Nusrat Ghani, MP for Wealden, has welcomed the arrival of the second Cost of Living payment worth £300 for 8,100 vulnerable and low-income households in Wealden from 31 October 2023, as part of the Government’s record £94 billion cost of living support package.
Eight million households across the UK in receipt of eligible means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or tax credits, will benefit from the second of three Cost of Living payments totalling £900 in 2023-24. This latest payment builds on the Cost of Living payments made last year worth up to £1,200, and form part of the Conservative Government’s record financial support for the most vulnerable, worth an average of £3,300 per household.
The payment will be made automatically so there is no need to apply and it will not count towards the benefit cap or impact on existing benefit awards.
Further support will also be made available for vulnerable households later this winter. Winter Fuel Payments have been boosted again this year with an additional £300 Pensioner Cost of Living payment.
In addition, nearly three million low-income households are eligible for a £150 rebate on their winter electricity bills through the Warm Home Discount, and the Cold Weather Payment is coming into effect from 1 November 2023 to provide eligible households an extra £25 a week when the temperature drops below zero degrees for more than seven days.
Nusrat Ghani said: “The record levels of financial support over the past year and a half have already supported local families and this latest Cost of Living Payment will make a huge difference to the 8,100 vulnerable and low-income households in Wealden. The Government is committed to continue supporting households across the country and alongside this support, thousands of Work Coaches based in Jobcentres across the country are helping people across the UK find work, increase their hours and boost their skills."
