One-off payments from the government
Energy bills support scheme
The government is giving every household £400 off their electricity bill. You don’t need to do anything to get the money and you won’t have to pay it back. The £400 will be automatically added to your energy account over six months starting from October 2022.
Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS Alternative Funding)
The government has announced details for people without a direct relationship to a domestic energy supplier, including many care home residents and those living in park homes. These groups will receive a £400 discount on their fuel bills.
Payment for households that use alternative fuels
The government has announced details of a single payment of £200 for households that use alternative fuels like heating oil.
We are awaiting further information on both of these schemes and will update this page as soon as we know more.
Cost of living payments
If you are on low income benefits and tax credits, you could get up to £650 paid in two lump sums if you receive any of the following:
- universal credit
- income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- income-related employment and support allowance
- Income support
- working tax credit
- child tax credit
- pension credit
You must have been getting one of these benefits, or have begun a successful claim, as of Wednesday 25 May 2022. The first instalment should be paid by the end of July. The second instalment will be made in the autumn. Payments will be made automatically in the same way you receive your benefits.
See Cost of Living Payment (GOV.UK)
Disability cost of living payment
You may get a lump sum for £150 if you receive any of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
See Disability cost of living payment (GOV.UK)
Pensioner cost of living payment
If you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023, you will get an extra £300 for your household paid with your normal payment from November 2022. This is in addition to any Cost of Living Payment you get with your benefit or tax credits.
See Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
Cost of living support
The government has launched a new website signposting all the help that you may be eligible for.
See Help for households (GOV.UK)