Households all across the country may be eligible for extra financial support from the government in the run-up to Christmas.
This is despite the fact that newly-appointed Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced some major U-turns on the Prime Minister's economic policies. While some schemes are now being reversed or cut short - such as the energy price guarantee - many will still be eligible for extra help during the winter period.
It means that people will still be able to get extra help to pay for energy bills and tackle the soaring cost of living crisis during an especially vulnerable period. While not everyone will be eligible for all the cost of living payments coming through before Christmas, it's always important to double-check and avoid missing out, Hull Live reports.
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We've broken down five cost of living payments that you can still receive before Christmas.
Second cost of living payment
Millions of households should expect to see the second half of the £650 cost of living payment this November. £324 will be automatically paid to eligible peoples' bank accounts between November 8 and 23.
However, if you receive Tax Credits from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), then you will be paid after November 23. The people receiving the following benefits are eligible for the second payment:
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
Pensioner cost of living payment
Those who receive the winter fuel payment will be able to apply for a Pensioner Cost of Living Payment which will be rolled out in November and is worth £300.
You can generally receive the payment automatically if you are born on or before September 25, 1956, living in the UK for at least one between September 19 to 25 - known as the qualifying week.
Warm Home Discount
A discount to energy bills worth £150 will be rolled out between Dember to March 2023. Those who have received any of the following benefits up to August of this year will automatically be eligible for the discount:
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker's allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Housing benefit
- Universal Credit
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credits
- Pension credit guaranteed
- Pension credit savings credit
Households support fund
Local councils are providing support for struggling households by dishing out money to help famillies pay for bills and essentials. Depending on your unique circumstances, you could receive up to £150.
In order to receive the support fund, you generall need to be a recipient of council tax support - for more information you can check the GOV.UK website and contact your local council through there.
Cold weather payment
As temperatures begin to dip, low-income households can receive a £25. This is an automatic payment and will be determined by each seven-day period of low temperatures between November and March 2023.
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