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Aid is still available, but several key state winter support programs have already expired Millions of people across the UK continue to struggle with skyrocketing bills as the cost of living crisis persists. With inflation still in double digits at 10.4%, after an unexpected rise in March, the cost of goods in supermarket aisles and high street shelves remains high, testing the household budgets after a long winter with expensive energy bills.
And while there is plenty of state aid available, it can be difficult to know precisely which initiatives are currently underway and for how long.
The government's warm housing discount and cold weather pay programs ceased to apply as of April 1, for example.
Below, we take a look at the help households are eligible for and the key dates to look out for to make sure you don't miss a thing.
Extended Energy Price Guarantee
There was some good news for consumers recently in Jeremy Hunt's March 15 budget, with the Chancellor announcing that the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG), introduced by Liz Truss last September to ensure that households do not pay more than £2,500 for your electricity. and gas, with the government subsidizing the remainder owed to suppliers as part of Ofgem's power price cap, would be extended for another three months.
Hunt was reportedly tempted to increase the EPG to £3,000, a considerably less generous offer that would have eased the burden on the estate, but eventually thought better of it.
“High energy bills are one of the biggest concerns for families, so we are keeping the energy price guarantee at its current level,” the chancellor told parliament in his spring statement.
"With energy bills expected to drop from July, this temporary change will close the gap and ease the pressure on families, while helping to reduce inflation."
Without this support, the average household would have paid an annualized bill of £4,279 between January and April but, thanks to the EPG, this has been reduced to £2,500 and the government recovered the remaining £1,779.
Ofgem has since reduced the cap by 23% to £3,280 for the second quarter of the year, and Hunt's decision means the public will still be protected rather than pay the full amount, while the state will pay much less, more like £780 per household.
The energy bill assistance program has expired
Although it may seem like a welcome development, the energy bill support scheme introduced by Rishi Sunak a year ago during his stay at 11 Downing Street has now expired, with the last £67 installment of the £400 total. sterling in bank accounts at the end. of March.
Campaigners such as Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty have warned that the change means many families could now end up paying more.
"Withdrawing from the Power Bill Support Scheme will still mean the average monthly bill will rise by £67 from April," he said. “With millions of people no longer able to pay their bills and energy prices expected to remain high for years to come, the government must now consider long-term solutions to this problem.
“Many people, especially those with low incomes, will need continued support not only to pay their bills, but also to make their homes safer and warmer through better energy efficiency.
Sarah Coles, personal finance manager at Hargreaves Lansdown, agreed, commenting: “Unfortunately, we're not out of the woods yet. The loss of the April monthly discount is going to be a big blow again, as we'll have to find an extra £67 every month somewhere.
“Already, 48% of people have difficulty paying their energy bills, compared to 54% among those aged 30-40. Meanwhile, more than one in 20 have been late on their bills (6%). This figure rises to one in seven of the bottom fifth earners.
"For these people, removing the £67 per month discount will mean even bigger nightmares."
Key service dates
Despite this possible setback, the usual state support in the form of subsidies and pensions will disappear as usual in May, although it must be borne in mind that there are no fewer than three holidays this month, which could complicate things. a bit.
May Day (Monday May 1), the Coronation of King Charles III (Monday May 8) and the spring bank holiday on Monday May 29 are all public holidays, so anyone expecting to receive any of the following Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) payments on any of these three dates will receive their money one business day before:
If you don't expect payment on any of these three dates, you should be paid normally and you won't be affected by the small interruption.
For more information on how and when state benefits are paid, visit the government website.
An additional £1,350 in paid support
It's also worth bearing in mind that the DWP has announced that millions of low-income households will receive additional cost-of-living support worth up to £1,350 this year.
Eight million claimants eligible for means-tested benefits, including those for Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits, will receive £900 in installments from this spring, with the money going directly to bank accounts in three installments, the DWP said .
There will also be a separate payment of £150 for more than six million disabled people and an additional £300 for more than eight million pensioners.
These are the payment windows that have been announced:
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