The Government Cost of Living Payment scheme has now ended.
The cost of living has increased across the board, food prices, fuel prices and energy prices are climbing. To help alleviate this the UK Government have agreed to provide some financial assistance to households across the UK. While some support provided last winter has finished, some schemes are still ongoing.
In this guide, we discuss the different payments that will be awarded. If you’re eligible you will receive these payments automatically, you will not need to apply. Please be wary of any potential scams asking for your details to apply.
Low income benefits and tax credits payment
The low-income benefits award is a payment to help those on means-tested benefits. You may be entitled to up to 3 of these payments valued at £301, £300 and £299.
You must be in receipt of one of the following benefits to be eligible:
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
If you’re entitled, you will get:
- £301 paid between 25 April 2023 and 17 May 2023
- £300 paid between 31st October 2023 and 19th November
- £299 paid during spring 2024 for most people
Disability payment
The Disability Benefit Award is a payment to help those in receipt of non-means tested disability benefits. If you qualify for this award, you will receive a payment of £150. This will be in addition to the Low-Income Benefits Award if you also receive one of those benefits.
Eligible benefits include:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
You must have been in receipt of one of these benefits on 1st April 2023 to be eligible
The £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment will be paid automatically between 20 June 2023 and 4 July 2023.
Winter Fuel Payment Supplement
If you are entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment for 2022-2023 you will receive an extra £300 in addition to your normal payment. This will be in addition to the Low-Income Benefits Award, or the Disability Benefits Award if you are also eligible.
The total Winter fuel payment you receive will depend upon when you were born and your circumstances on qualifying dates.
This payment will be made as a lump sum when you would normally expect to receive it in the winter of 2023.
Benefit checks
If you have not had your benefits checked within the past 12 months we recommend speaking to Citizens Advice & Rights Fife to ensure you’re claiming everything you’re entitled to.
You can find out more on their website.
You can also use the new Fife benefit checker.
More support
Do you need more support managing your energy bills? Cosy Kingdom is a free and impartial energy advice service available to anyone living within Fife.
Our energy advisors can be contacted by:
Calling 01592 807930
Texting COSY then YOUR NAME to 88440
Emailing info@cosykingdom.org.uk
Through our website
Or on our Facebook and Twitter social media pages