Who Qualifies, When and How Energy and Costs of Living Grants Are Paid

Yesterday, we gave you details of what Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s ‘Cost of Living’ crisis support package will be, today we explain who qualifies, how they will be paid and when.

£400 Energy Bill Grant

• This was changed from a loan to a grant i.e., it will now not be repayable and is increased to £400.
• It will be paid direct to all households via an energy bill discount in October.

£300 Extra Winter Fuel Payment

• If you are already at state pension age (currently 66) or will be by 25/09/2022, you qualify for the extra £300 (on top of the existing £200 or £300 winter fuel payment).
• The £300 top up will paid alongside your usual winter fuel payment in November or December.

£150 Extra to Those on Disability Benefits

• If you receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payments (PIP) or Attendance Allowance.
• It will be paid directly to you alongside your benefits in September.

£650 One-Off Payment to Low Income Households

• Who Gets it?  If you receive Universal Credit, Income related Employment and Support Allowance, Income based Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit and Working Tax Credits.
• Who Does Not Get It? If you receive Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independent Payments, State Pension, Maternity Allowance, Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance and Statutory Sick Pay.  You will also not get it if you only receive Housing Benefit and no other benefits.
• It will be paid in two instalments directly to your bank account: 1^st half in July and the 2^nd half in Autumn (month to be confirmed).

Comment

We are sure this extra support will be very welcome to low-income households and may help stave off a winter recession when further energy price increases will really start to hurt as we all turn on our heating in Winter.