Rebecca Harris MP has welcomed the arrival of the second Cost of Living payment worth £300 for 8,100 vulnerable and low income households in Castle Point from 31 October 2023, as part of the Conservative Government’s record £94 billion cost of living support package.

Eight million households across the UK in receipt of eligible means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or tax credits, will benefit from the second of three Cost of Living payments totalling £900 in 2023-24. These payments help low-income and vulnerable families affected by rising prices driven by Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. This latest payment builds on the Cost of Living payments made last year worth up to £1,200 and form part of the Conservative Government’s record financial support for the most vulnerable, worth an average of £3,300 per household.

The payment will be made automatically so there is no need to apply, it will not count towards the benefit cap or impact on existing benefit awards. Should you receive an email encouraging you to apply this is a scam and you should ignore it. 

Further support will also be made available for vulnerable households later this winter. Winter Fuel Payments have been boosted again this year with an additional £300 Pensioner Cost of Living payment. In addition, nearly three million low-income households are eligible for a £150 rebate on their winter electricity bills through the Warm Home Discount and the Cold Weather Payment is coming into effect from 1 November 2023 to provide eligible households an extra £25 a week when the temperature drops below zero degrees for more than seven days.

The Conservative Government is taking immediate steps to support hardworking families with the cost of living, while working to halve inflation and taking the long- term decisions that are in the best interests of the country.

Commenting, Rebecca Harris MP said:

“The Conservative Government is continuing to do everything it can to cushion households across Castle Point from the impact of rising prices driven by Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the pandemic. The record financial support has already supported thousands of families and this latest £300 Cost of Living payment will make a huge difference to the most vulnerable households and those on the lowest incomes as we move into the colder months."

Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:

“Tackling inflation is the best way to boost people’s incomes, but as we work to halve it, we are protecting the most vulnerable households from high prices with this latest Cost of Living payment. Thousands of Work Coaches based in Jobcentres across the country are on hand to help people find work or enhance their skills and I encourage anyone wanting to strengthen their finances and unleash the benefits of work to contact their local Jobcentre to see what help is available.”