Six million disabled people to benefit from Cost of Living payment from September 2022
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that around six million disabled people in the UK will receive their one-off £150 disability Cost of Living payment from 20th September 2022.
Those being paid a qualifying disability benefit will be paid automatically from 20th September 2022, with the vast majority of those eligible expected to receive their one-off payment within a couple of weeks by the beginning of October 2022.
The payment intends to help disabled people with the rising Cost of Living, acknowledging the higher disability-related costs they often face, such as care and mobility needs.
For disabled people on low incomes, the payment will come on top of other Cost of Living payments totaling £650, £400 for all households to help with energy bills and an extra £150 for properties in Council Tax bands A-D in England.
Chloe Smith, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work said: “We know disabled people can face additional costs, which is why we are acting to help reduce the financial pressures on the most vulnerable.
“This £150 disability payment is on top of the £1,200 most low income benefit claimants will also receive and alongside wider support targeted at disabled people, including help with transport and prescription costs.
“We know it’s a worrying time for some people and I’d urge them to check they are getting all the support on offer by searching Help for Households.”
Over eight million eligible households in receipt of a means-tested benefit received the first of two automatic Cost of Living payments of £326 from 14th July 2023. The second means-tested payment of £324 will be issued later this year.
The Cost of Living payments from the government is part of a £37 billion package of support, which will see millions of households receive at least £1,200 this year to help cover rising costs.
The government has also expanded support for the Household Support Fund in England, which helps people with food and energy bills – with an extra £421 million – for October 2022 to March 2023, and topped up funding by £79 million for devolved nations; the total value of this support now stands at £1.5 billion.
This is all in addition to changes to the Universal Credit taper rate and work allowances worth £1,000 a year on average for 1.7 million working claimants, a rise in the National Living Wage to £9.50 an hour, and a tax cut for around 30 million workers through a rise in National Insurance contribution thresholds.
Nadhim Zahawi, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “We know that rising prices faced by many countries around the world are a significant worry for many people here in the UK, especially those most vulnerable to additional costs.
“Today’s announcement that disabled people will begin to receive an additional £150 payment from the end of September reinforces our commitment to help UK households through the challenging times ahead.
“This payment is in addition to further help households can expect over the coming months – including a second cost of living payment of £324 for households on means-tested benefits, £300 for pensioners this winter and £400 discount on energy bills for every household. This is all part of our significant £37 billion support package.”
It was recently announced that mobility and access retailers and suppliers could suffer as a consequence of cash-strapped consumers after Chancellor Rishi Sunak was criticised for failing to address the impact of rising living costs for disabled and elderly people in his Spring Statement.
Those who receive the following disability benefits may be eligible for the one-off payment of £150 in September: 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 and War Pension Mobility Supplement.
Those who had confirmed payment of their disability benefit for 25th May can expect to be paid shortly after the payment window opens. For those awaiting confirmation of their disability benefits on 25th May, or who are waiting to be assessed for eligibility to receive disability benefits, the process may take longer but payments will still be automatic.
You must have received payment (or later receive payment) of one of these qualifying benefits for 25th May 2023 to get the payment.
