Exact date millions of disability benefit claimants will get £150 cost of living cash payment revealed
MILLIONS of disability benefit claimants will get their £150 cost of living payments from September 20, ministers announced today.
The one-off cash sum will be dropped directly into people's bank accounts to help cushion rampant inflation and soaring bills.
While the money will start landing from September 20, most people will get their cash in the first two weeks of October.
It comes on top of a wider multi-billion cost of living package unveiled by Rishi Sunak in May when he was Chancellor.
Liz Truss has confirmed she will not cancel any of the payments if she wins the keys to No10 despite railing against "handouts".
Six million people are eligible for the £150 payment because they claim certain disability related benefits.
READ MORE ON MONEY
Claimants must have qualified for one of these payments before May 25 to get the £150 lump.
Minister for Disabled People 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.
"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."
Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi added: "This payment is in addition to further help households can expect over the coming months – including a second cost of living payment of £324 for households on means-tested benefits, £300 for pensioners this winter and £400 discount on energy bills for every household.
"This is all part of our significant £37 billion support package."
Who is eligible for the £150 payment?
Millions of people on disability benefits are eligible for the one-off payment.
You can get the cash if you claim one of the following:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
Claimants must have received, or begun an eventually successful claim for one of these benefits, as of May 25 this year to be eligible for the £150 payment.
The money is on top of the £650 payment you can get if you're on certain means-test benefits including Universal Credit.
How do I claim the money?
You shouldn't have to do anything to get the money if you are eligible for it.
The cash should be paid directly into the account where you receive your benefits payments,
The money is also exempt from tax and won't count towards the benefit cap or impact existing benefit awards.
The money is expected to start arriving from September, but it may take a few weeks before all the payments are made.
The Government said the majority of people will receive their money within a couple of weeks, and by the beginning of October.
It's a good idea to keep an eye on your bank statements around this time to check it arrives.
If you're still awaiting confirmation of your disability benefits from a claim that was put in by May 25, your payment may take longer to arrive.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More on The Sun
From October, households will also start to receive discounts on their energy bills.
A discount of £400 will be applied to bills in six instalments - although some energy providers are giving the money as cash instead of a bill reduction.