Cost of living

Cost of Living
The cost of living has increased due to a rise in inflation where the costs of everyday goods such as gas, electric and food is rising faster than wages and benefits.

We are here to support you through this difficult time so please contact the Financial Inclusion Team for a benefit check or help to apply for any of the support below.

Cost of Living Payment 2023 - 2024
You are eligible for the first Cost of Living Payment of £301 if you were entitled to a payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) of any of these benefits for any day in the period 26 January 2023 to 25 February 2023. Paid automatically into the same account as your benefit payments.

You must be in receipt of the following benefits:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
  • Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Universal Credit (UC)
  • Pension Credit
  • Tax Credits

Disability Cost of Living Payment
You could also receive an additional £150 if you received one of the disability benefits listed and must have received a payment (or later received a payment) of one of these benefits for 1 April 2023

You must be in receipt of the following benefits: 

  • Attendance Allowance
  • Constant Attendance Allowance
  • Disability Living Allowance for adults or children
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • War Pension Mobility Supplement

Winter Fuel Payment
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before 25 September 1957. You will be sent a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you'll get if you're eligible.

Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
A full amount of Winter Fuel Payment (including the pensioner Cost of Living Payment) you will get for winter 2023 to 2024 depends on when you were born and your circumstances during the qualifying dates.

  • If you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024, you will get an extra £150 or £300 paid with your normal payment from November 2023.

This guidance will be updated with the qualifying dates for the payment when they are published.

Energy Price Guarantee
The Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) capped the unit price consumption to £3,000 for 'typical' household usage. As energy prices fell for the period between July-September 2023 price cap to £2,074 takes it below EPG levels so the EPG will no longer set maximum prices. The EPG remains in place until March 2024 at a level of £3,000.

Fuel Bank Voucher
The Fuel Bank can issue vouchers to help with fuel costs paid via a pre-payment meter. If you are struggling financially there may be help available to you, please contact the Financial Inclusion team.

Cold Weather Payment
The Cold Weather Payment is £25 a week for each 7 day period of cold weather. This only applies between 1st November to 31st March each year and is paid automatically into the same account as your benefit payments.

You must be in receipt of the following benefits:

  • Pension Credit
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Universal Credit

Warm Home Discount Scheme
You could be eligible to £150 off your electricity. It is usually paid to the account holders who have a low income. The money is a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October 2023 and March 2023.

Please contact your supplier to find out if you are eligible.

Discretionary Assistance Fund
For emergency payments to help with energy or food. Self refer by calling 0800 859 5924 (9.30am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday)

Individual Assistance Payment (IAP)
You can only apply for household white goods and furniture. If you meet the criteria below and can provide evidence of your income, please get in touch with the financial inclusion team or any other support agency you're engaging with for support to apply. 

You must:

  • live in Wales
  • be over 16
  • have no access to other money and tried all other affordable sources of funding for example credit union
  • not be living in a care home (unless being discharged in 6 weeks)
  • not be in prison (unless being discharged in 6 weeks)
  • not be a member of a fully maintained religious order

You must be getting one of the following:

  • Income Support
  • Income based Jobseekers Allowance
  • Income related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Guaranteed Credit element of Pension Credit
  • Universal Credit

 

Our Financial Inclusion team offer a telephone based service should you have any queries. Home visits are also available upon request if you are unable to use the telephone due to having health or communication needs. 

To make an appointment
If you either claim or need to make a new claim for Universal Credit please contact:
Tel: 01639 315000
Email: universalcredit@taitarian.co.uk 

Alternatively, if you have any other benefit queries please contact:
Tel: 01639 506623 
Email: financialinclusion@taitarian.co.uk


TOP