MILLIONS of people with disabilities will start receiving £150 free cash from today.
The cost of living payment will be landing in the bank accounts of six million.
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The £150 comes as part of a bumper package of support from the Government and is designed to help cover care and mobility costs.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the vast majority of the six million will receive their payments by July 4.
You’ll also be able to spot when the free cash lands as it will come with a special code.
Just log into your online banking account and look for: DWP COL along with your National Insurance number.
For example, if your NI number is JT 83 42 97B your payment will show up as “DWP COL JT 83 42 97B” on your statement.
If you haven’t received it by July 4 but believe you qualify, you should contact the DWP to clarify what has happened.
Meanwhile, a small number of people will see the £150 land in their accounts after July 4.
This will apply if you were awaiting confirmation of your eligibility for the qualifying benefits on April 1.
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The benefits that qualify you for the £150 cost of living payment are:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Scottish Disability Benefits (Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
What other payments should I look out for?
It’s not just the £150 payment that’s being offered by Government to help people with the cost of living.
Millions have started receiving a £900 payment too.
The £900 payment has been split into three instalments worth £301, £300 and £299.
The first should have already been paid between April 25 and May 17 while the second and third will be paid in autumn 2023 and spring 2024.
Meanwhile, millions of pensioners are set for a £150-£300 payment this winter.
It will come as a top-up if you are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.
You qualify for this year’s Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 25, 1957.
You will be sent a letter in October or November telling you how much your Winter Fuel Payment will be.
Beyond the cost of living payments, you might be able to extra help via the Household Support Fund.
The £842million fund has been set up by the Government and distributed it among councils in England.
They then decide how to share their portion of the fund.
That means what you can get depends on where you live, but in most cases help is offered to those on a low income or benefits.
The type of support on offer varies as well – some local authorities are offering out food or utility bill vouchers while others are making direct bank transfers.
You should check with your local council if you can get help through the fund.
If you don’t know what council area you fall under, you can use the Government’s council locator tool on its website.
Meanwhile, a number of energy suppliers offer grants to households struggling with their bills. This includes:
- British Gas Energy Trust Individuals and Family Fund
- British Gas Energy Trust
- EDF Customer Support Fund
- E.ON and E.ON Next Grants
- Octopus Energy Assist Fund
- OVO Energy
- Scottish Power Hardship Fund
Plus, there’s a one-off fuel voucher from your energy supplier if you’re on a prepayment meter.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
