Many Benefits and Work readers will receive up to £1,200 in additional support this year as a result of announcements made by the chancellor today.

The possible payments include:

  • £650 one-off Cost of Living Payment for those on means tested benefits
  • £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment
  • £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme
  • £300 One-off Pensioner Cost of Living Payment

£650 one-off Cost of Living Payment for those on means tested benefits

More than 8 million households on means tested benefits will receive a payment of £650 this year, made in two instalments. This includes all households receiving the following benefits:

  • Universal Credit
  • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Pension Credit

DWP will make the payment in two lump sums – the first from July, the second in the autumn. Payments from HMRC for those on tax credits only will follow shortly after each to avoid duplicate payments.

Claimants will need to be in receipt of one of these benefits, or have begun a claim which is later successful, as of 25th May 2022 to be eligible for the first of the two instalments. HMRC and DWP will provide further guidance, and the government will set out the eligibility date for the second instalment, in due course.

This payment will be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards

£150 Disability Cost of Living Payment

Around six million people across the UK who receive the following disability benefits will receive a one-off payment of £150 in September:

  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Scottish Disability Benefits
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • Constant Attendance Allowance
  • War Pension Mobility Supplement

Claimants must be in receipt of, or have begun an eventually successful claim for, one of these benefits as of 25th May 2022 to be eligible for this additional payment.

For the many disability benefit recipients who receive means tested benefits, this £150 will come on top of the £650 they will receive separately.

These payments will be exempt from tax, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.

The government will make these payments directly to eligible people across the UK.

One-off £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment

Pensioner households will receive an extra £300 this year to help them cover the rising cost of energy this winter.

This additional one-off payment will go to the over 8 million pensioner households across the UK who receive the Winter Fuel Payment and will be paid on top of any other one-off support a pensioner household is entitled to, for example where they are on pension credit or receive disability benefits. Eligible households currently receive between £200 - £300, so the payment will represent at least double the support for this winter.

The Winter Fuel Payment (including the extra Pensioner Cost of Living Payment) is not taxable and does not affect eligibility for other benefits.

All pensioner households will get the one-off Pensioner Cost of Living Payment as a top-up to their annual Winter Fuel Payment in November/December. For most pensioner households, this will be paid by direct debit.

People will be eligible for this payment if they are over State Pension age (aged 66 or above) between 19 – 25 September 2022. There are certain circumstances where an individual above State Pension age does not qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment which can be found here on gov.uk

The government will make these payments directly to households across the UK.

Energy Bills Support Scheme doubled to a one-off £400

Households will get £400 of support with their energy bills through an expansion of the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

As well as doubling the £200 of support announced earlier this year, the full £400 payment will now be made as a grant, which will not be recovered through higher bills in future years.

Energy suppliers will deliver this support to households with a domestic electricity meter over six months from October. Direct debit and credit customers will have the money credited to their account, while customers with pre-payment meters will have the money applied to their meter or paid via a voucher.

This support will apply directly for households in England, Scotland, and Wales. It is GB-wide and we will deliver equivalent support to people in Northern Ireland.

This support is in addition to the £150 Council Tax rebate for households in England in Council Tax bands A-D, which was announced in February, and which millions of households have already received.

Full details of the payments are available in the Cost of living support factsheet: 26 May 2022

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Petrocelli · 1 years ago
    Hi all

    Just wondering if I've comprehended the £400 grant correctly in that, for those who pay by DIRECT DEBIT it will be CREDITED TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS......................................verification please someone?

    Heartfelt thanks
    P
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Pat kirwan · 1 years ago
      @Joanne Webb That’s incorrect only if you have a pre pay meter. If you pay direct debit it is paid into your bank account as it states that. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Pat Kirwan · 1 years ago
      @Petrocelli Yes it is paid to the bank account if you pay by direct debit. It is added to the gas/electricity account only if you have a pre payment meter. So I pay Direct debit, so it will go in bank acct as the last Council tax band credit did. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Joanne Webb · 1 years ago
      @Petrocelli No it goes to the energy company not to your bank account.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Petrocelli · 1 years ago
      @lmjones Thanks Imjones, as I suspected, so we're stuffed if we have separate providers for gas and electricity and we want it to go to gas provider, which is what I heat and cook with!
      Suppose I'll just have to reduce leccy direct debit so gas account benefits the extra!!  I know I'm not alone, there are those that heat and cook using oil too!  I have in the meantime looked at the Gov't site and read it as you have...............goes to leccy account.
      Heartfelt thanks.P
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      lmjones · 1 years ago
      @Petrocelli No in fact it is credited to your electricity account
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    c brown · 1 years ago
    why do the goverment not just get the cap back on the power companies. £400 towards help with enrgy cost Oh its a grant so it WILL have to be paid back, HOW. as we all know they give with one hand and take with the other. Its a CON from the CONservatives, yet again people will be voting this lot into power because oh look dear boris messed up appologised and gave us all this money. NO HE HASN'T. they will get it off you and more than you will ever think.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Rosie Jackson · 1 years ago
    I completely fail to understand why there is a distinction between contribution-based ESA and income-related ESA. I was on the former until I received my work pension at 60, when I got a lump sum over the £16,000 threshold. Now I only get £11.38 a week on income-related ESA, but I have no idea how the DWP arrives at that figure.  I also get PIP. As I understand the situation, I will get the £150 disability support AND the £650 means tested support. If I had deferred my work pension to 65 (which I could easily have done) I would still be on contribution-based ESA and therefore NOT entitled to the £650, even though my weekly income would be less than it is now!  How can that make sense??  I am just going to "wait and see".... 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Anne · 1 years ago
    I recently retired last year. I get state pension plus dla. I was on income based ESA. As my son gets carers allowance I didn't receive my severe disability premium. Now I don't receive pension credit because he gets carers allowance. I still get housing benefit and council tax benefit. I am not entitled to free dental treatment. I know these payments are for the household rather than individuals. I don't know if I will get any of the £650 because the only means tested benefits I get are housing benefit and council tax benefit. My son also gets income support to top up his carers allowance. Does anyone know if we will be entitled to the £650? He has been my carer now and lives with me.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    NicNac · 1 years ago
    Oh yes, that’s another thing I don’t get because my husband works - the Disability Premium.  
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    NicNac · 1 years ago
    Why is it that people who worked before becoming ill always end up being the loser?  I worked full time for many years and because of that I’m expected to pay for prescriptions and  dental treatment.  Yes, I can get a prepaid prescription card but it’s still over £10 a month, where if I hadn’t worked I would get my medication paid for as well as my dental treatment.  

    I miss out on help with heating that people who haven’t worked get and now I’m going to be penalised with the cost of living payments too.

    It is completely round the wrong way and people who paid in should be looked after most or at least equally with those who haven’t.

    How long do they seem to think anyone who worked still has any money behind them?  I never had any money behind me at all, so I’m no better off than people who were on benefits prior to falling ill.

    I’m married and I’m lucky that we pool our incomes (my husband works) but what happens when husbands and wives don’t pool resources?  There are many people who keep finances separate and would flatly refuse to take care of their partner (it sounds really bad but it does happen) in the event that they couldn’t work any longer but it is expected that they will and do!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Petrocelli · 1 years ago
      @NicNac Hi Nic Nac

      I hear you loud and clear.............whilst I have some monies behind me, they're ring-fenced for house maintenance.

      I too am contribution based ESA.............so I'll be freezing again this winter when I'll be 65yrs old.................however,  I'm in touch with others who are on Pension Credit and Means Tested ESA and Pip...............how different their lives are.................I exist, they 'live', have a social life, eat the best foods, dine out etc., etc.

      Like you, the only thing I'll get will be the grant..............before the cost of living crisis I cook only once a week and eat the same thing for the whole week.  I switch off my hot water and heating which, when was able to switch and save, allowed me the luxury of having heating on for an hour a day..................I shower via an extra long shower hose attached to my taps on sink, which stretches over my bath next to it.............the water I use is that which sits in the tank in my airing cupboard which, when the loft etc., warms up towards the summer I then am promoted from cold water showers to warm showers...................I use a bucket in the bath to catch the run off water, which is clean and is then utilised for hand washing........................the list is endless.


      My spectacles needed 'extras' and the bill for them last year was £300, on top of them I too pay for my dentist..................was forced to go private years ago, due to NHS shortages..............being over 60yrs, I do however get free prescriptions, though I'd gotten them anyway for a few years due to a Thyroid problem.

      I cannot empathise with you enough........................................!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Take good care
      P
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Heidi · 1 years ago
      @NicNac \-\"It is completely round the wrong way and people who paid in should be looked after most"

      Hmm... I'm not quite sure I agree with that.  It's not a bank account, where you're entitled to draw out more because you saved more!  It also sounds frighteningly close to the 'deserving versus the undeserving' poor.

       | - | "I worked full time for many years and because of that I’m expected to pay for prescriptions and dental treatment."

      Support you receive with your current NHS prescription and dental charges is not based on your previous working income.  I'm not sure where you got that misinformation from.

      | - | "I miss out on help with heating that people who haven’t worked get" 

      The Energy Bills Support Scheme is not means-tested.  I'm not clear why you've interpreted this as being penalised?  All households will get £400 of support with their energy bills – yours included!

      And if you live in CT bands A-D you'll get an additional £150. Again, not means-tested, every household gets this - yours included!

      What 'help with heating do people who haven’t worked' get?  Is this people you actually know? Otherwise, I'm unclear how you know they haven't ever worked – they may be just like you... and me!  I also worked solidly for over 30 years, and have been (temporarily, I hope) unable to work since 2020.

      Living on benefits (designed ostensibly as a safety net for those with no partner or household income to level the playing field just a little) can be utterly bleak, and anyone who's had to make the choice between heating and food deserves all the support we can possibly give them, in my book.

      They're tested on your means, so those starting with less will get more to bring them marginally closer to those who already have.  It's meant to (it doesn't, but that's another thread) ensure those living in the worst possible hardship, don't continue to. It was never intended to be a buffer to those who already have support close by.

      Is it that you personally know people living in the same financial situation as you and your husband - yet they're somehow managing to claim benefits when you're not, and living a better financial life than you are, getting lots of extra support that you're being denied?

      In which case, are you sure you're claiming all the disability benefits you're entitled to – PIP etc?

      | - | "There are many people who keep finances separate and would flatly refuse to take care of their partner"

      I'd hope that situations where someone would 'flatly refuse to take care of their partner' are relatively thin on the ground.  And in any event, where claimants feel trapped in domestic abuse relationships, the DWP have specific measures in place to support those (usually) women. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Anna · 1 years ago
    It's a bit late for some who are already in heaps of debt. What we really need is help to cover the mounting interest charges where debts have mounted.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jod · 1 years ago
    I receive income related esa and pip live with my parents and do not get disability premium can anybody tell me if I'll get the £650
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Nain · 1 years ago
      @Jod Yes you will as my daughter receives both and she lives with us and she received her first half of payment 
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      Anne · 1 years ago
      @Jod I would like to know this too. Someone told me that it's only paid to a household and not individuals. I am not entitled as I don't get pension credit as my son gets carers allowance and income support. Will he get the £650? Does anyone know? He lives with me. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Fiona · 1 years ago
    I am in receipt of ESA and PIP. What will I receive? is it just the £150? or will I get more. I cannot work it out. thank you
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Claire · 1 years ago
      @Fiona If you are on Income based ESA, being a means tested benefit, you will receive the £650, split into 2 payments. However, if like me, you're on Contribution based ESA, you won't receive the £650, as that type of ESA is not means tested.  If you're unsure which type of ESA you're on, contact dwp.

      PIP will qualify you for the £150 later in the year.  As it is not a means tested benefit, it does NOT qualify for the £650, on its own merit.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jacqui · 1 years ago
    Will those on contributory ESA not get transferred onto Universal Credit then if it's not means tested?
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      Janette · 1 years ago
      @Angel I’m not sure but I heard ones on non contributionary esa after July are to get extra I’m sure but may be wronbg the new style esa may get you something ask welfare rights only ask professionals because people think there helping and they can be wrong aklways seek advice it’s really important .
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Angel · 1 years ago
      @Jacqui No they’ll move to NS (new style) ESA. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Anne · 1 years ago
    Someone in receipt of an Industrial Injuries payment, which is Non-Means Tested, will they receive the £150?
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    Raya · 1 years ago
    Hi.I have absolutely no idea if my benefits are income or contribution based which may seem daft ! I know I was in contribution based group at one point.
    Worked full time for 32 years.
    Been on ESA since them-2009..
    With severely disabled component and disability income guarantee
    In support group.
    And letter gives an INCOME related total amount.
    So can anyone please confirm if that is income related group and I may get the £650 ?
    Also on low level PIP for care separately.It changed over from DLA.
    Thank you 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Angel · 1 years ago
      @Raya If you are getting premiums those are (income related) IR ESA. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Emma · 1 years ago
      @Raya Low income benefits
      You may get a payment of £650 paid in 2 lump sums if you’re getting any of the following:

      income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
      income-related Employment and Support Allowance
      Income Support
      Pension Credit
      Universal Credit
      You will get one payment from July 2022 and a second payment in autumn 2022, if you’re entitled.

      You will need to have been entitled to one of these qualifying benefits on 25 May 2022 to get the first payment.

      We will update this guidance when the government has announced the date on which you need to have been entitled to one of these qualifying benefits to get the second payment.

      If you have a joint claim with a partner, you will get one payment of £650 for both of you, paid in 2 lump sums from July 2022 and in autumn 2022, if eligible.

      You will not get a payment if you’re eligible for a Cost of Living Payment from HMRC because you’re entitled to tax credits.

      If you get New Style Employment and Support Allowance or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance, you will not be entitled to the Cost of Living Payment, unless you get Universal Credit or a disability benefit as well.

      This may help u it's from the real government  website
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Andy S. · 1 years ago
    I'm on the 'old-style' Contribution Based ESA but also receive Enhanced Disability Allowance as a 'top-up'.

    Seeing as the Enhanced Disability Allowance is classed as Income Related ESA and is means tested, does anyone know if this means I may qualify for the £650 ?

    Technically I have always thought I was classed as being on both Contribution and Income related ESA. I know that since getting the Enhanced Disability top-up I now qualify for free prescriptions etc as it is classed as me receiving Income Related ESA.

    All very confusing!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Chris C · 1 years ago
      @Andy S. *Amount
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Chris C · 1 years ago
      @Andy S. Hi Andy S 
      Im in a very similar position to you : CB ESA with EDA and I received a payment of £326 in to my account so you should be receiving a similar abut shortly.
      Best Wishes 
      Chris
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Crisi · 1 years ago
      @Chris C I am exactly the same ..I don't think we will get it
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Chris C · 1 years ago
      @Andy S.  I'm completely baffled by it all ,,,seems very divisive ,,,I think Im in a similar situation to you Andy S... I get contribution Based ESA and get an enhanced premium of £17.35...Does this mean I will receive £650..??
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Chris C · 1 years ago
      @Raya I'm completely baffled by it all ,,,seems very divisive ,,,I think Im in a similar situation to Andy S... I get contribution Based ESA and get an enhanced premium of £17.35...Does this mean I will receive £650..??
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Lesley · 1 years ago
    I receive ESA at the moment but in August I will get my state pension instead.Will I get the first half of the £650 means tested benefit payment in july ?
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      Roz · 1 years ago
      @Denise Hi Denise,
                       You may know now but if you don’t here is what you will get.
      £326 x2 one should of already been received the second sometime in autumn date not yet confirmed.

      £300 pensioner premium paid in autumn.

      If disabled £150 disability premium again in autumn.

      We get £400 towards fuel costs some paid direct some via meter credit.As far as I’m aware again in autumn.

      I believe also £200 off council tax also band A -C

      I hope this helps try not to worry you will get your money.I get esa also and my first payment has been made.
      Take Care
      Roz x


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      Angel · 1 years ago
      @Denise Put in an application for Pension Credit when you apply for your State Pension. You are not given these automatically. 
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      Denise · 1 years ago
      @Lesley Oh i really hope someone can reply with the proper answer to this because i too am on ESA income related at the moment but i turn 66 in august so will become a pensioner and i just dont know what i will be able to receive.its so worrying and i can hardly sleep thinking im not going to be eligible for that one off big payment.I keep praying tho and its all i can do.thank you.denise.
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    George · 1 years ago
    We are in receipt of child tax for our son at the moment but he leaves full time approved further education at the end of June does this mean we are not entitled to qualify?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      matthewafollows · 1 years ago
      @George You will definitely qualify for the first payment as that was 25th May cut off. But unsure of the second one (second part of the £650). The gov hasn’t announced the qualifying dates for that yet. 
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    Mary · 1 years ago
    I have so many ailments  i have bern turned down fo pip.Dystonia ,titanium cage in spine,Copd carpul tunnel,pacemaker, 
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      Debbie · 1 years ago
      @Mary Fight it appeal or ask for mandatory reconsideration don't let them get away get someone on your side and tell them how bad you are and they might reimburse you good luck xx
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Billis · 1 years ago
    Regarding the pensioner cost of living payment, does anyone know the significance of the cut off date of 26th September 1955? I was born in December 1955 so don't qualify. Surely anyone born up to December 31st 1955 should quailfy as they will all be 66years old now?
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    C Crotty · 1 years ago
    Does the £150 for someone on DLA include the under 16s As my husband gets this on my sons behalf
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    DianaW · 1 years ago
    So those of us whose Invalidity Benefit was renamed ESA, but don't qualify for means-tested ESA, don't get the Disability Cost of Living payment?
    Surely that's illegal discrimination!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      MrFibro · 1 years ago
      @DianaW @DianaW

      And so was the 20 quid a week upliftment, which was not given to legacy benefit claimants during the pandemic.

      That was illegal discrimination against disabled people.

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jacqui · 1 years ago
      @DianaW Diana, was it not incapacity benefit?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Andrew · 1 years ago
    hi i am in temporary accommodation just now ie lodgings waiting to be rehoused i am on UC, receive LCWRA & PIP because of my mental health, will i be entitled to the £650 cost of living payment? i pay monthly rent to my landlady but dont deal with gas, electricity or council tax, is it just the householder that will qualify for this? dont think she receives any benefits and works full time
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