Get the fact for all the cost of living payments from the government, what you're eligible for ... plus when payments will be made.

As the cost of living and inflation continue to bite for families, more people than ever are looking for help in making ends meet. Here, we provide a list of benefits available for energy, disability payments, cost of living payments and more.

In a 'Help for Households' list for 2023, the government urges families to be aware of every grant and scheme available to them.

Many UK households are receiving more cost of living payments, in a £26 billion government support package. The 2023-24 payments follow the support provided last year to help people cope with soaring inflation and rising energy, fuel, retail and household bills.

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See what support is available to help with the cost of living here:

£900 cost of living payment

If you claim certain benefits or tax credits, you may be eligible for an extra £900 payment between spring 2023 and spring 2024 to help with the cost of living. If you’re eligible, payments will be made automatically.

To be eligible for the payment, households will need to be claiming at least one of the following:

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Tax Credits (Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit)
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax support
• Social Fund (Sure Start Maternity Grant, Funeral Payment, Cold Weather Payment)
• Universal Credit

What you need to do: You'll automatically get the payments if you meet the eligibility criteria.

£400 energy bill discount

Millions of households started receiving a £400 energy bill discount from 1 October 2022.

The payment has been split across six discounts between October 2022 and March 2023.

Households should have already received a £66 energy bill discount in October and November last year and a discount worth £67 in December.

Further discounts worth £67 each have followed in January, February and March.

In the Spring Budget announced 15 March 2023, Jeremy Hunt extended the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) for an additional 3 months , from April to June. That move can also save the average household £160. Read our story above for the full details.

What you need to do: Check with your supplier to confirm how you'll receive the discount.

Updates for those on prepayment meters

According to Money Saving Expert , 'Prepayment meter customers typically pay more for their energy than those paying by direct debit.' That's because the extra cost for energy firms to manage meters – such as supplying vouchers and collecting payments – is passed on to customers.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt says from 1 July 2023 the 'prepayment penalty' will end, 'cutting bills for over 4 million households,' according to MSE.

'The change is expected to come into effect from 1 July through updates to the Energy Price Guarantee, with the full announcement on the reform to come in the Chancellor's budget on Wednesday 15 March.'

The Treasury estimates prepay households will save an average of £45 a year on their energy bills and will no longer pay more compared to people on direct debits.

What you need to do: If you're on a prepayment meter, check with your energy supplier to ensure you see the benefits of this change.

£150 Warm Home Discount Scheme

The Warm Home Discount Scheme awarded payments of £150 off electricity bills for winter 2022 to 2023.

The money is not paid to you – it's a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October 2022 and March 2023.

According to EDF Energy , the changes introduced this year in England and Wales mean that if you're eligible to receive the £150 payment, you don't need to apply. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will write to you from November 2022 if you qualify for the Warm Home Discount – Core Group 1 or Core Group 2 rebate.

You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.

What you need to do: If you qualify, you don't need to do anything. If you think you qualify but haven't received it, call the Warm Home Discount helpline: 0800 107 8002.

£300 pensioner cost of living payment

The current Pensioner Cost of Living payment is being given to all pensioners who normally get the Winter Fuel Payment.

This means you qualify if:

• You were born on or before September 25, 1956
• You lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 19 to 25 September 2022 in what is known as the 'qualifying week'

Jeremy Hunt confirmed in his Autumn Statement that millions of elderly Brits will receive another one-off £300 payment in April 2023.

Again, you qualify if you were born on or before September 25, 1956, but it's not yet known whether households will qualify if they normally receive the Winter Fuel Payment.

What you need to do: If you qualify you should have been paid in November or December. If you think you should have gotten it, check here if you need to claim .

£150 disability cost of living payment

People with disabilities who qualified for the current £150 one-off payment needed to receive one of the following:

• Attendance Allowance
• Constant Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance for adults
• Disability Living Allowance for children
• Personal Independence Payment
• Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
• Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• War Pension Mobility Supplement

Mr Hunt confirmed a second £150 payment will be made next year, but the criteria for receiving it is not yet known.

What you need to do: Keep checking in with Netmums and subscribe to the Money newsletter – we'll be keeping tabs on payments throughout the year.

Cold weather payments - worth £25 a week

When temperatures plummet those in low-income households can get a £25 payment.

The cold-weather payments are made in locations where residents experience continuous below-zero weather.

The payment is made automatically, including to those on Universal Credit, for each 7-day period of low temperatures from November 1 to March 31.

Cold weather payments have already been triggered across hundreds of postcodes in England and Wales this winter and thousands will have already received several £25 payments.

If more cold snaps follow, thousands could see further payments directly into their bank accounts.

What you need to do: Check your bank account to see if you've gotten the payment.

Fuel vouchers - up to £50

If you're on a prepayment meter you might be able to get a one-off voucher to top up.

The fuel voucher scheme comes via the Fuel Bank Foundation charity, and it's offered through a range of organisations, like food banks and Citizens Advice.

The best place to start to find somewhere which can offer you a fuel voucher is by asking your local council - you can find yours via Gov.UK by searching your postcode.

The voucher should help you cover around 2 weeks' worth of electricity use.

Some energy companies may also issue their own vouchers, so ask your supplier directly.

What you need to do: Get in touch with your council and your energy supplier to ask if you can get the fuel voucher.

How can I ensure that I qualify for the support?

Millions of eligible households aren't claiming benefits that they're entitled to.

Visit the Government website to see what you're eligible for.

Energy saving tips to save money

There are lots of things you can do at home, from easy no cost actions to bigger investments, that could save you hundreds more.

It all adds up.

See the Government's energy saving tips here.

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