£650 one-off Cost of Living Payment Question

phdwho

I'm just asking for clarification on this issue, if it exists. Broader policy discussion or discussion of how tough public policy making is aren't relevant to me. That's a separate discussion entirely

poppy12345

phdwho said:

I'm just asking for clarification on this issue, if it exists.

No one can specifically answer your question for certain because as we advised, we're still waiting for more guidance.

calcotti

The updated guidance issued today doesn't use the term household, it simply says that people in receipt of certain income based payments will get £650. It therefore appears that house with various people on receipt of benefits will each get the payment (which is entirely logically in respect of benefits). So, for example, an adult couple on income based ESA would get £650 and if they had two adult children living with them each claiming UC they would each get £650.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

Furthermore.as suggested in the opening post, any other approach would be very complex to administer.

Robbie64

The £650 is a cost of living payment, it's not just being paid for fuel costs. Therefore I would say it makes sense that it is £650 per person (or per couple if relevant).

It's been paid in this way because a weekly equivalent amount can't be added quickly to legacy benefits, unlike UC. That was the supposed justification for not paying a £20 per week uplift to people in receipt of legacy means tested benefits during the pandemic. The Government have decided to pay an amount in two instalments, one in July and the other in autumn to get around this problem.

coastertoaster

So daughter recieves UC and PIP so i assume she would get the £650 as well as the £150? 

poppy12345

coastertoaster said:

So daughter recieves UC and PIP so i assume she would get the £650 as well as the £150? 

Yes she will.

goatfaced

Different scenario but on the same topic, has anyone seen anything about those who earn close to the threshold? If they earn a penny too much in one month and their universal credit becomes zero for that month do they not get the payment? 

calcotti

The first payment is based on whether the claimant was in receipt on UC (or other applicable benefit) on 25th May. The qualifying date for the second payment has yet to be confirmed. This is stated in the guidance 
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment?mc_cid=d8310461d2&mc_eid=407191570c

[Deleted User]

Alice_Holt said:

DE_612183 said:

Good question - it is one per household - it may be they use the electricity suppliers data and work through for each address whether a benefit is registered at that address or not.

I'm not up-to-date with benefits but surely when you claim any benefit they already take into account anyone already in the household who has some form of income - benefit or not.
 

      You are muddling up the £400 energy grant (to be received in instalments on your electricity bills ) and the £650 cost of living payment for those in receipt of certain benefits. The £650 will be paid into claimants bank account in two tranches.

   "I'm not up-to-date with benefits".
   Consequently the information you have given, sadly, is incorrect.
 The definition of a Benefit Household is different to that normally understood by the word Household.  As an example, a parent and their non-dependent son / daughter can be a separate Benefit Households / Unit although living in the same house.     

For the people who top up their meters, how will they receive the electricity grant?

poppy12345

castanha said:

Alice_Holt said:

DE_612183 said:

Good question - it is one per household - it may be they use the electricity suppliers data and work through for each address whether a benefit is registered at that address or not.

I'm not up-to-date with benefits but surely when you claim any benefit they already take into account anyone already in the household who has some form of income - benefit or not.
 

      You are muddling up the £400 energy grant (to be received in instalments on your electricity bills ) and the £650 cost of living payment for those in receipt of certain benefits. The £650 will be paid into claimants bank account in two tranches.

   "I'm not up-to-date with benefits".
   Consequently the information you have given, sadly, is incorrect.
 The definition of a Benefit Household is different to that normally understood by the word Household.  As an example, a parent and their non-dependent son / daughter can be a separate Benefit Households / Unit although living in the same house.     

For the people who top up their meters, how will they receive the electricity grant?

It will either be applied to their meter or they will receive a voucher. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/energy-bills-support-scheme-explainer