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.
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
On Sunday April 23rd at 3pm there will be a test of the new UK emergency alerts system.
Emergency Alerts is a UK government service that will warn you if there’s a danger to life nearby.
In an emergency, your smartphone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.
The government does not need to know your phone number or location to send you an alert.
The alert on Sunday is just a test and so you do not need to do anything, in a real emergency you should follow the instructions that come with the alert.
It will only go to smartphones or tablets that work on 4g or 5g networks, so if you have an older phone it may not receive it.
When the test happens your device is likely to make a loud siren like sound, even if it’s set on silent and maybe vibrate. The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds.
If, for any reason, you do not want to receive the test alert please make sure your phone is switched off at 3pm on Sunday – you will not get the alert when it is switched back on.
The message that you will get (in England) is:
This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.
In an actual emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.
This is a test. You do not need to take any action.
You WON’T be asked for your phone number, location or other details – beware scammers trying to take advantage
The alerts are sent by mobile phone masts, which can broadcast them to compatible devices in the surrounding area during an emergency.
This means the Government does NOT need your phone number, location or any other personal details to send you an emergency alert, and you DON’T need to download an app or sign up to receive them.
Scammers often exploit Government initiatives and other news items as a way to target people so be wary of suspicious texts, emails or other messages asking you to hand over your details.
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.
There are a number of changes to the bus services across Leeds from this Sunday – 2nd April. This will affect the current 51/52 service which runs through Woodhouse & Little London. This route is to be divided into 2 separate routes and so will no longer go through to Morley from this area.
The 51/52 route will run from Morley to Leeds City Centre and back only
A new service 38/39 will cover the route from Moor Allerton to Leeds City Centre (via Woodhouse & Little London). New service 38 will run via the old 51 route, and new service 39 will run via the 52 route.
Leeds City Council are planning major changes to the A660 as it comes through Headingley and Woodhouse.
If you want to look at these plans and give your thoughts there is a public consultation until Saturday 5th March
You can see the plans and have your say online by visiting this link or there are a number of drop in events around the area (note first one is today)
Thursday 16 February 2023, 3-7pm, St Chad’s Parish Centre, Otley Road, LS16 5JT.
Tuesday 21 February 2023, 3-7pm, HEART Centre, Bennett Road, LS6 3HN.
Saturday 25 February 2023, 1.30-4.30pm, St Augustine’s Wrangthorn Church, Hyde Park Terrace, LS6 1BJ.
Tuesday 28 February 2023, 10am-3:30pm, Room 6, Leeds University Union, Lifton Place, LS2 9JZ.
The aim of the plans are to address a high number of casualties along this route whilst providing safer, alternative travel options for Headingley and Hyde Park’s residents.
From LCC News : “Connecting Leeds, Leeds City Council’s Highways and Transport team, is asking for people’s thoughts on proposed improvements to the A660. The £10.4million plans, funded by Active Travel England, focus on the A-road from Shaw Lane junction (home to restaurants Salvo’s and Heaney & Mill) up to St Mark’s Road in Woodhouse (near to the University of Leeds’ Parkinson Building).
The A660 is a main road into and out of the city centre for motorised vehicles and people who walk, wheel or cycle, as well as a popular route for students living in the area accessing university and college campuses. It is one of the busiest cycle routes in Leeds with over 1,000 cyclists using it daily, however, it suffers from a high casualty rate with 172 casualties happening along this road during 2016-2021.
The proposed highways treatments to A660 Otley Road, Headingley Lane and Woodhouse Lane follow on from works that are currently being delivered to A660 Otley Road from Lawnswood roundabout to Shaw Lane junction. This was previously consulted on in March 2022 and is also funded by Active Travel England.
The current consultation focuses on:
A reduction of speed from 30mph to 20mph along the A660 Otley Road between Shaw Lane and St Michael’s Road.
Safety improvements where the A660 meets North Lane, Victoria Road, Hyde Park Road (Hyde Park Corner), Clarendon Road and St Mark’s Road junctions.
Continuous crossings along the A660 with other junctions, to give pedestrians and cyclists priority.
A diagonal crossing facility at North Lane junction, Leeds’ second diagonal crossing.
2-metre wide segregated cycle lanes both inbound and outbound along most of the route.
Widened footways along the route
Improved bus stops and shelters, including relocating some stops
Merging infrequently used bus shelters.
Closure of St Michael’s Road and Regent Park Avenue to motorised vehicles to prevent rat-running.
Improved landscaping and spaces along the route, including a more pleasant environment around the War Memorial on St Michael’s Road.”
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.
As we enter the new year, we know that the increase in cost of living continues to touch many people, and some may only be starting to feel the impact.
We will continue to do all we can to support anyone affected. As well as our regular email updates, please remember you can visit our Cost of Living website for support and advice on housing, food, fuel and health, as well as details of events taking place across Leeds to support local residents.
Leeds City Council
Energy discount vouchers for pre-payment meters
If you use energy pre-payment meters, you should be receiving energy bill discount vouchers from the first week of the month, through either text, email or the post (using your registered contact details).
You will need to redeem these at your usual top-up point, such as your nearest PayPoint or Post Office branch.
Warm Spaces across Leeds offer a welcoming and safe warm place for anyone to use for free, particularly if you’re struggling with the cost of heating your home during cold weather. Opening hours have now returned to normal after the festive period.
A reminder that community hubs and libraries offer warm spaces and a warm welcome. You can also access additional services including help with job applications, claiming benefits you could be eligible for and money saving tips and budgeting. You can find your local community hub here.
A leading doctor in West Yorkshire is calling on people who haven’t yet had their flu and COVID vaccinations to come forward as soon as possible. You can read more here
Help with childcare costs
Over a million families in the UK are entitled to support with the cost of childcare from the government. Find out whether you’re eligible for tax-free childcare or 30 hours per week of free childcare at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Could you be a foster carer?
If you’re considering fostering, joining Foster4Leeds means you can help the council keep Leeds children in their local area, and you’ll receive a huge amount of support from our amazing fostering service and other local foster families.
For more information visit www.leeds.gov.uk/foster4leeds or to speak to a member of the Foster4Leeds team, call 0113 378 3538.
Free and low cost activities in Leeds
With the cost of living going up, many people are searching for fun things to do that won’t break the bank. For some inspiration, take a look here: Free and low-cost activities for people in Leeds
Leeds 2023 is a year-long celebration of culture. It kicked off earlier this month with The Awakening at Headingley Stadium, featuring music, poetry, dance, comedy and more. You can find out more about Leeds 2023 here.
And finally… Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield are made freemen of Leeds
This week Leeds added a new chapter to a remarkable story of courage and comradeship as the city awarded its highest civic honour to Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield.
Rugby league legends Rob and Kevin have both been given the freedom of Leeds in recognition of their heroic campaigning and fundraising for all those affected by motor neurone disease (MND).
