Millions of households will get the next £300 government cost of living payment from next month.
These payments will go out to people on means-tested benefits, as well as pensioners – but if you don’t qualify there is plenty of other help available.
Households are still grappling with average energy bills of £2,074 a year, as well as high costs for groceries, petrol and diesel.
In response, the Government has set up a number of schemes offering both money and vouchers to qualifying households.
Payments: Most £300 payouts will come from the Department for Work and Pensions, but claimants on Tax Credits will receive money from HM Revenue & Customs instead
Some have already run out, such as the £150 disability cost of living payment, which was made this summer.
But plenty are still available, with some coming online in the next few months.
What other cost of living help is coming this year?
Up to £300 for pensioners
Pensioners who get winter fuel payments also qualify for £150 or £300 as a pensioner cost of living payment this year.
The money is meant to help pay energy bills, which tend to be higher for the elderly as they require warmer homes and may have plug-in medical equipment.
Winter fuel payments are worth up to £600 and are paid to households containing someone born before September 26, 1956.
Eligible claimants should get the pensioner cost of living payment automatically.
£150 to heat homes
The Warm Home Discount is a £150 payment towards the cost of energy.
It goes out to two groups: those who get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit and those on certain means-tested benefits.
Households with a standard meter get the £150 as a rebate on their bills, while those with pre-payment meters get a voucher.
Payments will be made between October 2023 and March 2024.
Cash or vouchers from Household Support Fund
Households struggling with the cost of living can apply for cash and vouchers from the Household Support Fund.
That is a pot of Government cash that is handed out by local councils to people in their region.
The scheme was topped up with £842million in April of this year, and will run until April 2024.
The scheme is a postcode lottery, as each council decides how to hand out the money – and to whom.
Some councils will give out vouchers, and others cash, for example.
Local authorities have paid money and vouchers worth up to several hundred pounds per home.
Anyone can apply, but they may need to meet eligibility rules, such as having a low income.
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