DWP issues response to reinstating £300 pensioner Cost of Living payments
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has responded to a query about reinstating £300 pensioner Cost of Living payments. The payments were introduced by the former Conservative Party government as part of a package of measures.
The package included Cost of Living Payments (known as 'additional payments' in the Social Security (Additional Payments) Bill 2023) of up to £900 for households on eligible means-tested benefits. A separate £300 payment was made to pensioner households and those in receipt of eligible disability benefits would receive a £150 payment.
In response to a query from Liberal Democrat MP Clive Jones, Labour Party pensions minister Sir Stephen Timms said: "The cost of living payments were intended to relieve the immediate financial pressures caused by the rapid rise in cost of living. There are no plans to reintroduce these payments".
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The means-tested benefit Cost of Living Payment of up to £900 was made in three payments, for families in receipt of one of certain benefits during the qualifying periods. This includes Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Pension Credit, reports BirminghamLive.
The Disability Cost of Living Payment was a £150 payment for individuals being paid one of certain disability benefits on the qualifying date. This includes Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Scottish Disability Benefits, Armed Forces Independence Payment, Constant Attendance Allowance and War Pension Mobility Supplement.
The Pensioner Cost of Living Payment of up to £300 was paid as an increase to Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024. There are three payments to recipients of means-tested benefit: one of £301 paid during spring 2023, one of £300 paid during autumn 2023 and one of £299 paid by spring 2024.
Each payment was paid by the DWP to families in receipt of DWP administered means tested benefits and by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for families in receipt of tax credits only.
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