MILLIONS of Brits will get the first chunk of their cost of living payments in just over two weeks – after ministers passed the law last night.
New rules were given the rubber stamp to pay people direct to their bank accounts for the first time.
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The first £326 for eight million people is expected from July 14 onwards.
The second part will come in the autumn.
Dates have not yet been revealed for when the elderly and disabled – who will get an extra chunk of money too – will be dished out.
The money is to help Brits facing rising prices and increased costs.
In total, millions of Brits are set to get at least £1,200 from the Government this year to help with rising costs.
Inflation is set to soar to 11 per cent, and the energy price cap to rise to around £3,000 in the autumn too.
That includes a £150 council tax rebate already dished out.
And everyone is set to get a £400 energy bill rebate later this year too.
Pensioners will be able to get £300 extra, and disabled people another £150 on top of the £650 cash help – but there’s no date for these payments yet.
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Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced low income households would get the help as part of a bumper £15billion emergency package of support for spiralling bills.
Extra cost of living help you can get NOW
If you’re struggling to get by now, there’s help you can get while you wait for your cost of living payments.
Council tax bill
Some households on low incomes could be eligible for a discount on their council tax bill.
You could get your bill reduced to zero, and with the average bill for a band D home at £1,898, that could be a significant saving.
Find out what you could get in our guide.
Energy bill grants and vouchers
Several suppliers offer energy bill help through hardship funds and give out grants worth as much as £750 – you don’t have to repay the cash.
British Gas just added and extra £2millionto its Energy Trust fund to help struggling customers.
Contact your supplier directly to see what they offer, what the eligibility requirements are, and how much you can get.
If you’re on a prepayment meter you might be able to get a one-off fuel voucher from your energy supplier.
Council funds
The Household Support Fund, which helps families with the rising cost of living, has been extended.
This help could include cash grants to pay bills or cover food costs – the help will depend on where you live.
For example, residents in Blackpool can get as much as £300, depending on their circumstances.
To find out what support is available in your area, contact your local council.
Councils also have welfare assistance schemes which help low income families with necessities like food and other bills.
£150 council tax rebate
Four in five households will be getting £150 payment to help cover the cost of rising energy bills.
The cash is being dished out by councils as a one-off payment rather than a discount on your usual council tax bill.
You’ll get it if you’re in council tax bands A-D, though a discretionary fund is also available for households not eligible and will give out £150 payments too.
You don’t have to pay this cash back but you might have to apply to get it if your local authority does not have direct debit or bank details for you on record.
Here’s everything you need to know about the scheme.
Rent and housing help
Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is a little-known pot of money handed out by councils to cover shortfalls in rent and help with deposits.
The financial support is available to those getting benefits for housing in England and Wales.
Each local authority dishes out DHP cash to those in need on a case-by-case basis, and the amounts available can vary.
So you’ll need to speak to your council to see what’s available where you are.
