The DWP has so far failed to send the £150 cost of living payment to the majority of eligible recipients, a new investigation has found.
The majority of eligible people on disability benefits have yet to receive the one-off £150 cost of living payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
According to a the expose by MSE, the Department for Work and Pensions said it had only been able to send out a limited number of payments due to “operational issues” – but confirmed “everyone” will be paid by the start of October.
A DWP spokesperson said: “We completely understand many people may be anxious because they have not yet received their £150 Disability Cost of Living payment but we want to reiterate that payments will be made automatically and the vast majority of people will receive them by early October.
“While some people have been paid this week, the majority of people will be paid next week. Anyone who has not been paid yet should wait until early October before querying their payment with the Department.
“Payments are automatic and you do not need to do anything to request a payment. We are on track to process the vast majority of payments by early October.”
Read our cost of living blog below for the latest updates….
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Cost of Living crisis to put pressure on the NHS, expert claims
The Cost of Living crisis has experts “worried” about the NHS, the BBC reports.
“We’re worried about people because of the cost of living,” Jillian Evans, head of health intelligence at NHS Grampian said.
“People who are unable to heat their homes, unable to have food at regular times – all of those people will be susceptible to greater illness.
“That will put a strain not just on themselves but on healthcare services. I’m worried about all of those things.”
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Three ways to cut fuel consumption during the cost of living crisis
Petrol costs might be gradually falling, but they are still higher than usual.
So, here are three ways to cut your fuel consumption when driving:
- Accelerating gradually without over-revving
- Always driving in the highest possible gear
- Allowing your car to slow down naturally as your brake
Click here for more advice.
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Cheap broadband deals for struggling Brits
Four million Brits are eligible for low-cost social broadband tariffs.
But despite a slew of firms providing low-cost deals, only 1.2% of eligible Brits have signed up.
Here is a list of companies which offer low-cost social broadband tariffs.
Click here for more information.
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How to apply for today’s £200 energy payment
Certain Welsh residents will be eligible to receive a £200 energy grant from today.
But how do you apply?
People will normally have to apply for the £200 through their local authority.
If you don’t know what local authority you fall under, you can find it here.
Click here for more information.
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Aldi’s popular toy range returns just in time for Christmas
Aldi’s iconic wooden toy range, which starts at just £15, is returning in time for Christmas.
As bills continue to rise, this line of toys is a great way to get Christmas gifts.
Here’s a full list of toys available this year along with their prices:
- Wooden Rainbow Climbing set: £59.99
- Wooden Baby Unit: £44.99
- Wooden Aldi Supermarket: £39.99
- Wooden Launderette: £34.99
- Wooden Play Shop/Theatre: £29.99
- Noah’s Arc/Nativity Scene: £14.99
- Hand Puppet Bundle: £14.99
Click here for more details.
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More tax cuts on the way, Kwasi Kwarteng claims
Kwasi Kwarteng has said that Brits can expect further tax cuts in the coming months, as the Conservative party looks to alter the British economy’s fortunes.
He said: “There is more to come… I want to see, over the next year, people retain more of their income because I believe that it’s the British people that are going to drive this economy.”
This comes just days after the Chancellor announced a so-called “mini budget” that introduced a slew of changes to the British economy.
Read more here.
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FREE debt advice for struggling Brits
There are various services available as costs mount.
Here are some free services that may be of use:
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New £200 bill help to launch in Wales tomorrow
Eligible Brits living in Wales will be able to apply for a one-off £200 cash payment to help pay for energy bills from tomorrow.
Named the Fuel Support Scheme, the initiative was launched by the Welsh government.
To be eligible for the payment, you must claim at least one of the following benefits.
- Income Support
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carers Allowance
- Contributory Benefits
- Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
Click here to read more.
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Cost of living advice for Halloween
Rebecca Bebbington, online consumer expert at NetVoucherCodes has advised people that if you’re planning a Halloween party of dressing the house up ready for trick or treaters, have a look at DIY options instead of splashing on expensive decorations.
Rebecca said: “Weigh up the costs of carving your own pumpkins to how much it’ll be to get crafty with glue and glitter for homemade spooky decorations.
“Perhaps think about what can be used more practically such as a hand-sewn pillow which can be used year-round and won’t appear out of place during off-season periods.”
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Income tax cut is good news for Brits on less than £50,000, Martin Lewis says
The MoneySavingExpert.com founder took to Twitter this weekend to explain how the government’s 1p cut to the basic rate of income tax will help Brits on less than £50,000 per year.
This new change will affect people on any wage between £12,571 and £50,270 and will save the average worker £170 on average next year.
Lewis said: “For anyone earning £50,000 and over, you don’t really get any more gain.
“The gain is really on the income between £12,570 and £50,000.”
Click here to read more.
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Cost of Living crisis to put pressure on the NHS, expert claims
The Cost of Living crisis has experts “worried” about the NHS, the BBC reports.
“We’re worried about people because of the cost of living,” Jillian Evans, head of health intelligence at NHS Grampian said.
“People who are unable to heat their homes, unable to have food at regular times – all of those people will be susceptible to greater illness.
“That will put a strain not just on themselves but on healthcare services. I’m worried about all of those things.”
-
Three ways to cut fuel consumption during the cost of living crisis
Petrol costs might be gradually falling, but they are still higher than usual.
So, here are three ways to cut your fuel consumption when driving:
- Accelerating gradually without over-revving
- Always driving in the highest possible gear
- Allowing your car to slow down naturally as your brake
Click here for more advice.
-
Cheap broadband deals for struggling Brits
Four million Brits are eligible for low-cost social broadband tariffs.
But despite a slew of firms providing low-cost deals, only 1.2% of eligible Brits have signed up.
Here is a list of companies which offer low-cost social broadband tariffs.
Click here for more information.
-
How to apply for tomorrow’s £200 energy payment
Certain Welsh residents will be eligible to receive a £200 energy grant from tomorrow.
But how do you apply?
People will normally have to apply for the £200 through their local authority.
If you don’t know what local authority you fall under, you can find it here.
Click here for more information.
-
Aldi’s popular toy range returns just in time for Christmas
Aldi’s iconic wooden toy range, which starts at just £15, is returning in time for Christmas.
As bills continue to rise, this line of toys is a great way to get Christmas gifts.
Here’s a full list of toys available this year along with their prices:
- Wooden Rainbow Climbing set: £59.99
- Wooden Baby Unit: £44.99
- Wooden Aldi Supermarket: £39.99
- Wooden Launderette: £34.99
- Wooden Play Shop/Theatre: £29.99
- Noah’s Arc/Nativity Scene: £14.99
- Hand Puppet Bundle: £14.99
Click here for more details.
-
More tax cuts on the way, Kwasi Kwarteng claims
Kwasi Kwarteng has said that Brits can expect further tax cuts in the coming months, as the Conservative party looks to alter the British economy’s fortunes.
He said: “There is more to come… I want to see, over the next year, people retain more of their income because I believe that it’s the British people that are going to drive this economy.”
This comes just days after the Chancellor announced a so-called “mini budget” that introduced a slew of changes to the British economy.
Read more here.
-
FREE debt advice for struggling Brits
There are various services available as costs mount.
Here are some free services that may be of use:
-
New £200 bill help to launch in Wales tomorrow
Eligible Brits living in Wales will be able to apply for a one-off £200 cash payment to help pay for energy bills from tomorrow.
Named the Fuel Support Scheme, the initiative was launched by the Welsh government.
To be eligible for the payment, you must claim at least one of the following benefits.
- Income Support
- Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credits
- Child Tax Credits
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carers Allowance
- Contributory Benefits
- Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
Click here to read more.
-
Cost of living advice for Halloween
Rebecca Bebbington, online consumer expert at NetVoucherCodes has advised people that if you’re planning a Halloween party of dressing the house up ready for trick or treaters, have a look at DIY options instead of splashing on expensive decorations.
Rebecca said: “Weigh up the costs of carving your own pumpkins to how much it’ll be to get crafty with glue and glitter for homemade spooky decorations.
“Perhaps think about what can be used more practically such as a hand-sewn pillow which can be used year-round and won’t appear out of place during off-season periods.”
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NHS worker reacts to ‘mini budget’ changes
The Sun has spoken with some ordinary Brits, to find out what they think about the Chancellor’s latest economic changes.
NHS worker Megan says: “That is more than I was expecting — £50 per month is great.
“But we’ve had an email from our energy provider to say our new energy tariff is £48 extra a month so we’ll have around £2 to play with. And we’re not even in winter yet.
“The Budget is not going to help the people that need it most. It helps those with lots of money.
“They say they want us to put this extra money into the economy, like going out for a meal, but it’s just going to go on our heating bills.
“Our fixed-rate mortgage ends in September next year when the repayments will be so much bigger.”
Click here for more reactions.
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Stamp Duty cuts explained
On Friday, the Chancellor announced a series of massive tax cuts one of which was a slash to Stamp Duty.
All houses costing over £200,000 will see Stamp Duty reductions.
See below for how YOU could save, and read here for more.
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Brits to cut back on Christmas spending as Cost of Living crisis worsens
Eight in ten Brits are set to cut back on their holiday spending this year, as the pressures of a rising cost of living hit home.
According to a poll conducted by QuMind, more than half will buy fewer presents than normal this year — with luxury purchases in the firing line.
Meanwhile, four out of ten will eat smaller Christmas dinners.
Boss Mark Ursell said: “These sobering consumer insights highlight just how much pressure families are under.”
Click here to read more.
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Alcohol duty to be cut
A rise in alcohol duty is among a raft of measures that have been scrapped by the Chancellor.
Kwasi Kwarteng insisted he had “listened to industry concerns” about future rises to the cost of a pint.
And in response, he said planned hikes to duty rates for beer, as well as cider, wine and spirits, “will all be cancelled”.
Read more here.
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Pet owners struggle amid cost of living crisis
As the cost of living surges, additional expenses other than the household essentials are becoming less and less affordable.
During the pandemic, it as recorded more people bought pets to help cope with the lockdown and loneliness, and more people were told to work from home.
Marina’s Animal Shelter in Truro, Cornwall has recently taken in more than 75 guinea pigs and rabbits, with a growing wait list, ITV reported.
Bristol Animal Care Rescue’s Gina Jones service told ITV: “People are struggling to afford their pets so we’re seeing more sign-overs and more demand for our outreach program.”
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Deaths could be higher this winter due to cold homes
A YouGov poll revealed that 21 per cent of Brits won’t be turning the heating on till at least November, to save money on bills.
Before the pandemic, 25,000 extra deaths were recorded between December and March.
The Marmot review released figures stating that 21.5 per cent of all excess winter deaths are connected to the coldest 25 per cent of homes, The Conversation reported.
Richard Morris from the conversation wrote that “5,000 extra deaths occur in winter because people live in cold homes.”
