February 2024 dates for advantages, pensions and cost of living payments

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Inflation charges rose to 4.0 per cent final month, stunning economists who had forecast a fall and nonetheless removed from the Bank of England’s 2 per cent goal.

Paired with a freezing chilly begin to 2024, payments, meals costs and rents all stay excessive. Food and power payments stay above pre-pandemic ranges, in accordance with the Resolution Foundation, however forecasts present that we may even see each maintain regular and even start to fall later into 2024.

Research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation reveals that greater than 56 per cent of low-income households reported not having sufficient cash for both meals or heating their house final yr. Nearly half have been pressured to chop again on presents for family members, as 73 per cent stay with out a safe revenue to afford to eat.

Here is a quick overview of the state monetary help accessible to low-income households this February and the dates on which advantages recipients can anticipate their cash to be paid out:

Benefits going out as traditional

The traditional advantages and pensions payments will likely be going out as regular in February, with no financial institution holidays scheduled to confuse supply dates. These are:

For extra data on how and when state advantages are paid, please go to the federal government’s web site.

Next cost of living fee

The remaining cost of living fee of £299 will likely be paid between February 6, 2024 and February 22, 2024. People receiving sure advantages or tax credit are eligible for the cost of living fee. These embody: Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Income Support, Pension cCedit, Child Tax Credit, and Working Tax Credit.

This fee follows a number of others made all through 2023:

If you imagine you’re eligible for these payments however haven’t obtained them, you need to contact the DWP.

Winter and chilly climate advantages

There are three key help schemes accessible to individuals as chilly climate hits within the winter months:

Cold Weather Payments

A chilly snap at first of the yr noticed many postcodes qualify for the Cold Weather Payment. If you reside in an space that has expertise seven or extra days of temperatures at or under zero, you’re eligible for £25 for each seven days of chilly. In Scotland, this scheme was not too long ago changed with the Winter Heating Payment.

Warm Home Discount

If you’re on a low-income and have excessive power prices, you could possibly get a one-off £150 fee to assist along with your payments. You can even qualify in case you get the Guarantee Credit factor of Pension Credit. The low cost must be utilized to yoru power payments between October 2023 and March 2024. The scheme works barely in a different way for Scottish candidates.

You ought to obtain a letter in January 2024 in case you is perhaps eligible. If you don’t, you need to contact the DWPearlier than 29 February 2024.

Winter Fuel Payment

You will routinely qualify for this in case you are over the state pension age (66 years previous) and reside within the UK. The low cost grants you between £250 and £600 to assist pay your heating payments. You don’t want to use in case you presently obtain a state pension, or most different advantages. If you don’t, you might want to use.

The low cost cash ought to have routinely entered your account in October or November. If you imagine you’re eligible however haven’t obtained a fee, contact the DWP for additional steerage.

Energy Price Cap: Will it go up or down in 2024?

As of January 1, the Energy Price Cap is about at £1928, up from £1834 on the finish of 2023. Analysts on the trusted Cornwall Insight predict this determine will fall in April to £1,660, and once more in July to £1,590, earlier than rising once more to £1,639.97 within the remaining months of 2024.

The power value cap is the utmost quantity power suppliers can cost you for every unit of power in case you’re on a typical variable tariff. That consists of most households.

The latest decline in costs is reflective of latest drops in wholesale power prices – the quantity power companies pay for their electrical energy and fuel earlier than supplying it to households. Although it’s a vital slide from the record-high charges of the final two years, the determine stays nearly £1,000 a yr above pre-pandemic ranges.

JRF senior economist Rachelle Earwaker says: “Anyone who needs to use their heating to stave off freezing temperatures this week [January 17] can expect to pay over 80% more than what they did three years ago.

“Price rises have outstripped increases in benefits which won’t increase again until April, and, even then, won’t make up the difference.”

Are advantages and pensions going up in 2024?

Benefits and state pension are set to extend in April 2024.

In his autumn assertion, Jeremy Hunt that advantages are going to be elevated by the September fee of inflation of 6.7 per cent. He additionally introduced that state pensions will likely be elevated by 8.5 per cent across the similar time.

However, the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has warned that failure to lift the advantages cap will push extra individuals past its threshold, that means a real-terms minimize for many.

Have you been affected by the inflation enhance or have a narrative to share about your expertise in the course of the cost of living disaster? Get in contact by way of electronic mail: albert.toth@unbiased.co.uk