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<p>The Government recognises that the rising cost of living has presented additional
financial challenges to many people, and especially to the most vulnerable members
of society, such as disabled people and people with long-term health conditions –
who may have additional energy costs. That is why the Government is taking decisive
action to support households while ensuring we act in a fiscally responsible way.</p><p
/><p>At Autumn Statement 2022, the Government announced that it will provide a further
Disability Cost of Living Payment of £150 in 2023/24 to people in receipt of extra-costs
disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living
Allowance (DLA). This is additional to the £150 payment for recipients of disability
benefits in 2022 already announced as part of the Cost of Living package in May.</p><p>
</p><p>Pensioners are more likely to be living in harder to heat homes and suffer
disproportionately from adverse health effects from living in a cold home. Many pensioners
rely primarily on their State Pension for income and have limited scope to increase
their income through work. There will be disabled people (or other family members)
in working-age households who may be able to supplement their incomes through work.</p><p>
</p><p>However, the Government recognises that there are also many disabled people
who cannot increase their incomes through work and who receive means-tested benefits.
Individuals who have limited or no ability to work because of their disability or
long-term health condition, and are in receipt of means-tested benefits such as income-related
Employment and Support Allowance or the Universal Credit Health top up, will therefore
also receive the Cost of Living Payments for households on means-tested benefits,
namely the £650 payment announced in May and the additional £900 payment announced
at Autumn Statement.</p><p> </p><p>Disabled people and people with long-term health
conditions will also benefit from other forms of non-means-tested support which the
Government is providing to assist with household energy bills. We have taken decisive
action to support millions of households with rising energy costs through the Energy
Price Guarantee, which limits the price suppliers can charge customers for units
of gas and electricity. In addition to the Energy Price Guarantee, millions of the
most vulnerable households will receive further support this year through the £400
Energy Bills Support Scheme. The £150 Council Tax rebate will also mean that all households
in Council Tax bands A-D will receive a rebate, and 99% of eligible households have
already received this.</p>
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