£650 Cost of living payment. Living with parents on income related ESA. Mum does not claim benefits

Ihatethinkingofusernames11

Hello I am in receipt of income related ESA and have been following the cost of living payment closely.
I thought I may be eligible and was claiming on the necessary dates. 

I did read on an online news website that the payment is per claim not per household, and it gave an example of a house share. 

However, it did not cover a household with myself living with parents.
My mother is head of household and does not claim any eligible benefits. 

So I thought it got cleared up but then read in the press release on the government website from 22nd of June. 

It says:-

"Please note that the tables below measure slightly different groups – this is because entitlement to means-tested benefits is done by family, whereas disability entitlement is done for individuals (so one family could have multiple disability payments)." 

The above "by family" has made me believe the £650 payment may not be per claimant just by family/ household and the £150 by "individuals". 
Or, am I reading too much into it? 
It really confuses things. 

The government website also say they are using a computer program now to determine eligibility which does not fill me with hope.

I'm not the best at legal things and just want to know if I'm eligible? 

On a lighter note I am pleased to say I pushed my mum to change elecricity/ gas suppliers at the right time (when prices first started rising) and got a two year fix costing around £90 per month. 
I want to use some of this money if eligible to build credit on the electric and soften the blow when the fix ends in November 2023 but have my doubts. 

Thanks in advance

Spoonie_Turtle

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

You will get the £650 payment because you claim income-based ESA.

When you read 'families', it is basically per claim - it meant families on one benefit claim.  E.g. a couple claiming UC with or without dependent children would get a single £650 payment.  If two people are on an ESA claim, ditto.  Whereas people claiming disability benefits will each get the £150 regardless of who else might also get one in the family. 

So for instance if in a family claiming UC every single person also claimed a disability benefit, there would be one £650 payment because it's one UC claim, but each person would also get a £150 payment.

Ihatethinkingofusernames11

Hi thanks for replying. I think I understand and the examples have helped. 

So It makes no difference who is technically the Head of the household in my family? I thought it may be different as Mum pays the council tax and it mentioned "household's". 

I now assume that only matters regarding the £400 energy payment?
Will this be distributed by the energy firm? 
I still want to top it up with my COL payment too. 

I have applied for PIP as I'm not doing well and also found out I'll be better off on UC but am really hesitant to move due to hearing negative things. 
Maybe I should make a separate post. 

Thanks for your help

calcotti

The energy payments will be a credit on the electricity bill administered by the supplier.

Ihatethinkingofusernames11

Hello, that is reassuring to know. I hoped it would be given out that way. 

At least its going where it is intended anyway. Thanks