The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has introduced a fresh round of summer cost-of-living payments to support households grappling with financial strain.
These payments will be distributed via the extended Household Support Fund, offering essential financial assistance to thousands of families and individuals across the UK.
Target Groups for the Payments
The primary recipients of this initiative are vulnerable groups, including low-income families, pensioners, individuals with disabilities, and care leavers.
The DWP’s goal is to alleviate some of the financial pressures these groups are facing, according to a report by Cambridge News.
Payment Distribution through Local Authorities
The program gives local authorities the flexibility to distribute funds based on their communities’ needs, making it possible to address diverse financial challenges.
The Household Support Fund has been extended through the summer, running until September, to provide continued relief amidst the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
New UK Cost of Living Eligibility Criteria
The DWP has outlined clear eligibility criteria to ensure that those who are most in need benefit from these payments.
The following categories of individuals are eligible:
- Individuals with limited work capability
- Those with earnings below the thresholds for free school meals and prescriptions
- Recipients of the Guarantee Credit component
- Those receiving the Savings Credit component
- Individuals claiming income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Individuals receiving only Housing Benefits, with no other forms of income support
How Much Is the Payment Amount?
Although the DWP provides general guidelines for the Household Support Fund, local authorities are given the discretion to determine how to allocate the funds.
This flexibility ensures that the support can be tailored to meet the specific needs of each community. Local authorities will:
- Decide how to best utilize their allocated funds for maximum impact
- Leverage data and guidance from the DWP to identify eligible individuals and families, using input from professionals like social workers, health visitors, and housing support officers
Who Will Receive This Benefit?
The Household Support Fund is designed to assist individuals facing financial difficulties.
It aims to support a wide range of low-income individuals, beyond those receiving traditional benefits.
Eligible groups include families with children of all ages who require help accessing essential items like food and clothing.
The fund will also aid older individuals with fixed incomes in managing their living expenses, as well as unpaid carers who provide support to family members without receiving compensation.
Special focus is placed on care leavers, who face unique challenges while living independently.
Furthermore, disabled individuals with high medical equipment expenses or increased costs for water and transport are encouraged to apply.
The fund is available to both single-person households and larger families experiencing financial hardship.
