Over 8 million households across the UK will receive a £301 Cost of Living Payment from today. This is the first of three new payments totalling £900 in 2023/24, providing a financial boost to support the most vulnerable in society.
- Eight million eligible people in receipt of means-tested benefits will receive a Cost of Living Payment worth £301 from 25 April 2023 followed by two further payments worth £900 this year.
Leo Docherty MP has welcomed the Government's commitment to support the most vulnerable in times of financial hardship, with almost one in four families across the UK set to receive £301 as the first Cost of Living Payments is made, including to 10,300 here in the Aldershot constituency.
7,300 eligible individuals will also receive a Disability Cost of Living Payment on top, worth £150. Individuals will not need to apply, as payments will be made automatically.
This support comes on top of the Government extending the Household Support Fund Allocations for local authorities, with £14,248,255 of additional funding for Hampshire County Council (HCC) to help support families that are in need. This funding takes the total level of support provided to HCC for the Household Support Fund to £35,620,636.
The Household Support Fund is a discretionary fund provided to local authorities enabling them to provide support to vulnerable families struggling to cover essential costs who may not be eligible for other Government support schemes.
Commenting, Leo said:
"The Government are here to help people through these tough times, which is why energy bills are being held down, fuel duty has been frozen, Universal Credit and State Pension have been increased, and vulnerable families are to receive £900 payments to help with the cost of living.
"All this has been in part funded through windfall taxes on energy profits, to ensure that we help those most in need."