Cost of living support

As the cost of living continues to affect households across the UK, the government has announced the cost of living payment of £900 for 2023/2024.

People entitled to the payment will get:

• £301 paid between 25 April 2023 and 17 May 2023 if you’re on DWP benefits
• £301 paid between 2 and 9 May 2023 if you get tax credits only
• £300 paid between 31 October and 19 November if you get DWP benefits
• £300 paid between 10 and 19 November if you only get tax credits
• £299 paid during spring 2024.
• £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment if you’re getting certain qualifying benefits - Most people were paid the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment automatically between 20 June 2023 and 4 July 2023.

Pensioner cost of living payment

If you are entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment 2023-2024 you will get an extra £150 or £300 paid with your normal payment from November 2023. The amount you will get is dependent when you were born (before 25 September 1957) and your circumstances during the qualifying dates.

You will be sent a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get if you’re eligible.

For further information about this please visit the GOV.UK website

Extra Help

• Get in touch with your local authority – the Household Support Fund has been extended until March 2024. The fund intends to help vulnerable households with essential costs such as food, energy bills, water bills and other essentials. https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council Find your local council to see what support they are providing.
• Contact your Energy provider- Many of the big energy firms provide grants to help people who are behind with payments. Contact yours to find out if they have additional funding available.
• Contact your water provider- If you are on a low income or you are claiming benefits you may be able to apply for a social tariff to help pay your water bill or help to pay any arrears.

In response to the Cost-of-Living crisis, Voluntary Action Sheffield have created a useful guide on where to find local assistance through their Sheffield Cost of Living Crisis Map of Support. This Map details support offered by groups such as community hubs and welcoming places. The Hubs offer a coordinated response to increasing costs of food, energy, housing, and other essential resources. 

To find out more about the local hubs and the support available please visit https://www.vas.org.uk/sheffield-living-crisis-map-of-support/