For people on Pension Credit and other low income benefits

The first of a number of cost of living payments for 2023 will be paid between 25th April and 17th May 2023, although most people are expected to receive it by 4th May. This first payment is £301 and you do not need to apply -you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits if you qualify.

You should get this payment if you are entitled to one of the following benefits:

• Pension credit
• Income-related employment and support allowance
• Income support
• Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
• Universal credit (providing you didn’t have a ‘nil’ award)

If you get child tax credit or working tax but don’t also get one of the above benefits, you should still get the payment but it will arrive in your account between 2nd and 9th May

You need to have been entitled to it for at least one day during the qualifying period, which is between 26 January 2023 and 25 February 2023.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment#low-income-benefits-and-tax-credits-cost-of-living-payment

If you are over state pension age and on a low income but do not already get pension credit it is worth checking if you are entitled to claim as soon as possible – pension credit can be backdated for 3 months so if you make a successful claim now (before 19th May) you would then also be entitled to this cost of living payment. You can check this online https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator or call the pension credit helpline 0800 99 1234

Local elections are coming up and these will be the first time the new voting rules apply. From now on you will need to show photographic ID to vote in person.

This includes an older persons bus pass or disabled persons bus pass.

Acceptable forms of photo ID are:

Passport issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, a British Overseas Territory, an EEA state or a Commonwealth country

Driving licence issued by the UK, any of the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or an EEA state

Biometric immigration document

Identity card bearing the Proof of Age Standards Scheme hologram (a PASS card)

Ministry of Defence Form 90 (Defence Identity Card)

Blue Badge

National identity card issued by an EEA state

Older Person’s Bus Pass

Disabled Person’s Bus Pass

Oyster 60+ Card

Freedom Pass

Scottish National Entitlement Card issued in Scotland

60 and Over Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales

Disabled Person’s Welsh Concessionary Travel Card issued in Wales

Senior SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

Registered Blind SmartPass or Blind Person’s SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

War Disablement SmartPass or War Disabled SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

60+ SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

Half Fare SmartPass issued in Northern Ireland

Electoral Identity Card issued in Northern Ireland

Voter Authority Certificate or a temporary Voter Authority Certificate

If your photo ID has expired it will still be accepted as long as the photograph is still a good likeness of you.

If you don’t have any kind of photo ID you can apply for a free voter authority certificate to be used as ID specifically for voting and you can do this online—see https://www.leeds.gov.uk/your-council/elections/voter-id for more information or call 0113 222 4411 for a paper application form. Or you can also go to a library or community hub where they will help you to apply. You need to apply by 25th April to be able to use this in the May elections

If you vote by post you do not need photo ID

If you want some help with any of this, please contact Caring Together.

We are closed for the Easter Holidays from Friday 7th and re-open on Wednesday 12 April

The Councillor’s surgery will be open at our premises on Tuesday 11th April between 5pm and 6pm

This may mean some of you will become eligible and in other cases some of you may not as you had done previously.

How is the scheme different from previous years?

One of the main changes is that households who meet the eligibility criteria are now guaranteed a payment. Previously, the scheme operated on a first come, first served basis, with only a limited number of discounts.

In addition, those who qualify no longer need to make an application. The discounts are made automatically.

However, the use of a high energy score for properties means that some of you may be less likely to qualify than in the past. In addition, fuel companies will no longer have the discretion to extend the discount to other groups who don’t get one of the means-tested benefits. In the past, some energy suppliers would allow families in receipt of Disability Living Allowance to apply, even if they were not on means-tested benefits. [Information sourced from: https://contact.org.uk/…/new-warm-home-discount-scheme…/]

If your property has a high energy cost score. You will only qualify if the government considers your property to have high energy costs.

In looking at this issue, the government will look at three main factors: the property type: its age; and its floor area. This will be made based on information about your property held by the Valuation Office Agency.

Where there are changes you are being asked to contact the helpline but we are being informed that when trying to make contact it can take ages to get through. We have even tried ourselves and it does take some time so please do persevere as you will get through at some point. They have said the best times to call are about 4pm.

I have noted below further information that might help. And as always if you need to get in touch with us then please do.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/warm-home-discount/