DWP benefit and money changes expected in November - including £200 payouts
by Kathryn Riddell, Kieran Isgin · ChronicleLiveA raft of financial changes are looming next month that could affect households across the UK.
Some tweaks will directly impact pensioners seeking extra financial aid during the winter months, while other changes could impact across the population.
As winter ushers in higher energy bills for many, there's likely to be a keen interest in securing as much help as possible. Fortunately, depending on your location, you could bag up to £200 in cash.
Read on for a detailed rundown of the significant money changes in November 2024.
Household Support Fund
The Household Support Fund, valued at up to £200, could offer additional financial assistance to low-income families throughout November via cash distributed by their local council. Each council has the ability to decide how they wish to distribute their portion of the Household Support Fund, with some choosing outright cash payments and others offering support through vouchers or other methods.
For example, Birmingham's council is providing a £200 Household Support Fund to residents, with cash grants being directly deposited into their bank accounts. Similarly, Nottinghamshire Council is also offering one-off payments of £200 to tens of thousands of households, reports the Mirror.
To check if you're eligible for help, contact your local council.
Autumn Budget
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is gearing up for her first Autumn Budget at the end of October, with the nation's trepidation mounting over an intimidating £22 billion "black hole" in the UK's finances. As officials tussle with the vast shortfall, there's a buzz about "hard but fair" economic decisions looming over the public, hinting at tightening belts across Britain.
While the specifics are yet to unfold, anticipations are high that policy changes might be announced as soon as November.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, facing questions about potential alterations in taxation, committed: "We are going to keep our manifesto pledges."
He added: "I'm not going to pre-empt the individual measures that will be outlined by the Chancellor in due course."
Winter Fuel Payment
The upcoming Winter Fuel Payment changes signal a critical time for roughly 13.7 million people who can expect to receive important details via post before the month of November is out. This campaign will urge pensioners to check their Pension Credit entitlement—a crucial benefit boosting incomes.
Administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the Winter Fuel Payment is indispensable for older citizens to effectively manage heating costs in colder seasons. There are concerns however that some may find themselves left out in the cold due to possible restrictions on the scheme's eligibility.
To be eligible, you must meet certain criteria including being born on or before September 23, 1958, living in England or Wales, and meeting specific claim requirements. Additionally, you should have received one of the benefits during the qualifying week from September 16 to 22, 2024.
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