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When are the £400 energy rebate and other cost-of-living payments due? When are the £400 energy rebate and other cost-of-living payments due?
(25 days later)
All UK households will be given a £400 discount on their energy bills after the annual cost for a typical household rose to £2,500 from October.All UK households will be given a £400 discount on their energy bills after the annual cost for a typical household rose to £2,500 from October.
Why you should take a meter readingWhy you should take a meter reading
How will the £400 energy discount be paid?How will the £400 energy discount be paid?
Everyone's energy bill will be cut by £400. This will be applied over six months, with a reduction of £66 in October and November, and £67 every month between December and March 2023. Some customers may receive the money directly into their bank account.Everyone's energy bill will be cut by £400. This will be applied over six months, with a reduction of £66 in October and November, and £67 every month between December and March 2023. Some customers may receive the money directly into their bank account.
The discount will be made automatically by energy suppliers in England, Scotland and Wales. There is no need to apply or to give an extra information.The discount will be made automatically by energy suppliers in England, Scotland and Wales. There is no need to apply or to give an extra information.
Customers have been warned to ignore scam emails and texts asking for personal information in order to receive the discount.Customers have been warned to ignore scam emails and texts asking for personal information in order to receive the discount.
The messages invite people to apply for the £400 discount and then instructs the recipient to follow a link to a fake website of energy regulator Ofgem. The scam encourages people to hand over personal details and set up a direct debit.The messages invite people to apply for the £400 discount and then instructs the recipient to follow a link to a fake website of energy regulator Ofgem. The scam encourages people to hand over personal details and set up a direct debit.
Ofgem said it was "alarming that vulnerable customers are being preyed upon" and if consumers were in any doubt they should contact their energy provider, using details on their official website.Ofgem said it was "alarming that vulnerable customers are being preyed upon" and if consumers were in any doubt they should contact their energy provider, using details on their official website.
In fact, direct debit and credit customers will have the money added to their account or automatically to their bank account. Customers with pre-payment meters will have the amount applied to their meter, or receive a voucher.In fact, direct debit and credit customers will have the money added to their account or automatically to their bank account. Customers with pre-payment meters will have the amount applied to their meter, or receive a voucher.
Separate arrangements are being made for households in Northern Ireland, which has its own energy market.Separate arrangements are being made for households in Northern Ireland, which has its own energy market.
Anyone who doesn't use mains gas and electricity - such as those using heating oil - will receive an extra £100 on top of the £400.Anyone who doesn't use mains gas and electricity - such as those using heating oil - will receive an extra £100 on top of the £400.
Who is getting other cost-of-living payments?Who is getting other cost-of-living payments?
Two payments totalling £650 are also being made to more than eight million low-income households who receive the following benefits:Two payments totalling £650 are also being made to more than eight million low-income households who receive the following benefits:
Universal CreditUniversal Credit
income-based Jobseekers Allowanceincome-based Jobseekers Allowance
income-related Employment and Support Allowanceincome-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income SupportIncome Support
working tax creditworking tax credit
child tax creditchild tax credit
pension creditpension credit
The first instalment of £326 was paid to about seven million of these people between 14 and 31 July. The payments were made automatically into bank accounts - usually marked "DWP Cost of Living".The first instalment of £326 was paid to about seven million of these people between 14 and 31 July. The payments were made automatically into bank accounts - usually marked "DWP Cost of Living".
The 1.1 million people who only receive tax credits, rather than any of the other benefits, had to wait longer.The 1.1 million people who only receive tax credits, rather than any of the other benefits, had to wait longer.
Their first payment was also automatic, and was paid straight into bank accounts by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) between 2 and 7 September. This was identified by the letters CL and their National Insurance number.Their first payment was also automatic, and was paid straight into bank accounts by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) between 2 and 7 September. This was identified by the letters CL and their National Insurance number.
The second instalment of £324 will be paid between 8 and 23 November although those who qualify through tax credits will receive it a little later.The second instalment of £324 will be paid between 8 and 23 November although those who qualify through tax credits will receive it a little later.
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Worried about energy bills? The BBC's Colletta Smith tells you - in a minute - about four discounts and payments that could helpWorried about energy bills? The BBC's Colletta Smith tells you - in a minute - about four discounts and payments that could help
Worried about energy bills? The BBC's Colletta Smith tells you - in a minute - about four discounts and payments that could helpWorried about energy bills? The BBC's Colletta Smith tells you - in a minute - about four discounts and payments that could help
People are not eligible for these payments if they receive New Style Employment and Support Allowance, contributory Employment and Support Allowance, or New Style Jobseeker's Allowance - unless they get Universal Credit.People are not eligible for these payments if they receive New Style Employment and Support Allowance, contributory Employment and Support Allowance, or New Style Jobseeker's Allowance - unless they get Universal Credit.
Anyone who thinks they are entitled to the help but who haven't received it should contact the office that pays their benefit or tax credits.Anyone who thinks they are entitled to the help but who haven't received it should contact the office that pays their benefit or tax credits.
Those who could miss out include the 850,000 pensioner households which the government says do not claim Pension Credit, which is a gateway to these extra payments.Those who could miss out include the 850,000 pensioner households which the government says do not claim Pension Credit, which is a gateway to these extra payments.
Other eligibility details are outlined here for people in England, Wales and Scotland, and here for people in Northern Ireland.Other eligibility details are outlined here for people in England, Wales and Scotland, and here for people in Northern Ireland.
None of these cost-of-living payments affect the tax you pay, or the benefits or tax credits you receive.None of these cost-of-living payments affect the tax you pay, or the benefits or tax credits you receive.
What help are disabled people getting?What help are disabled people getting?
Up to six million people on the following disability benefits started to receive £150 on 20 September and nearly all should have the money by now: Up to six million people on the following disability benefits started to receive £150 on 20 September and all should have the money by now:
Disability Living AllowanceDisability Living Allowance
Personal Independence PaymentPersonal Independence Payment
Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance
Scottish Disability PaymentsScottish Disability Payments
Armed Forces Independence PaymentArmed Forces Independence Payment
Constant Attendance AllowanceConstant Attendance Allowance
War Pension Mobility SupplementWar Pension Mobility Supplement
Disabled need more help, charities tell Tory rivalsDisabled need more help, charities tell Tory rivals
What extra help will pensioners get?What extra help will pensioners get?
Households that receive the Winter Fuel Payment - which is worth £200-£300 and is paid to nearly all homes with at least one person of pension age - will receive an extra £300 in November or December.Households that receive the Winter Fuel Payment - which is worth £200-£300 and is paid to nearly all homes with at least one person of pension age - will receive an extra £300 in November or December.
That should cover nearly all pensioners across the UK.That should cover nearly all pensioners across the UK.
Lower-income pensioners who claim pension credit, will receive the money in addition to the £650 support for those on benefits.Lower-income pensioners who claim pension credit, will receive the money in addition to the £650 support for those on benefits.
This means a small group of pensioners with disabilities will receive a total of £1,500.This means a small group of pensioners with disabilities will receive a total of £1,500.
What other payments have been made?What other payments have been made?
About 80% of households should have received a £150 energy rebate, often through their council tax bill.About 80% of households should have received a £150 energy rebate, often through their council tax bill.
The payment method depended on whether you pay your council tax by direct debit and where you live in the UK.The payment method depended on whether you pay your council tax by direct debit and where you live in the UK.
Some people were given fuel vouchers through the Household Support Fund which is distributed by local councils.Some people were given fuel vouchers through the Household Support Fund which is distributed by local councils.
What else is the government doing to tackle energy prices?What else is the government doing to tackle energy prices?
The government has announced a two-year energy price guarantee, limiting a typical duel-fuel household's annual energy bill to £2,500. The government has announced an energy price guarantee, limiting a typical duel-fuel household's annual energy bill to £2,500. It was initially designed to last for two years, but that has since been reduced to six months, ending in April.
This is not a cap on how much you will actually pay - your bill depends on how much energy you actually use.This is not a cap on how much you will actually pay - your bill depends on how much energy you actually use.
The plan applies to all households in England, Scotland and Wales, with the "same level of support" available in Northern Ireland.The plan applies to all households in England, Scotland and Wales, with the "same level of support" available in Northern Ireland.
The government has also announced a support package to cut energy bills for businesses, for six months from the start of October.The government has also announced a support package to cut energy bills for businesses, for six months from the start of October.
What help are households and businesses getting with their energy bills?What help are households and businesses getting with their energy bills?
How is the extra support being funded?How is the extra support being funded?
The £400 discount and payments for pensioners and people on certain benefits are being funded through a windfall tax on energy companies.The £400 discount and payments for pensioners and people on certain benefits are being funded through a windfall tax on energy companies.
The government said its energy support for households and businesses will cost £60bn for the six months. That is much less than some industry analysts predicted. And because the help will last for two years, the actual cost will be higher.The government said its energy support for households and businesses will cost £60bn for the six months. That is much less than some industry analysts predicted. And because the help will last for two years, the actual cost will be higher.
It will be paid for through increased government borrowing. The cost of this has increased sharply since its mini-budget plunged financial markets into chaos.It will be paid for through increased government borrowing. The cost of this has increased sharply since its mini-budget plunged financial markets into chaos.
The final bill will also depend on the price energy companies have to pay producers in the coming months.The final bill will also depend on the price energy companies have to pay producers in the coming months.
How is the rising cost of living affecting you? Please get in touch by emailing: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.How is the rising cost of living affecting you? Please get in touch by emailing: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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