£150 Cost of Living payment to help disabled people with transport and prescription costs

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that around six million disabled people in the UK will receive their one-off £150 disability Cost of Living payment from 20 September 2022.

Those being paid a qualifying disability benefit will be paid automatically from 20 September 2022, with the vast majority of those eligible expected to receive their one-off payment within a couple of weeks by the beginning of October.

The payment intends to help disabled people with the rising cost of living, acknowledging the higher disability-related costs they often face, such as care and mobility needs.

For disabled people on low incomes, the payment will come on top of other Cost of Living payments totalling £650, £400 for all households to help with energy bills, and an extra £150 for properties in council tax bands A-D in England.

Over eight million eligible households in receipt of a means-tested benefit received the first of two automatic Cost of Living payments of £326 from 14 July. The second means-tested payment of £324 will be issued later this year.

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work 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.

“We know it’s a worrying time for some people and I’d urge them to check they are getting all the support on offer by searching Help for Households.”

The Cost of Living payments from the government are part of a £37 billion package of support, which will see millions of households receive at least £1,200 this year to help cover rising costs.

Those who receive the following disability benefits may be eligible for the one-off payment of £150 in September: Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, Scottish disability benefits (Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment), Armed Forces Independence Payment, Constant Attendance Allowance and War Pension Mobility Supplement.

Those who had confirmed payment of their disability benefit for 25 May can expect to be paid shortly after the payment window opens. For those awaiting confirmation of their disability benefits on 25 May, or who are waiting to be assessed for eligibility to receive disability benefits, the process may take longer but payments will still be automatic.

People must have received payment (or later receive a payment) of one of these qualifying benefits for 25 May 2022 to get the Cost of Living payment.

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi said: “We know that rising prices faced by many countries around the world are a significant worry for many people here in the UK, especially those most vulnerable to additional costs.

“Today’s announcement that disabled people will begin to receive an additional £150 payment from the end of September reinforces our commitment to help UK households through the challenging times ahead.

“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.”

Following Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak’s recent delivery of the Spring Statement 2022, leaders from across the assistive technology, disability, and health and social care sectors responded, The general consensus that the statement does not go far enough to protect the health of thousands of vulnerable people in the UK.