All July 2023 DWP cost of living payments, benefits, and changes
With the end of June now on the horizon, it’s worth getting all your financial arrangements ready for next month.
The cost of living crisis is yet to relent, meaning many households around the country will be taking a long hard look at how to make ends meet.
Inflation is still biting at household incomes, and interest rate rises have also affected mortgage payments, meaning members of the public may be looking to government assistance, like the cost of living payments, for help.
With that in mind, here are all the Department for Work and Pensions benefits and cost of living changes due in July 2023.
DWP disability cost of living payment
Those who are eligible will receive the disability cost of living payment, worth £150, between the end of June and early July.
The payment is being made to anyone who receives the following benefits:
- Disability living allowance
- Personal independence payment
- Attendance allowance
- Scottish disability benefits
- Armed Forces independence payment
- Constant attendance allowance
- War pension mobility supplement
The payment should be made automatically, with no need to apply.
Payment date: Between June 20 and July 4
More information is available on the Gov.uk cost of living webpage.
Energy Price Guarantee increase and Energy Price Cap decrease
The Energy Price Guarantee keeping typical use energy bills at around £2,500 (in place since Liz Truss’ short tenure in Downing Street) was extended by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt but is due to increase to £3000 from July.
Fortunately, Ofgem announced that their Energy Price Cap would be reduced from £3,280 to £2,074 and will come into effect on the same date – and energy customers pay whichever is cheaper.
Expiration date: July 1
More information is available on the Gov.uk Energy Price Guarantee webpage and the Ofgem Energy Price Cap website.
Household Support Fund
Announced in 2021, the Household Support Fund saw a significant increase in funding in March 2022.
The scheme was also extended in April of this year, and, speaking at the time, Mims Davies MP, DWP Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, said: ‘This significant extension to the Government’s Household Support Fund is hugely welcome – as it has already helped millions of vulnerable families across England through these financially-testing times and will continue to do so over the next year.’
The fund provides small payments to help cover daily necessities such as food, utilities, and clothing through cash payments or voucher schemes.
Household Support Funds are distributed through local authorities, and each will have different qualifying factors, which will be available on their website.
In place until: March 31, 2024
You can find your local authorities’ website using the Gov. UK postcode checker.
Regular benefit payment dates
Payment dates for benefits are occasionally brought forwards if they are due to take place on a bank holiday.
With us having lots of bank holidays of late, it’s worth noting that benefit payments should take place on their regular payment date this month.
This includes:
- Universal credit
- State pension
- Pension credit
- Disability living allowance
- Personal independence payment
- Attendance allowance
- Carer’s allowance
- Employment support allowance
- Income support
- Jobseeker’s allowance
However, double-check your payment date via gov.uk page on benefit payment dates.
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