THE DWP has revealed a list of benefits that WON’T receive the first instalment of the cost of living payment from next week.
Struggling households on specific benefits including Universal Credit will be handed £900 in total, with the first payments hitting bank accounts from April 25 to May 17.
However, there are a some who won’t qualify for the help, including those who receive Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Child Benefit and Disability Living Allowance.
Other benefits include contributory Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Guardian’s allowance, Contribution-based, or “new style”, Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Maternity Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, State Pension, Statutory Adoption, Maternity, Paternity and Shared Parental Pay, as well as Statutory Sick Pay.
You will only be able to access the free cash if you’re in receipt of at least one of the following benefits: Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Pension credit, Child tax credit, Working tax credit and Universal Credit.
Read our Cost of Living blog below for the latest updates…
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Cost of living latest news:
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How much can I borrow for my mortgage?
Most mortgage calculators calculate how much you can expect to borrow from the bank.
However, these are just an estimate, the actual amount will depend on the lender and circumstances.
Bear in mind that while house prices have dropped for several consecutive months, lenders are short and interest rates have increased.
Rising rates and the cost of living crisis have meant fewer people are looking to buy a home or move home – badly impacting the housing market.
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11 ways to get interest-free or cheap loans if you’re struggling
There is help available for struggling households hit with surprise costs.
A rainy-day savings pot is the ideal way to cover an unexpected hit – but a stash of surplus cash during the cost of living crisis is a tough ask for many.
You should always check you are getting all the help you are entitled to before turning to borrowing.
However, if other options have been exhausted, it’s important to consider the best and cheapest way of taking on debt.
Here we outline some of the options that could be available to you.
- Interest-free loans for food
- Money from your job
- Free overdraft
- Interest-free purchases
- Buy now pay later
- Interest-free credit cards
- Interest-free help with mortgage repayments
- Universal Credit Budgeting Advances
- Budgeting Loans
- Credit union loans
- Interest-free local council loans
Find out more about each of the above loans here.
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Other payments in May
You should expect to see the first chunk of the £900 cost of living payment land in accounts between April 25 and May 17.
It’s £301 and it’s for households receiving certain benefits, including Universal Credit.
The payments are part of a package of wider Government support announced to tackle the cost of living.
It includes a further £300 payment for eligible families in autumn, and then a payment of £299 in spring 2024.
There will also be a £150 cost of living payment for eligible people with certain disabilities.
Millions are also in line for a separate £150 payment into their bank account to help with the rising cost of energy bills.
Around four in five households in England in council tax bands A to D should get the payment.
It’s been dished out since April 1 but many councils have had to wait to process payments, meaning many will come through in May instead.
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Full list of 12 benefits being paid early next week
Millions of households will see their benefits paid early next week due to an upcoming bank holiday.
Because May 1 is a bank holiday, it’s confirmed those who are due their benefit on the first will receive theirs on April 28 instead.
This counts for any of the following 12 benefits:
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Why has your Universal Credit payment stopped?
Failing to report a change in your circumstances can lead to your Universal Credit payments being halted.
This includes a new mobile number or email, a new job or house and a change in your savings.
But there are other scenarios where this might happen to you. This includes:
- not applying or looking for work
- refusing a job offer
- quitting your job without a good reason
- being late to appointments and interviews
- not taking a job in a different sector
You can appeal a sanction if you think you’ve been treated unfairly by the DWP by asking for a “mandatory reconsideration.”
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Five top tips to avoid wasting diesel and petrol while driving
With the cost of living crisis continuing to take a toll, the increased cost of fuel is a concern for most drivers.
Handily, insurance experts at A-Plan Insurance have rounded up five tips to help motorists avoid wasting fuel unnecessarily while driving.
- Watch your speed
- Watch your gears
- Remove weight and reduce drag
- Maintain your tyres
- Avoid travel hotspots
You can find more details on each of the above top tips here.
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How much does it cost to take a shower?
Research from Uswitch shows taking a 10-minute shower uses 1.42kWh of electricity, costing someone on a standard variable tariff around 48p a go.
If you did this every day it would cost you £175.20 a year.
That’s based on an 8.5KW electric shower and a unit rate of 34p.
However, this amount may be different if you are on an Economy 7 tariff.
With this, it will be cheaper to shower in the evenings.
Under the current price cap, it will cost you 37p to use an 8.5 kilowatt shower for 10 minutes at night.
But it will cost you 56p on a day rate and using the same power shower head for 10 minutes.
Ben Gallizzi, an energy expert at Uswitch, said: “People on Economy 7 will likely be paying more to shower during the day than those on standard tariffs with rates capped by the energy price guarantee, but night-time costs are lower.
“However, usually people with Economy 7 tariffs will pay their cheaper rates between midnight and 7am — so if you are an early riser, you may benefit from cheaper rates by taking an early morning shower rather than needing to have one in the middle of the night.”
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Key dates to look out for in May
Households receiving tax credits will receive their first payment from Tuesday, May 2.
The £301 payment will be paid automatically into bank accounts from this date up to May 9.
Only eligible families who receive tax credits and no other means-tested benefits will receive the payment from HMRC.
The payment will show as “HMRC COLS” in bank and building society accounts, so that they know the money is cost-of-living support.
To be eligible, households must have received a payment of tax credits between January 26 to February 25 2023.
If you qualify, you don’t need to apply or contact HMRC to receive the payment.
The payment to people on tax credits comes a week after those who get it via the DWP to avoid duplicate payments.
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What is Universal Credit?
Universal Credit is a welfare scheme that was designed to combine a number of old “legacy benefits” into a single monthly payment.
Whether you are eligible will depend on your individual circumstances.
You may be eligible if you meet all of the following criteria:
- you’re on a low income or out of work
- you’re 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)
- you’re under State Pension age (or your partner is)
- you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you
- you live in the UK
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Here’s how to avoid supermarkets tricks
Money-saving expert and director of online supermarket Britsuperstore Richard Price has given his top tips on what to look out for at the supermarkets and how to avoid spending extra.
Over the years supermarket trolleys have grown in size!
The larger the cart, the more likely you’ll end up spending more, so try to stick to a handbasket instead. Research found that when the size of the cart doubled, consumers bought 40% more.
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Brits can apply for £200 energy help
Brits who purchased alternative sources of fuel to heat their homes before last September can claim £200 in free energy help.
Households who used heating oil, liquefied petroleum gas, coal or biomass to heat their homes can claim the free cash help as part of an expanded government scheme.
To apply, you simply have to have evidence you purchased or used any alternative fuel to heat your home prior to September 2022.
Most eligible Brits would have received the £200 energy bill help automatically but some will still need to apply.
Households who use only alternative fuel must apply for the cash by May 31.
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Gardening tips to help cut costs
To help you spruce up your beds, patio or lawn for less, we asked Fiona Jenkins at trades matching site, Myjobquote.co.uk, to tell us about her cheap garden hacks.
Shelling out lots for plant pots can be costly, so Fiona recommends getting a bit creative.
“Why not try putting plants in old wellington boots,” she said.
“If you have ones your children have grown out of, these won’t cost you a penny.”
If you are set on purchasing pots, Wilko is a good bet, selling a pack-of-five large easy-release pots for £5.
While you’re there, you could pick up a three-tier planter stand for £25.
“But if you’ve got an old ladder lying around, you could use that instead,” said Fiona.
“Then you won’t have to shell out on a stand from a shop.”
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Full list of benefits that DON’T qualify for £301 cost of living payment
Millions are set to receive a £301 cost of living payment within weeks, but not everyone will get the cash.
Households on specific benefits including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Income support will get £900 in total.
However, there are some who won’t be eligible for the help such as those on Guardian’s Allowance and Child Benefit.
We’ve rounded up the full list of benefits that won’t qualify for the £301 one-off cost of living payment.
- Attendance allowance
- Carer’s allowance
- Child benefit
- Disability living allowance (DLA)
- Contributory, or “new style”, employment and support allowance (ESA)
- Guardian’s allowance
- Contribution-based, or “new style”, jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
- Maternity allowance
- Personal independence payment
- State pension
- Statutory adoption, maternity, paternity and shared parental pay
- Statutory sick pay
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Easy TV mistake everyone makes that could be adding £25 to bills
Households could cut down costs by using this simple TV trick.
Ian Palmer-Smith, director of service from Domestic and General says if you leave your TV switched on at the wall and turn it on and off with the remote, it could be costing you up to £25 extra per year.
Switching your TV on with the remote uses more energy because it’s just on standby rather than completely off.
Therefore, you’re best switching it on and off at the wall.
The TV is a vampire appliance which means it still uses energy when it’s off but plugged in at the wall.
Other examples include the washing machine, fridge or dishwasher.
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Free debt advice
If you’re in debt there are plenty of services you can take advantage of and they offer free advice on how to manage debt.
Most of them can offer you free guidance and help in person, over the telephone or online.
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Shoppers rushing to purchase £5 Pampers in massive sale
Asda and Morrisons have launched a massive sale on popular baby brand products such as Pamper and Huggies.
Many shoppers took to social media to share how they for example bought Pampers nappies for £5.
The Asda deals come as a part of the chain’s Baby and Toddler event which offers discounts across a range of products such as nappies, wipes and creams.
Many products are also available as Star Products as part of Asda’s reward scheme.
Meanwhile, those shoppers which hold a MyMorrisons card can take advantage of some great offers at the supermarket chain.
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What temperature to run your washing machine at to save money
To save on your energy bills, experts suggest lowering the temperature at which you wash clothes.
You’ll still be getting fresh and clean clothes if you switch from a 40C wash to a 30C one and it could save you £12 a year on average, according to Energy Saving Trust.
If you use your washing machine a lot, you’ll save even more if you lower the temperature.
Uswitch energy expert Will Owen previously told The Sun: “Use a cold water or 30C cycle where possible. It’s only for particularly dirty clothes, bad stains or underwear that you are likely to need warmer temperatures.”
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Martin Lewis warns anyone on low income to do 10-minute check to get extra cash
MoneySavingExpert has urged anyone on a low income to do a quick 10-minute check to get extra cash.
Writing in the weekly newsletter, the consumer champion revealed the easy way Brits can work out if they can get any benefits.
He pointed out that with wages not rising in line with inflation, more people may now be finding they now qualify for benefits.
It comes as Universal Credit and other benefits have gone up this week by 10.1%, in a bid to help struggling households.
Martin also said that those who do find they now qualify for benefits, could also be eligible for the second and third instalments of the new cost of living payments.
The quick 10-minute check involves using the MoneySavingExpert (MSE) Benefits Calculator.
Millions of households are eligible for potentially thousands of pounds a year in benefits and aren’t claiming.
The calculator was built for MSE by benefits specialists EntitledTo.
You can use the tool to find out whether you’re in line for help from the government.
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How much state pension will I actually get?
The amount of new state pension you receive depends on your National Insurance (NI) record throughout your adult life.
If you have made at least 35 years of qualifying NI contributions, you may qualify for the maximum amount, outlined above.
The same is true if you have received equivalent credits on your NI record for raising children or providing care.
If you don’t have 35 years, you may be able to top up your record by paying in voluntary NI contributions.
To get the full basic state pension you will need 30 years of NI contributions or credits.
To get any state pension at all, you will need at least 10 years on your NI record.
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How much is the state pension in 2023?
State Pension payments were increased yesterday.
The full rate of the new State Pension has risen from £185.15 a week to £203.85.
This equates to £10,608 in total over a year.
This is what the state pays those who reach state pension age after April 6, 2016.
The full basic State Pension under the old system is now £156.20 per week in 2023/24.
This is paid under the old pension system and is for those who retired before April 6, 2016.
There is also the additional state pension under the old system, which is an extra payment on top of the basic state pension some are entitled to.
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How EE, Three, O2 and Vodafone customers can save up to £200 a year
Millions of customers that are currently registered with EE, Three, O2 and Vodafone can save up to £200 a year by switching to a cheaper deal.
Consumer group Which? suggested that customers should change their contract when it ends.
It found that EE customers who deal has ended pay on average £23.80 a month and if they switch to Smarty’s 4GB offer which costs £18.80 a month, they can save up to £225.60 a year.
Meanwhile, Vodafone customers that pay around £22.20 a month can save up to £206.40.
Be aware that not everyone can simply just make the switch now, because millions might be trapped in a fixed-term contract.
Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: “Anyone not in contract should be thinking about making a switch or at least haggling for a much better deal from their current provider.”
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Exact temperature to set your boiler on to save £100
Checking the temperature of your boiler might make you notice that you need to turn it down and eventually help you save £100 on energy bills.
The average household sets their combination boiler water flow temperature between 75C and 80C, but lowering it to 60C can slash you gas consumption by 9% and save you £100.
The trick works if you have a combi-boiler, which provides both hot water and hearing.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said: “The flow temperature on your boiler is the temperature of the water that your boiler sends to your radiators.
“Reducing the flow rate on combination boilers can quickly knock money off heating bills, and you won’t even notice the difference. These types of boilers work best when the water going to radiators is heated at 60°C or below.
“However, most boilers are often set to a much higher flow rate, potentially costing the average household an extra £100 per year.”
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Thousands with prepayment energy meters cut off as debt tops £1billion
The numbers of customers with prepayment energy meters that can’t afford their bills and so have been cut off has rocketed by 220%.
It comes as 6,614 customers were forced to ask Citizens Advice for help in just three months.
Campaign group Debt Justice added how pre-pay energy users are now collectively in more than £1billion debt.
Senior policy officer at Debt Justice, Joe Cox said: “We need to pause energy debt enforcement, write down the unpayable debt and reform the energy system to ensure everyone has access to the energy they need.
“For prepay users, debt repayments speed up disconnection, exposing them to the deadly effects of cold and damp homes.”
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Should you get a pay advance?
While people are turning to borrowing money on credit cards to deal with the cost of living crisis, others are asking to borrow from their employers.
This led to some of Britain’s biggest companies to offer schemes that let workers access their cash before payday arrives known as salary advance or flexible pay.
This allows workers to get their cash when they need it rather than having to wait until the designated day of the month or week.
If your company is offering the scheme, you can apply for money you’ve earned before payday, normally up to 50% you’re due.
You might be charged one or two pounds for taking an advance, but most employers choose to cover that cost.
However, be aware that taking money early may leave you short for next month, so budget accordingly and make sure to take the right decision.
