We now have specialist Cost of Living advisers
Our specialist Cost of Living advisers are available to assist with issues such as benefits, budgeting, and energy advice.
Email, or phone the Helpline on 0808 808 1111, to arrange an appointment or to ask for more information.
Who will get cost of living payments?
Some people will get cost of living payments from
the government
The Government are the people who run the country. The Government decide how much tax people should pay and how things like the National Health Service (NHS) should work.
. These payments will help with things like food, energy at home and fuel.
You will receive these payments if you receive some benefits or
tax
Tax is the money that pays for things like schools, hospitals and the police. There are different types of taxes like
income tax
Income tax is the money that is taken out of the money you earn every month. It helps to pay for things we all need like hospitals and schools.
,
VAT
VAT is also called Value Added Tax. VAT is the extra money you pay when you buy things. The money goes to the government to pay for things like schools and hospitals.
and
council tax
Council
A council is also called a
local authority
A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools,
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
(support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
Tax is the money that people pay to the
council
A council is also called a
local authority
A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools,
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
(support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. It helps to pay for things like social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
.
credits. You do not need to apply, the money will be paid to you automatically.
You won’t pay tax on these payments. They should not affect your benefits.
If you do not receive a means tested benefit
If you do not receive a means tested benefit, but do receive tax credits, you may also receive a payment.
Ask the Mencap Helpline for more information.
FAQ
Can my council take any of this money into account for social care charges?
No.
Many people with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
who get social care support from their council have to pay money in charges towards their care.
The government has said that people get to keep all of the cost of living payments and councils cannot take the payments into account for social care charges. The government has put this into
law
Laws are the rules that everyone in the country has to follow. If you don't follow the rules you can get in trouble with the police.
with new regulations, The Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2022.
Extra cost of living payments
The government announced that they would make pay more cost of living payments to people who receive certain types of benefits in 2023 and 2024.
What does this mean?
- People who received certain types of means tested benefits received up to £900. This was made in more than one payment. The last 2023/24 cost of living payment (£299) will be paid automatically between 6th and 22nd February 2024.
- People who receive certain types of benefits to cover the extra cost of disability received £150 between 20 June 2023 and 4 July 2023.