Benefits news: page 14
- March 2023
March 2023 Budget increases UC childcare support
The March 2023 Budget raised the Universal Credit childcare element to £951 for one child and £1,630 for two children from July 2023, and paid the first month of childcare costs upfront for parents moving into work.
Spring Budget announces expansion of free childcare and Universal Credit childcare cap increase
The Chancellor has announced a phased extension of free childcare in England to working parents of children from nine months old, alongside higher Universal Credit childcare caps paid upfront.
Support for Mortgage Interest waiting period reduced
The waiting period for Support for Mortgage Interest is to be cut from nine months to three months in spring 2023, alongside changes to the zero earnings rules, according to a benefits timetable.
Top-up deadline moved to 31 July 2023
HMRC has given people until 31 July 2023 to top up National Insurance credits, extending a deadline that had been due to fall on 5 April.
- February 2023
Bereavement Support Payment eligibility extended to unmarried cohabiting parents
Eligibility for Bereavement Support Payment was extended on 9 February 2023 to unmarried cohabiting parents bereaved on or after 6 April 2017, with backdated claims possible to 30 August 2018.
Bill to legislate for 2023/24 Cost of Living Payments introduced in Commons
The Social Security (Additional Payments) (No. 2) Bill 2022-23 was introduced to the House of Commons on 7 February 2023 to legislate for two Cost of Living Payments in 2023/24.
Alternative Fuel Payment to be made automatically into electricity accounts in February for off-gas-grid GB households
Households in Great Britain that have an electricity supplier but no gas grid connection will receive the £200 Alternative Fuel Payment automatically in February, the government has confirmed.
Low Income Winter Heating Assistance payments begin in Scotland
Scotland has begun paying the new Low Income Winter Heating Assistance benefit, one of a series of benefit changes scheduled across the UK during 2023.
Winter Heating Payment replaces Cold Weather Payment in Scotland
The Winter Heating Payment replaced the Cold Weather Payment in Scotland from February 2023, paying a guaranteed annual sum to people on certain benefits rather than depending on how cold the weather gets.
- January 2023
Work and Pensions Secretary rejects change to cost of living payment qualifying rules
Mel Stride has rejected a Work and Pensions Committee call to protect Universal Credit claimants with nil awards in the qualifying period for the 2023/24 cost of living payments.
JRF report finds falling housing subsidies explain decline in renter affordability
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation says falling housing subsidies explain a 40 year decline in renter affordability, and calls for 700,000 more social homes and an end to the Local Housing Allowance freeze.
£600 energy support payments to begin for Northern Ireland households in January 2023
Northern Ireland households will start receiving a one-off £600 energy support payment in January 2023, combining £400 under the Energy Bills Support Scheme NI and £200 under the Alternative Fuel Payment.
Administrative Earnings Threshold increase
The Administrative Earnings Threshold rose in January 2023 to £617 a month for single people and £988 a month for couples, the level below which Universal Credit claimants must look for more work.
Administrative Earnings Threshold to rise to 15 hours at National Living Wage
The Administrative Earnings Threshold for Universal Credit rises from January 2023 to the equivalent of 15 hours a week at the National Living Wage, bringing more low-earning claimants into intensive work coach support.
Gov.uk online portal and phoneline for energy support applications to open in January
Households in Great Britain without an electricity supplier can apply for £400 energy support through a Gov.uk online portal opening in January, with a phoneline for those unable to use the internet.
- December 2022
£400 energy bill support paid to households
£400 was taken off energy bills for almost all UK households, with payments made through suppliers from October 2022, though some households were excluded from the scheme.
Scottish Child Payment to be fully introduced by the end of 2022
The Scottish Government has committed to pay £10 a week for every eligible child under 16 by the end of 2022, after early introduction for under sixes from early 2021.
- November 2022
Auto-award of Early Learning and School Age Payments begins
Social Security Scotland began on 28 November 2022 paying Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment automatically to eligible families already receiving Scottish Child Payment.
Autumn Statement sets benefits uprating at 10.1% and raises benefit cap
The Autumn Statement uprated most benefits by September's 10.1% CPI from April 2023, raised the benefit cap for the first time since 2016 and extended cost of living payments and energy support.
Chancellor announces second round of Cost of Living Payments
The Chancellor announced on 17 November 2022 a second round of means-tested Cost of Living Payments worth up to £900, paid in three instalments across 2023 and into spring 2024.
New housing element of Pension Credit postponed to 2028
The government has postponed the new housing element of Pension Credit until 2028, meaning pensioners who rent will keep receiving Housing Benefit in the meantime.
irESA migration to Universal Credit delayed until April 2028
The Department for Work and Pensions has delayed managed migration to Universal Credit for most people claiming income-related Employment and Support Allowance until April 2028, while some claimants move sooner.
Automatic payments introduced for Best Start Grant Early Learning and School Age Payments
Social Security Scotland now checks and pays Best Start Grant Early Learning and School Age Payments automatically for families getting Scottish Child Payment whose children meet the age conditions.
Scottish Child Payment set at £28.20 per week for children under 16
The Scottish Child Payment was extended to children aged 6 to 15 on 14 November 2022, with the weekly rate set at £28.20 per child under 16 and paid every four weeks.
Remaining provisions of S.S.I. 2022/271 come into force
The remaining provisions of the Council Tax Reduction and Council Tax (Discounts) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (No. 2) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 came into force on 3 November 2022, covering a cost of living payment capital disregard and revocations.
Amendment regulations extend Scottish Child Payment to children aged 6-15
Amendment regulations in force from November 2022 extended the Scottish Child Payment to children aged 6 to 15, and the weekly rate rose to £25 per eligible child.
Autumn Statement announces 2023/24 Cost of Living Payments
The 17 November 2022 Autumn Statement set out Cost of Living Payments for 2023/24, including £900 for people on means-tested benefits, £150 for disability benefit recipients and £300 for pensioners.
Chancellor announced cost of living support package
Jeremy Hunt's 2022 Autumn Statement introduced a package of cost of living support, including three payments worth £900 for means-tested benefit claimants and extra help for pensioners and disabled people.
Energy Bills Support Scheme £400 credit begins in Northern Ireland
Households in Northern Ireland began receiving the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme credit from November 2022, paid automatically through electricity suppliers in six monthly instalments.
Full PIP rollout delayed, pausing managed migration of DLA claimants until April 2028
The November 2022 delay to the full rollout of Personal Independence Payment paused the managed migration of legacy Disability Living Allowance claimants until April 2028, saving £0.8 billion over five years.