Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living: Disability Benefit Claimants

Monday 11 July 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Six million people receiving eligible disability benefits will get a 150 disability cost of living payment.
  • Many eligible individuals will also receive a 400 energy bill discount and a 650 cost of living payment for lower-income households.
  • Local authorities have received millions of pounds through the household support fund to assist those in need.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The cost of living is increasing, placing a significant financial burden on individuals who receive disability benefits. There are concerns about how these individuals can manage their expenses.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to support people in receipt of disability benefits with the rising cost of living?

Answer from Chloe Smith

Six million people in receipt of an eligible disability benefit will receive a £150 disability cost of living payment, as well as the £400 energy bill discount. Many will also be eligible for the £650 cost of living payment for lower-income households, the first instalments of which are being paid this week.

Answered
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Q2 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Energy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Ofgem prediction that a typical bill would rise to £2,800 in October has been surpassed by an additional increase of about £450, and there is yet another expected increase in January. This places further strain on people receiving disability benefits.

Question

I thank the Minister for that response, but at the time when the then Chancellor came up with that support package in May, Ofgem's cap prediction was that a typical bill would rise to £2,800 in October. It now looks as though it could be something like £450 more than that, with yet another rise in January. What additional support will whoever the Chancellor is, or will be in a couple of weeks' time, come up with to ensure people with disabilities can manage to pay their fuel bills?

Answer from Chloe Smith

The helpful thing I can add here is that disabled people can, of course, also benefit from the package previously announced in the spring statement, which continues in the format of the household support fund. Many millions of pounds have already been allocated to local authorities, which are best placed to direct help to those who need it most.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Additional specific financial assistance for disabled individuals facing upcoming energy cost increases

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