be exempt from tax, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
• The £200 loan for energy bills will no longer need to be paid back and increases to £400. Energy suppliers will deliver this support to households with a domestic electricity meter over six months from October. Direct debit and credit customers will have the money credited to their account, while customers with pre-payment meters will have the money applied to their meter or paid via a voucher.
You can find more information in the Government’s [Cost of Living Support Factsheet: 26 May 2022].
Are you Claiming all the Benefits you are Entitled to?
Contact has developed a [benefits calculator] to help you make sure you are claiming everything your family is entitled to. It takes just 10 minutes, and with over £13bn in benefits going unclaimed every year, it might be worth making sure you're not missing out on anything.
Other Help with Water, Fuel and other Utility Bills
Contact’s helpline advisers have put together a list of schemes and grants that might help with water, fuel and other utility bills: [Find out whether you’re eligible and how to apply].
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