Thousands of households across Northern Ireland are set to benefit from a new £15 billion UK-wide package of targeted government support to help with the rising cost of living, the Chancellor announced today (26 May).
The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said:
”We know that people are facing challenges with the cost of living and that is why today I’m stepping in with further support to help with rising energy bills.
“We have a collective responsibility to help those who are paying the highest price for the high inflation we face. That is why I’m targeting this significant support to millions of the most vulnerable people in our society. I said we would stand by people and that is what this support does today.
“It is also right that those companies making extraordinary profits on the back of record global oil and gas prices contribute towards this. That is why I’m introducing a temporary Energy Profits Levy to help pay for this unprecedented support in a way that promotes investment.”
This £15.3 billion targeted package provides:
• A direct one-off cost of living payment of £650 for households on means-tested benefits (Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Pension Credit)
DWP will make the payment in two lump sums directly into claimants bank accounts – the first from July, the second in the autumn. Payments from HMRC for those on tax credits only will follow shortly afterwards.
• A pensioner cost of living payment of £300 for pensioner households
This will be paid in November/December alongside the Winter Fuel Payment.
• A £150 disability cost of living payment to individuals in receipt of extra cost disability benefits
This will be paid by September.
• Energy Bills Support Scheme doubled to a one-off £400
All households will get £400 of support with their energy bills through an expansion of the Energy Bills Support Scheme.
The Energy Bills Support Scheme payment will be delivered received by households in England, Scotland and Wales, but the government says it “will deliver equivalent support to people in Northern Ireland”, though there are no further details on this yet.
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