Eight million pensioners will receive a further £300 on top of the Winter Fuel Payment, whilst the six million people eligible for disability benefits will receive an additional £150.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that millions of the lowest-earning households in the United Kingdom will receive up to £1,350 in cost-of-living support from the Government over the 2023-24 financial year.
The financial support had been alluded to in the Autumn Statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, on 17 November 2022. Means-tested benefits claimants, including those receiving Pension Credit, Universal Credit and tax credits, will receive £900 in 2023-24 to help with the rising cost of living.
The exact dates when payments will be made are yet to be confirmed. DWP has however stated that payments will be spread out over 2023-24 to “ensure a consistent support offering throughout the year,” and has indicated the following windows as being the most likely:
- Spring 2023 – first cost of living payment – worth £301
- Summer 2023 – disability payment – worth £150
- Autumn 2023 – second cost of living payment – worth £300
- Winter 2023-24 – pensioners’ payment – worth £300
- Spring 2024 – third cost of living payment – worth £299
People already receiving cost-of-living benefits from the Government will not need to apply for this round of support as payments will be made automatically by HM Revenue and Customs.
The payments will be tax-free, will not count towards the benefits cap and will not affect other payments an individual receives.
