EIGHT million Brits living on low incomes could be eligible for the Cost of Living crisis payment, that launched on Thursday 14 July.
The first payment of £326 hit bank accounts from last Thursday onwards.
It’s the first instalment of the £650 payment to those claiming Universal Credit, and certain other benefits.
But not everyone has received their payment yet.
You might be waiting for your first instalment, as payments are staggered and are being sent at different times.
If you are on Tax Credits, or being on Child Tax Credits, you will get benefits from HMRC instead of the Department of Work and Pensions, so it will arrive later.
To get the first cost of living payment, you must have been entitled to Universal Credit payments from April 26, 2022 to May 25, 2022.
As far as we know, the next payment will be made in autumn, most likely around October time, before temperatures start dropping.
Read our cost of living payments live blog below for the latest updates…
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Wetherspoons just launched a massive summer deal with drinks at £1.99 each
The deal sees customers snatching up a selection of 28 different drinks for less than £2!
Drinks for less includes:
- Edinburgh Gin Rhubarb & Ginger
- Beefeater Blood Orange
- AU Blue Raspberry Vodka
- Dead Man’s Fingers Pineapple
- Kopparberg draught cider
- Stowford Press Mixed Berries
You can find your local branch using the chain’s pub checker tool on its website.
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Thousands of households can get £75 in FREE cash for groceries
If you need help making ends meet as bills spiral, you can apply to your local council’s Household Support Fund.
The scheme, which has had £1.5billion piled into it so far, sees local authorities given a slice of funding to dish out to hard-up residents.
It aims to help households pay for spiralling bills like energy and groceries, as a crippling cost of living crisis hits the nation’s finances.
Energy bills are expected to hit just shy of £3,000 by the end of this year, while food bills are soaring due to rocketing inflation.
Help you can get under the scheme varies depending on where you live.
Click here to find out more.
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What help are energy companies providing?
Many people are struggling with surging energy bills. What help is there out there, though?
Energy suppliers have schemes in place to help with bills and arrears, including hardship funds and grants.
For example, British Gas and Octopus have set up funds worth up to £1,500 to assist customers who are struggling with their bills.
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Half of all households cut back on food
Millions of households are facing miserable price hikes as a crippling cost of living crisis causes havoc on our finances.
Inflation stands at 9.4%, the highest seen in 40 years, and it’s driving the prices of bills and essentials up.
The price of food and non-alcoholic drinks has risen at the highest rate seen since March 2009.
While energy bills are expected to hit just shy of £3,000 by the end of this year, and at least six million owe their energy supplier money.
Households are having to choose between paying mounting energy costs or putting food on the table, new research shows.
Click here to read more.
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Child poverty charities say cost of living package isn’t enough
Campaigners accused the UK government of “abandoning” vulnerable children and families.
Reportedly, the Child Poverty Group said that many children will be facing a “difficult summer” ahead.
The Guardian reported that Alison Garnham, the chief executive of the charity said: “As families battle to stay afloat, investment in social security for the long term has to be the top priority for the next prime minister.
“A decent living standard for children should never be dependent on retail discounts.”
This comes after the government extended it’s support scheme, wherein children can get a meal for £1 in ASDA’s café.
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Sun’s vouchers! Check before you buy
The Sun has vouchers for a whole range of shops, don’t miss out!
From clothes to household appliances, and even groceries, you could grab some great savings.
- 15 per cent off ASOS
- 10 per cent of M&S
- 15 per cent off Reebok online
Click here to get all The Sun’s best deals!
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Can disabled people receive the £650 grant?
Those eligible for the disability payment may also be able to gain an extra £650, according to i News.
The grant is being rewarded to people who gain means-tested benefits.
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Brits struggling to maintain lifestyles in cost of living crisis
Living habits have altered massively due to the soaring rates of inflation.
Many have cut back on everyday “luxuries” including streaming services like Netflix.
Speaking to the Guardian, one Brit, a 71 year old from Bristol, named Kate had to cancel her subscription as she can no longer afford it.
She told the publication: “I’ve been trying to cut down on weekly spending – it’s not a lot but when you start adding up the odd 10 quid, they do add up.
“There’s no point if you’re not making any use of the service.”
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UK drivers can spend £1,100 more every year owning an electric car
The cost-of-living crisis is putting a squeeze on budgets up and down the country – and motorists are looking to cut costs at every turn.
But some electric cars might be costing drivers over a thousand pounds extra every year.
For electric car users without off-street parking, the cost of charging their car can top out at a whopping £1,320 per year.
With inflation hitting its highest levels in 40 years and fuel prices sky-rocketing, many motorists may be considering turning to electric vehicles.
But electric car drivers that don’t have off-street parking are splashing out – paying on average £1,155 more per year than users with a driveway.
Click here to read more.
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Chancellor of the Exchequer on the cost of living crisis
Nadhim Zahawi spoke of the rising inflation and the action the government is taking.
In a statement on the government website, he said: “I know that people are finding things difficult with rising prices an increasing pressure on household budgets.
“That’s why we’er taking action to control inflation and providing immediate help for households.
“It’s so important that over 7 million vulnerable households have received £326 direct payments so far and there is also more help to come, with 8 million of the most vulnerable households receiving £1,200 of direct support to help with bills over the winter.”
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Disability cost of living payment
Many are going to receive a payment of £150 if they have a registered disability.
They payment will arrive in autumn, according to the government website, 1 in 10 will receive this payment.
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What help are energy companies providing?
Many people are struggling with surging energy bills. What help is there out there, though?
Energy suppliers have schemes in place to help with bills and arrears, including hardship funds and grants.
For example, British Gas and Octopus have set up funds worth up to £1,500 to assist customers who are struggling with their bills.
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Help you can get with cost-of-living crisis now
One million people on the lowest incomes are still waiting for the cost of living payment from the Government.
If you’re struggling with energy costs or other bills there are plenty of organisations where you can seek advice for free, including:
National Debtline – 0808 808 4000
Step Change – 0800 138 1111
Citizens Advice – 0808 800 9060
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£650 cost-of-living payment: Is it tax free?
Yes, the payment will be tax-free, will not determine the benefit cap, and will not affect current benefit awards.
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£650 cost of living payment: When will it be paid?
The Government is issuing the payment in two lump sums. The first £326 is being paid between July 14-31, and an extra £324 will follow in the autumn.
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Will my partner also get a £650 payment?
If you have a combined claim with a partner, you will only get one payment of £650 for both of you, according to i News.
Means-tested benefits are provided based on your income and how much capital you have – if someone can prove that their income and capital are below a certain level, they are eligible.
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£650 grant: Which means-tested benefits make me eligible?
The Government says its £650 grant will be rewarded to eight million households, especially those receiving the following, according to i News:
Universal credit
Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
Income-related employment and support allowance
Income support
Working tax credit
Child tax credit
Pension credit
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Can disabled people receive the £650 grant?
Those eligible for the disability payment may also be able to gain an extra £650, according to i News.
The grant is being rewarded to people who gain means-tested benefits.
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Disability payment: When will it be paid?
Eligible claimants will gain their payment from September, according to i News.
Payments will be issued to those who get a qualifying disability from DWP before those who get it from the MoD.
You do not have to register for the payment, it should be paid to you automatically.
The £150 disability payment is tax free, and won’t count towards the benefits cap or affect any existing benefits you currently claim.
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How will disability benefit work if I get two separate qualifying payments?
According to i News, if you receive a qualifying disability benefit mentioned in previous posts from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and a qualifying disability benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), you will only get a payment from DWP.
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Disability benefit: How do I qualify?
Those battling the cost of living crisis may be relieved to know the Government is providing them with a one-off disability payment worth £150.
According to i News, you must have received one of the following qualifying benefits by May 25, 2022:
Attendance allowance
Constant attendance allowance
Disability living allowance for adults
Disability living allowance for children
Personal independence payment (PIP)
Adult disability payment (in Scotland)
Child disability payment (in Scotland)
Armed Forces independence payment
War pension mobility supplement
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£150 disability cost of living payment: Am I eligible?
Soaring inflation is leading the Government to introduce a raft of measures to help people, including a £150 sum for people with disabilities.
According to i News, you will be eligible for such a payment if you receive one of the following:
- Attendance allowance
- Constant attendance allowance
- Disability living allowance for adults
- Disability living allowance for children
- Personal independence payment (PIP)
- Adult disability payment (in Scotland)
- Child disability payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces independence payment
- War pension mobility supplement
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NHS Wales: RCN to ballot members on industrial action over pay
A nursing union is to ballot members on likely industrial action after most NHS employees in Wales were offered a below-inflation pay rise.
BBC News reports that doctors, consultants, GPs and nurses in Wales are being offered between 4 percent and 5.5 percent.
Other NHS workers, including cleaners and porters, will receive an average of 7.5 percent, the Welsh Government said.
“Nurses will be outraged to hear the pay award is well below inflation yet again,” said Helen Whyley, director of the Royal College of Nursing in Wales.
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Cost of living payments: what you need to know
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One reason why you WON’T get the £650 payment even if on Universal Credit
You worked overtime
The same could apply if you have done overtime in the period April 26 – May 25.
If you earn more than usual from working more hours, this could also reduce your Universal Credit to zero.
This means you could miss out on the first half of the cost of living cash worth £326.
