MILLIONS of people on benefits across the UK are weeks away from the first instalment of a one-off £650 payment.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a support package to tackle the cost of living crisis worth up to £1,500 for some people last month.
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As part of that package, people on means-tested benefits and Universal Credit are eligible for a one-off £650 payment.
The payment is to help poorer households pay for things like energy bills, fuel and food, which have all soared in recent months.
Last week, ministers announced the first chunk of the £650 grant will be paid on July 14.
Households will get £326 paid into their bank accounts – with another £324 to come at a date later in the autumn.
Mr Sunak announced the help to support households through the cost of living crisis, which is seeing the most vulnerable and poorest hit hardest.
It comes as energy bills are set to rise further this winter.
Martin Lewis warned yesterday energy bills could rise by another £1,000 a year this winter.
But there are also some people who will not receive the £650 cost of living payment.
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Those on Personal Independence Payments (PIP), as well as those receiving a Carers Allowance will miss out on the £650 payment.
Means tested benefits are based on your income and savings, including Universal Credit.
Therefore, how much money you have coming in or in your bank account will change how much of the benefit you get, or even if you qualify for them at all.
However, PIP and ESA are not based on income and it doesn’t matter how much income or savings you have – they are for people who may have a disability or health condition.
If you’re getting a non-means tested benefit, then you won’t get the £650 payment.
But you may be able to get help if you claim other means-tested benefits on top, or get help under separate schemes.
So, if you are on sick pay, maternity or paternity pay you won’t be eligible, but you could qualify for other schemes.
And EVERY household will get a £400 energy bill discount this winter regardless.
Who IS eligible for the £650 payment?
Those on the following benefits will get the £650 Cost of Living grant:
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
If you get any of these benefits, you’ll get the payment – find out how it’s paid and when here.
What benefits won’t qualify for the £650 payment?
The following benefits on their own won’t qualify you for the £650 one-off cost of living payment.
But often if you’re getting these you could be eligible for the means-tested benefits above which mean you could get part of it.
Anyone can check if they are eligible for benefits using a simple calculator tool.
You can use a free benefits checker from Turn2Us, Policy in Practice or EntitledTo to see.
You could also qualify for a different one-off payment instead, for instance if you have a disability or are over state pension age – see more in the sections below.
- 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
Who will qualify for the £150 payment?
Around six million people will get an extra £150 payment if they are disabled and claiming certain benefits.
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Scottish Disability Benefits
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
Find out more about the payment here and when you’ll get it.
Who will qualify for the £300 payment?
Millions of pensioners will get a £300 payment, known as the pensioner cost of living payment.
The payment will be made in November or December and is will help many heat their home this winter.
The cash is on top of the existing Winter Fuel Payment worth between £100 and £300 that those over state pension age get already.
Up to a million pensioners could be missing out on the £650 payment on top though.
That’s because they are eligible for pension credit – and so the £650 payment too – but have not applied.
Pensioners on low incomes are being being urged to claim so t hey can get the support.
