4 October 2022
The second part of the £650 cost of living payment, the first of which was made in July, will be paid into accounts between 8 and 23 November. You do not need to apply for the £324 as it will be paid automatically.
For those on Universal Credit who have a claimant commitment and been deemed fit for work, the earnings threshold has been increased per calendar month. This means that a minimum amount of work and earnings is required to remain in the ‘light touch’ group. The earnings amount has risen from £355 to £494 monthly for a single person, and from £567 to £782 a month for couples. The light touch group still has a claimant commitment, but they are not regularly reviewed. Anyone affected will be contacted in their job journal. Carers who have regular and substantial caring responsibilities are not subject to a claimant commitment.
The government is refusing to say whether benefits will increase with inflation but are reportedly considering raising benefits in line with earnings. This could mean another reduction in the earnings taper. It is currently 55p which means that for every £1 earned, 55p is taken away from the UC amount.
For people with children or those who have limited capability for work, this taper is not triggered until an earnings threshold is reached – currently £573 for those without housing costs and £344 for those receiving housing cost.
Benefits are uprated in line with the consumer price index from September with the rise coming into effect the following April.
Please contact us if you need any advice.
We have produced a leaflet detailing current help available and this is updated regularly. Call us on 0333 1212 300 or email info@downs-syndrome.org.uk.