Government support to help with the cost of living
There are a few different one-off payments you may be able to get depending on your circumstances.
Energy bill support for every household
The Energy Bill Support Scheme gave every household a £400 discount on their energy bills for winter 2022 to 2023. This ended in March 2023.
Find out more about the Energy Bill Support Scheme on GOV.UK.
Further energy bill support
There is various types of support you can learn more about on GOV.UK, including:
- The Warm Home Discount Scheme, which could get you £140 off of your electricity bill
- Cold Weather Payments, which are paid for extremely low temperatures
- The Winter Fuel Payment, which is available to anyone claiming a state pension
Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund (HSF) is distributed by councils to directly help those who need it most.
Southampton City Council is using its allocation of the Household Support Fund to support Southampton residents who are on a low income and facing financial hardship.
Find out more about the Southampton HSF.
If you get benefits based on your income
A new round of Cost-of-Living Payments will be paid direct to bank accounts of low-income households from Spring 2023.
If you receive one of the following benefits, payments of up to £900 will be made in three lump sums:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
Exact payment windows will be announced closer to the time but the payment schedule is set to offer support throughout the year:
| Date | Payment | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Between Tuesday 2 and Tuesday 9 May 2023 | First Cost of Living Payment | £301 |
| Summer 2023 | Disability Payment | £150 |
| Autumn 2023 | Second Cost of Living Payment | £300 |
| Winter 2023/4 | Pensioner Payment | £150 or £300 |
| Spring 2024 | Third Cost of Living Payment | £299 |
Most people should have received their £301 Cost of Living Payment and £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment for 2023. Find out how to report a missing Cost of Living Payment.
If you get winter fuel payments
If you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024, you will get an extra £150 or £300 paid with your normal payment from November 2023.
You should start receiving Winter Fuel Payment automatically once you reach State Pension age, but sometimes you may need to apply. You can find out how to apply for Winter Fuel Payment on GOV.UK.
