New summer cost of living payments for Universal Credit and benefits claimants

The Department for Work and Pensions has published details of who will be eligible for a new round of financial support this summer. While direct cost of living payments from the DWP have ended, thousands of people may be eligible for extra money between now and the end of September from the six-month extension of the Household Support Fund.

The amounts that are offered depend on how each local authority decides to use its allocation. This includes payments of £200 of the £12.8 million awarded to Birmingham City Council, with the money to be distributed through Birmingham Voluntary Service Council to help with food and energy bills.

The DWP says it provides data and information to authorities to help them identify those in need in their area. These include applications for universal credit with limited capacity for work or earnings below the free school meals and free prescription thresholds.

It also includes recipients of the Guarantee Credit and/or Savings Credit elements of Pension Credit, those on Employment Allowance and Income Support (ESA) and people on Housing Benefit only.

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However, the DWP says support is not just limited to vulnerable households receiving benefits. It requires local authorities to use other sources of information to identify people who are eligible for extra help, including advice or referrals from professionals such as social workers, key early help and family support workers, health visitors and housing support officers.

The Department emphasizes that the Household Support Fund is intended to cover a wide range of low-income households in difficulty, including families with children of all ages, pensioners, unpaid carers, care leavers and people with disabilities, larger families, single-person households, and those struggling with “one-off financial shocks or unforeseen events”.

It urges local authorities to consider the needs of disabled people who may face challenges in managing their conditions, remaining independent and avoiding social isolation. Some face high gas and electric bills because of the energy needed to power the equipment they need for their medical problems. Others have higher water or transportation costs.

Authorities are “strongly encouraged” to explore ways in which this group can be supported and are required to record the total value of financial awards given to disabled people so the DWP can see how the money has been spent.

It adds that care leavers and carers should also be taken into account when deciding who gets help from the new round of support. The DWP explained: “Care leavers can face certain barriers as they leave the care system and start living independently. support systems that enable them to live independently, respond to crisis or avoid becoming socially isolated.

“Authorities should also consider supporting people with caring responsibilities in their area. They may have additional costs for heating, water or transport”.

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