Harlow’s Member of Parliament, Robert Halfon, has welcomed a £300 cost of living payment for 12,700 households across the town. This is the second of three payments this year, offering a total of £900 to families in receipt of some means-tested benefits, as part of the Conservative Government’s record £94 billion cost of living support package.
Eight million households across the UK in receipt of eligible means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or tax credits, will benefit from the second of three Cost of Living payments totalling £900 in 2023-24. These payments help low-income and vulnerable families affected by rising prices driven by Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This £300 payment will be made automatically so there is no need to apply and it will not count towards the benefit cap or impact on existing benefit awards. Further support will also be made available for vulnerable households later this winter. Winter Fuel Payments have been boosted again this year with an additional £300 Pensioner Cost of Living payment.
An additional three million low-income households are eligible for a £150 rebate on their winter electricity bills through the Warm Home Discount, and the Cold Weather Payment is coming into effect from 1 November 2023 to provide eligible households an extra £25 a week when the temperature drops below zero degrees for more than seven days.
Commenting, Mr Halfon said: “Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine, the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing supply issues have forced the prices of everyday essentials up across the globe. I welcome the work of this Government to protect every household across the country from these price rises, with additional support for the most vulnerable families in our communities.
“The record financial support has already supported thousands of families across Harlow, and this latest £300 Cost of Living payment for 12,700 eligible households will make a huge difference to the most vulnerable and those on the lowest incomes as we move into the colder months.”
Commenting, Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “Tackling inflation is the best way to boost people’s incomes, but as we work to halve it, we are protecting the most vulnerable households from high prices with this latest Cost of Living payment.
“Thousands of Work Coaches based in Jobcentres across the country are on hand to help people find work or enhance their skills, and I encourage anyone wanting to strengthen their finances and unleash the benefits of work to contact their local Jobcentre to see what help is available.”
