Getting help with the cost of living
The illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine and surge in post-pandemic demand have contributed to global increases in the cost of living that we are all experiencing. A number of constituents have asked for help and advice on where to go for support, and for more information about the support available and so I've set out some details about some of the measures available and where you can seek extra help.
Make sure you’re getting the support you’re entitled to
- From October households should have begun to receive their £66 month discount on energy bills
- If a pensioner household, check you’ve received your annual Winter Fuel Payment and additional £300 Cost of Living payment. (Most payments are made automatically in November or December, if you’ve not been paid by 13 January 2023, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.)
- If you receive Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance, check you received an extra £150 last September
- For more information about the support you can get, check here
The Energy Price Guarantee
- To limit the impact of energy price rises, the Energy Price Guarantee has been extended to April 2024. The guarantee caps the unit price of your gas and electricity.
- But be aware, this cap applies to the unit price of energy, so the more energy you use the higher your bill will be
- If your home is not on standard gas or electricity contracts, eg. you’re living in a park home or on a heat network, you’ll receive equivalent support
- If you heat your home with off grid fuel like LPG or oil you’ll receive £200.
What support can you expect next year
- If you’re working - from April 1 2023 the National Living Wage will go up to £10.42 per hour
- If you’re a pensioner - the April State Pension increase will see a rise from £141.85 to £156.20per week, whilst the full rate new State Pension will rise from £185.15 per week to £203.85 per week
- Inflation linked benefits and tax credits will increase by 10.1% in line with September's CPI inflation figures
- For more information about the help you might be entitled to: this government page might help.
If you're a pensioner on a low income you could be £3000 better off
- If you’re of State Pension age and on a low income you could qualify for Pension Credit. Around 1.7 million pensioners who qualify are missing out, if you think that might be you - call 0800 99 1234 to check
- The average Pension Credit payment is worth more than £3000 a year and you might qualify even if you own your own home or have savings
- Pensioner households who receive the Winter Fuel Payment should also have received an extra £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
- Finally, those who receive Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance should have received an extra £150 this September, and can expect a further £150 payment next year
Additional support for those on means tested benefits
Every household on means-tested benefits should have received £650 in cost-of-living support.
Qualifying benefits include:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
For the year 2023/24, those who qualify will receive further payments totalling £900.
You can find more information about this support at the following: gov.uk/government/ publications/autumnstatement-2022-cost-ofliving-support-factsheet
Useful contacts
- Sheffield Citizens Advice 0808 278 7820
- Barnsley Citizens Advice 0800 144 8848
- Sheffield City Council Community Helpline 0114 273 4567
- Barnsley Council General Enquiries 01226 773 555
- Energy Saving Trust 0800 444202
- National Debt Line 0800 808 4000
- Age UK 0800 678 1602
- Benefits and grants checkers gov.uk/benefits-calculators .
- Government energy saving advice: 0800 444 202
