cost of living

tony_one

I have just discovered that if you get pip or dla you wont get the cost of living allowance from the government, why is that? do they hope we starve to death so they can save the dla payments. 

Albermarle

Because PIP and DLA are not means tested benefits. People are entitled to them regardless of their financial position, so many recipients will not actually need any specific cost of living help.
I guess the presumption will be that  poorer recipients of PIP or DLA, will also be claiming some other means tested benefit and therefore will get the cost of living allowance.

No doubt some in the middle who are 'just managing' will fall through the net though.

turnitround

You get the Disability Cost of Living Allowance which is £150.

whizzywoo

EVERYONE who receives PIP or DLA, both children and adults WILL receive the £150 Cost of Living payment. 

If they are also claiming one of the relevant means tested benefits then they may also be entitled to the £650 Cost of Living payment as well.

It is set out quite clearly here in the gov.uk
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-living-support/cost-of-living-support-factsheet-26-may-2022

"£150 Disability Cost of Living Payment

• Around six million people across the UK who receive the following disability benefits will receive a one-off payment of £150 from September:
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Personal Independence Payment
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Scottish Disability Benefits
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • Constant Attendance Allowance
  • War Pension Mobility Supplement
• We know people with disabilities may face a wide range of additional costs, such as specialist equipment, specialist food, and increased transport costs, and this payment will help with these costs as they are likely to have increased. Claimants must received a payment (or later receive a payment) of, one of these qualifying benefits for as of 25th May 2022 to get the payment.
• For the many disability benefit recipients who receive means tested benefits, this £150 will come on top of the £650 they will receive separately.
• These payments will be exempt from tax, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
• The government will make these payments directly to eligible people across the UK."

poppy12345

tony_one said:

I have just discovered that if you get pip or dla you wont get the cost of living allowance from the government, why is that? do they hope we starve to death so they can save the dla payments. 

If it's just PIP or DLA you claim then yes you won't receive the £650. This is because PIP/DLA isn't means tested and a millionaire could claim these and it wouldn't affect the amount you're entitled to.

The £650 is aimed at those on low income, claiming a disability benefit doesn't mean you're on low income.

helen_stewart

I am  a pensioner receiving State Pension and Council and Housing Benefit, but I don't think I am going to receive the £650?  I am not entitled to Pension Credit as I am one of those unfortunate women who didn't get the state pension at 60 but receive the SERPS top up so I my pension payments are slightly above the current state pension entitlement.  Still not enough though, so does anyone know whether receipt of Housing and Council tax benefit mean that I will receive the £650?  Both are means tested benefits.  Thank you

Spoonie_Turtle

helen_stewart said:

I am  a pensioner receiving State Pension and Council and Housing Benefit, but I don't think I am going to receive the £650?  I am not entitled to Pension Credit as I am one of those unfortunate women who didn't get the state pension at 60 but receive the SERPS top up so I my pension payments are slightly above the current state pension entitlement.  Still not enough though, so does anyone know whether receipt of Housing and Council tax benefit mean that I will receive the £650?  Both are means tested benefits.  Thank you

Unfortunately no, Housing Benefit is not included in the list of qualifying benefits (most likely because it's administered by local councils, not DWP who are administering the payments).
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

Newly_retired

Local authorities will have discretionary funds, so it may be worth looking on their website to see who can access these, as it will vary from place to place.

cantswimwontswim

tony_one said:

I have just discovered that if you get pip or dla you wont get the cost of living allowance from the government, why is that? do they hope we starve to death so they can save the dla payments. 

While I accept that you can have a high income and still claim DLA I still find it somewhat unfair as a person who has worked and saved etc., and although on a low income my savings currently put me over the limit for Pension Credit. Therefore I have signed the petition to make people on DLA eligible for the 650 Cost of Living payment. It's worth a try even if they only increase it a little

poppy12345

cantswimwontswim said:

tony_one said:

I have just discovered that if you get pip or dla you wont get the cost of living allowance from the government, why is that? do they hope we starve to death so they can save the dla payments. 

  Therefore I have signed the petition to make people on DLA eligible for the 650 Cost of Living payment. It's worth a try even if they only increase it a little

Yes, i've seen that petition but refused to sign it. Disability benefits are not means tested so it would be impossible for DWP to go through all those claims to determine who was on low income and who wasn't. A millionaire could claim a disability benefit but that doesn't mean they're entitled to the cost of living payment. It would be wrong if they received that payment too.

fire**fly

cantswimwontswim said:

tony_one said:

I have just discovered that if you get pip or dla you wont get the cost of living allowance from the government, why is that? do they hope we starve to death so they can save the dla payments. 

While I accept that you can have a high income and still claim DLA I still find it somewhat unfair as a person who has worked and saved etc., and although on a low income my savings currently put me over the limit for Pension Credit. Therefore I have signed the petition to make people on DLA eligible for the 650 Cost of Living payment. It's worth a try even if they only increase it a little

i agree, a person who has worked/paid into the system all their working life with their disability, paid full stamps etc & cannot claim pension credit/HB &/or any other benefit because they have earned their private pension/state pension & come just over the limit it seems a just unfair.