Millions of households who receive benefits including universal credit, working tax credit, child tax credit and pension credit to receive £300 cost of living payment to help with winter bills
MILLIONS of people are to be given a one-off £300 cash boost from the government to help with the cost of living ahead of the winter.
The money will be paid directly into the bank accounts of households claiming certain benefits including universal credit, income-based jobseekers allowance, income support, working tax credit, child tax credit and pension credit.
Eligible claimants should receive their £300 – that won’t need to be paid back – between October 31st and November 19th.
For those claiming HMRC tax credits, their money will arrive just a little later, between November 10th and 19th.
The money is the second cost of living payment to have been issued this year, with a further lump sum expected to be sent out to struggling families in the spring.
Secretary of state for work and pensions, Mel Stride, said: “Tackling inflation is the best way to boost people’s incomes, but as we work to halve it, we are protecting the most vulnerable households from high prices with this latest cost of living payment.”
Other measures planned to help struggling homes afford basic essentials include winter fuel payments for pensioners, which will also be boosted with an additional £300 per household pensioner cost of living payment.
On top of this, nearly three million low-income households will also be eligible for a £150 rebate on winter electricity bills through the warm home discount.
Cold Weather Payments will also come into effect to provide eligible households £25 extra a week when the temperature is zero or below for more than seven days across the UK.
Ministers have also taken the decision to extend the £2 bus fare cap to help people get to work, reach family and attend medical appointments for less.
Transport secretary Mark Harper added: “Buses are the most popular form of public transport and help people across the country get to work, attend medical appointments, and see loved ones – that’s why we are extending the scheme all the way to 31st December 2024.”
