Claimants are facing the biggest cut in the value of their benefits for 50 years according to the Joseph Rowntree Trust (JRF). The fall is due to the government’s decision to only uprate benefits by 3.1%, in spite of the fact that inflation is projected to be  7.1% by the end of this month.  We’re asking readers to tell us how the increasing cost of living is affecting you.

The increase in benefits in April each year is based on the rate of inflation the previous September.  But this year it means that the uprating figure is based on the rate of inflation before the cost of living crisis took hold. JRF say that benefits were already at historically low levels and that this new real-terms cut will push an additional 600,000 people into poverty.

Worse may be to come, with predictions that inflation will hit 9% later this year, driven by further rises in energy prices.

Peter Matejic, Deputy Director for Evidence & Impact at JRF said:

“With living costs predicted to rise further this year, it is difficult to comprehend the logic behind a choice not to act to protect the value of benefits, thereby imposing the single biggest benefit cut of its kind in fifty years. The government has chosen to weaken the incomes of the poorest at the worst possible moment.

“A decade of cuts and freezes to benefits have left many people in our society in increasingly desperate situations, struggling to afford food, energy and basic hygiene products. Without urgent action from the government, the stark reality is that the situation could get much worse. The government must, at a minimum, ensure that benefit rises match the real rise in living costs as an immediate first step to protect people from hardship. Beyond this, the government needs to further strengthen our social security system, which was already woefully inadequate even before the cost of essentials began to shoot up.”

How is the increasing cost of living affecting you?  Let us know in the comments section below.

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    Raya · 1 years ago
    I didn’t use the central heating in the winter as I couldn’t afford to - even with a good tariff.
    My tariff ran out end March..Now I can’t afford the electricity never mind heating.Snd that is Year round- not just winter.
    i find it annoying that the standing charge are so high.And that a single person household pays the same for that as a student house of 9 people.How can that be right ? 
    I wish there was a way the government would find to charge use per individual for the standing charges to make them fair across the board.
    I am keeping everything crossed that my ESA doesn’t change to UC in the next 3 years as I wouldn’t get the severe disability component.
    Having worked from age 14 to when ill l health took over- I didn’t expect to be totally broke in my later years.
    But I am grateful for the benefits I get.And to finally be living in a council flat.
    A lot of people are much worse off.
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    Lesley · 1 years ago
    I was forced out of a long-term career into having to claim benefits due to continuing ill health that the NHS unfortunately failed to correctly diagnose.  I have no control over inflation, or the cost of living crisis, or that I'm too chronically unwell to do any kind of work any more, which leaves me at the mercy of governmental decisions.  It's a very vulnerable position to be in.  The underpinning cruelty behind allowing benefit payments to suffer such a substantial real-terms cut abandons us to sink or swim.  It comes from the continuing false belief that people who aren't working are probably lazy or too choosy, and people who are ill or disabled probably don't try hard enough and have little value anyway, so why funnel more money in the direction of the undeserving.  Policy makers may talk the talk when it comes to debating these issues in public, but when it comes to making the decisions they don't walk the walk.
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    Mark · 1 years ago
    This government has treated working age benefit claimants with utter contempt for over a decade now. They have done so much damage and I can't see this changing. They will probably be relishing the cost of living crisis as it's another form of indirect torture for the poorest and most vulnerable in society. They will undoubtedly hope charities etc will try to plug the gap, like they have with food banks etc. It's not the responsibility of charities to provide a permanent safety net and unfortunately their good work is also setting a precedence for the government not to pay adequate benefit rates. 

    The headline inflation rate is around 7% but I don't believe the way it's calculated reflects true inflation at all. I suspect the true rate far exceeds this amount. Most things I purchase have shot up greater than 10% and now energy is 54% more expensive. Do the maths and you'll soon realise it's far greater than 7%!

    The government could outlaw profit to be made on supplying domestic energy and remove the VAT. This would be a good start and far more effective than a measly £150 rebate via Council Tax. If only Thatcher could see what a corrupt mess she created with the energy sector 🙄
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    Ray · 1 years ago
    I am 70 years old with health problems. I receive state pension, small private pension and PIP for Care after a tribunal judgement that gave me Full Care award after Nil award by DWP. I manage fairly well with money and have always been prudent. Yet now with the rising cost of everything including Energy and Food I am struggling to make ends meet. I cut back where I can especially on Food and Heating, but dread the forecast major second increase later in the year. That will mean No Heating for me and many like me, I pray we have mild winters to come. The government must help those on fixed incomes and low incomes who are forced into Poverty by world events.
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    Daniel · 1 years ago
    It isn't just the small increase in benefits in relation to prices that is making life so difficult, it is the lack of any increase in housing benefit to cover rent increases. I am already paying £200 every month from my living expenses money on rent. I dread to think what will happen when my tenancy agreement expires in a few months time.
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    Hypermobilecat · 1 years ago
    We live  day by day. Still on legacy benefits and Pip. Both highest daily living and me high mobility. I worry about been transferred to UC as I have worked it out,we will be £50 a week worse off.you used to be able to assessed for items you needed for your disability .now you get told use your pip.
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    Lynda · 1 years ago
    I am a 71 yr old pensioner. After a year of pressing DWP I was awarded PIP when it went to tribunal.  Since having it I have had to use it to pay full Council Tax and other bills so it hasn't helped with my disability problems I was so unwell my Son looked for a house near him and now I am paying even more in Council Tax. With the increase in energy I have chosen not to heat my home.  Octopus have been sending Estimated bills every two weeks despite looking at making my meters old meters as I have migraine with the noise form the two smart meters day and night which they claim aren't connected.  I chose to go to bed as soon as I eat with a hot water bottle.  I need my TV aerial connected as the box in my loft apparently is old and will not connect.  I have had numerous people out claiming to be local who turn out to be big companies.  They refuse to give an estimate and return when I decide I can afford it so charge me a fee they say is "not a call out Charge" and some of them list various option prices after I argue but not what I need to have a working TV I chose not to watch TV so didn't buy a licence either as the programmes are mostly rubbish anyway.  I keep being asked for a valid passport for identity.  Do these people understand the cost of a passport let alone the cost of a trip abroad? But it's fine the Government all have plenty of income hidden away so how would they understand  what it costs disabled and elderly to live?     
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    Mrs cummings · 1 years ago
    I have been waiting 3 years was adjoined and keep staying ready for lifting still nothing.
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    Sandy · 1 years ago
    I live with my husband who was my carer but he is now terminally ill.  He is receiving a state pension but I am not getting mine for another 6 years.  I am 10 years younger than him so I am 60.  Our electricity has gone up from £87 to £154 a month.  Because of the age difference its looking like we won't get pension credit. We applied once he was given his DS1500 but haven't heard from the DWP except when I called them and they said it was "with a manager" because of my age.  I am dreading when my hubby passes as at thar time I will be on my own, unable to work and without his money.  I really don't know how I am going to manage. I am currently on ESA in the support group and get PIP. I fear that the DWP will transfer me to UC and I will get even less than I do now! We live in a housing association flat that has been adapted for me and for which we get full housing benefit. However when I lose my husband I will be hit with the bedroom tax too.  To say I am worried is an underestimation.  I cannot make any more economies for our fuel cost as already cut everything down to the minimum.  I am very scared and anxious for my future.
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    Malcolm · 1 years ago
    I am a 67 year old carer for a friend who is completely deaf and has to wear a cochlear implant.  I have to sit outside the shower room whilst he is showering so I can help him if he should slip or fall.  I am now an unpaid carer as his PIP was reduced. He is also partially sighted in one eye.
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    Pete kennedy · 1 years ago
    Heat and eat . Can't do both. I ain't long for this world .   Wats the point in it all . We are scumbags  scroungers. And not worth helping
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    DENNIS · 1 years ago
    My electric meter takes around £3.50 per day now, that is for the running of a tv, a fridge, and some lighting. Were as before the rates went up, i was spending around £25 per month, tops. And its going up again. How the hell are we meant to cope with such a massive rise in energy costs? 
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    denby · 1 years ago
    Our daughter's partner has applied for a job he could walk to, simply to save the cost of travel. But it will be mind numbingly boring if he gets it, so I really fear for his mental health. She's not fit to work [CFS, FM etc]: if her benefits were increased adequately they would not be faced with this. So she feels guilty about him giving up a reasonably satisfying job.
    The government is putting untold pressure on disabled people and their relationships which is very unjust.
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    Cfergie · 1 years ago
    ☹I think everyone is struggling just now it’s real hard just to make ends meet at the moment it’s all surreal for most people I am actually considering the proses off going bankrupt as I can’t afford to pay back debts I endured during lockdown life is a complete struggle right now I am in receipt off Esa & pip at the highest rate considering handing back my car also so this too will be a struggle for me 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jules · 1 years ago
    I can't afford to live.
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