From Monday, more than six million households will begin receiving the £150 disability cost of living benefit.
For people claiming specified disability benefits, the one-time cash payment will be made between June 20 and July 4, 2023.
To get the cost of living payment, you must have been receiving a qualifying benefit on April 1, 2023.
If you are later discovered to be qualified for a qualifying benefit on this date, you may still be eligible.
The list of qualifying benefits 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
You do not need to apply for the £150 disability cost of living allowance because it is awarded automatically.
It also has no effect on any other advantages you may have and is not taxable.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, said: “This payment helps protect those who need our support the most, providing a vital financial boost to six million disabled people.
“Our multi-billion-pound package of support reinforces our commitment to help UK households with the rising cost of living. It comes on top of record increases to benefits and the national living wage.”
Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP, said: “We know the cost of living has gone up for disabled people, which is why we are taking action to reduce the financial pressures they face.
“This £150 disability cost of living payment is on top of up to £900 that most low-income benefit claimants will also receive, helping ensure the most vulnerable in our society are protected from rising costs during this challenging period.”
What additional assistance is available to me if I am not qualified for the £150 disability payment?
More than eight million people on means-tested benefits have started to receive a £900 cost of living payment.
The money is being split into three instalments, with the first part – worth £301 – having already been issued to the majority of eligible households.
No date has been set yet for when the last two parts – worth £300 and £299 – will start to hit bank accounts.
You have to be claiming the following benefits to get the £900 cost of living payment:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
All qualifying households receiving a Winter Fuel supplement will also get a £300 pensioner cost of living supplement.
This is in addition to the standard Winter Fuel Payment, which is worth up to £300 depending on your circumstances, so some households will receive up to £600.
Again, no specific date has been specified, but Winter Fuel Payments typically begin in November.