PIP and DLA claimants to get £150 Disability Cost of Living payment from DWP | Personal Finance | Finance
The Government announced in August that people who claim benefits such as the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA), would receive the payment from Tuesday September 20. The vast majority of those eligible are expected to receive their one-off payment by the start of October. The Government stated the payment aimed to help those with disabilities with the rising cost of living.
In its announcement, the Government “acknowledged” the higher “disability-related costs” disabled Britons often face for care and mobility needs
Britons who receive Attendance Allowance, the Scottish disability benefits such as adult/child disability payment, Armed Forces Independence payment, or the war pension mobility supplement will be eligible for the financial support.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) stated the payment would be paid automatically to those who claim into the account that their other benefits are paid into.
To be eligible for the one-off sum, people must have received a payment, or later receive a payment, of one of the qualifying benefits for May 25, 2022.
READ MORE: ‘At the end of our tether’ Mum fights with DWP over PIP claims
Those who had a confirmed payment of their disability benefit for May 25, 2022 are expected to be paid shortly after the payment window opens.
The DWP has warned that it may take a little longer for those who were waiting for confirmation of their disability benefits on May 25, or who were waiting to be assessed for eligibility.
The Government department stated that those in this group could be paid later in October.
At the time of the announcement, minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Chloe Smith said: “We know disabled people can face additional costs, which is why we are acting to help reduce the financial pressures on the most vulnerable.
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“This £150 disability payment is on top of the £1,200 most low-income benefit claimants will also receive and alongside wider support targeted at disabled people, including help with transport and prescription costs.
“We know it’s a worrying time for some people and I’d urge them to check they are getting all the support on offer by searching Help for Households.”
The payment is paid per claim, meaning that if two people in a home are applying for the benefit payment, they will each receive separate payments of £150.
Disability campaigners have warned that more support is needed to help people pay their energy bills or more lives could be lost this winter due to fuel poverty.
READ MORE: ‘At the end of our tether’ Mum fights with DWP over PIP claims
The charity Disability Rights UK stated that the amount was “simply nowhere near enough” in the face of the huge rise in fuel bills and inflation.
The £150 one-off payment was previously announced by the former Chancellor Rishi Sunak in May as part of his cost of living package worth around £37billion.
More than eight million households, who are in receipt of means-tested benefits received the first of two automatic cost-of-living payments of £326 from July 14.
The second payment of £324 will be issued later this year, the exact date has yet to be announced.
Alongside this, every single household in Britons is to also receive £400 off their energy bills from October.
Administered by the energy suppliers, households will see a discount of £66 applied to their energy bills in October and November.
This will rise to £67 each month from December through to March 2023.
The Government confirmed earlier this year that the non-repayable discount will be provided on a monthly basis regardless of whether consumers pay monthly, quarterly or have an associated payment card.
Over eight million pensioners will also receive a one-off payment of £300 which is to be paid alongside the Winter Fuel Payment.
