SURPRISE payments are hitting some people’s bank accounts worth £150.
The cost of living cash has been spotted by sharp-eyed Brits – but many have been left wondering if they will get it too.
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There are several schemes that are paying out this amount, including the disability cost of living payment.
The cash went out to those eligible from September 20 last year.
Although everyone should have received the help by the end of October 2022, there are some exceptions.
For example, if someone later became eligible for the payment they may get it later on.
This could be because they made a claim for one of the qualifying benefits that was backdated, or if there was change of circumstances
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is understood to regularity review people’s entitlement, which could trigger a payment.
Others are getting a payment because they are eligible for the Warm Home Discount scheme.
This offers £150 and the money is paid by your energy supplier automatically.
The deadline for the payments to be made is March 31, meaning some may only just be getting the money now.
A third scheme the offers cash payments in the coldest weather could also see you get a surprise payment.
Cold Weather payments are handed out to hard-up Brits when temperatures plummet below zero for a seven-day period between November 1 and March 31.
The amount is less – £25 each time – but there are multiple areas where have been more than one payout adding up to £50 or £75.
Here we explain how each scheme works, who can get the cash, and what to do if you think you should get it but haven’t.
Disability cost of living payment
Millions of people are eligible for this payment if they get the following benefits:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
You should have got the cash last year and you’re eligible if you were claiming any of these benefits on May 25, 2022.
You should have had the cash automatically paid into your bank account where you usually get your benefits.
If you think you should have had it but haven’t you can report it online on the gov.uk website.
But you should double check your account first in case you had the payment but didn’t spot it. It’s paid separately to your usual benefits.
A further cost of living payment will be made to help disabled people with rising bills.
The cash is expected to go out in “summer 2023” but an exact date has not yet been revealed.
The first of three cost of living payments totalling £900 is due to start hitting bank accounts from April 25.
The £301 is for those on other benefits like Universal Credit and other means-tested benefits – see if you might get this payment too.
Warm home discount
Eligible households can get £150 off their electricity bill each winter and it’s aimed at those on the lowest incomes.
Households in England and Wales don’t need to apply to get the cash and they’ll automatically qualify if they are receiving certain benefits.
In Scotland, some customers will need to apply for cash.
Energy suppliers will automatically dish out the payment as long as you were receiving certain benefits on or before Sunday, August 21.
But if you later launch a successful claim for backdated benefits, you may still be able to qualify after this date.
Those eligible should’ve received a letter last year to confirm they get the payment.
It’s up to individual energy companies to decide when they will give their customers the discount.
You’ll need to be a recipient of one or more of the following benefits to qualify:
You’ll usually get the money paid as a discount on your energy bill but may get a letter with a voucher if you are on a prepayment meter.
If you haven’t had a letter and think you are eligible contact the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 107 8002.
Or via post to: 110552 Warm Home Discount Scheme, PO Box 26965, Glasgow, G1 9BW.
Cold Weather Payments
The cold weather payment is dished out when temperatures are recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees or below, on average, for seven consecutive days.
The financial support is worth £25 and you can get it more than once if the temperature drops often.
You can check if your area has had a cold weather payment by popping your postcode into the government’s tool on its website.
The payments should arrive within 14 working days.
The cash is paid into the same bank or building society account as the one used to pay benefits, and doesn’t affect any other allowances you may claim.
You should see the following code on your bank account or statements when you get one of the payments: “DWP CWP”.
You’re eligible for the cold weather payment scheme if you’re in receipt of one of the following benefits and meet certain criteria:
Depending on your specific circumstances, you may also need to meet one or more of the following additional criteria:
- Have a disability or be in receipt of pension premium
- Have a child who is disabled
- Be in receipt of child tax credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- Have a severe or enhanced disability premium
- Be in receipt of a limited capability for work amount
- Have a child under five living with you
Regardless of employment, Universal Credit claimants are eligible if they have a disabled child amount in their claim.
You can find out more about eligibility on the government’s website.
You don’t need to apply for the cold weather payment as it’s paid automatically to those who are eligible.
If you don’t receive a payment and believe you’re eligible then you can tell your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus office, or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
If you’re getting Universal Credit, you can also sign in to your account and add a note to your journal.
