Carers receiving means tested benefits to get cost of living payments up to £1,350.
Carers and their families receiving eligible means tested benefits will begin to receive this year's set of cost of living payments, the Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed.
Included in the governments support of up to £1,350 will be extra payments for disabled people, who will receive a payment of £150 and for pensioners, who will receive a payment of £300 on top of Winter Fuel Payments.
The eligible benefits that qualify you for the cost of living payments are Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits. However, those receiving Carers allowance on its own do not qualify as it’s a non-means tested benefit. The additional payments, which are an increase of £150 compared to the £1200 paid last year, will be paid directly into bank accounts.
If you're eligible, there is nothing you need to do. The payments will be made automatically over the course of the financial year, starting this spring as follows:
- £301 – First Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2023
- £150 – Disability Payment – during Summer 2023
- £300 – Second Cost of Living Payment – during Autumn 2023
- £300 – Pensioner Payment – during Winter 2023/4
- £299 – Third Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2024
The Government’s Energy Price Guarantee which covers all UK households will also continue to cap energy costs, saving the average household around £900 this winter and a further £500 in 2023/24.
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