DWP Benefit Update

The Government is increasing benefits in line with inflation by 10.1%. Working age families will see their benefit payments rise from April 2023. The Government is also providing support this winter for people who need help now, including money off energy bills and Cost of Living Payments.

Pensioners in Great Britain will benefit from a 10.1% increase to their State Pension in April 2023.  A full basic State Pension will increase from £141.85 to £156.20 each  week, and the new State Pension will increase from £185.15 to £203.85. Pension Credits will also increase by 10.1% in April 2023.

UK households on means-tested benefits will receive an additional Cost of Living Payment of £900 in 2023-24. This will be made in more than one instalment.

People across the UK on non-means-tested disability benefits will receive a further £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment in 2023-24, to help with the additional costs they face. This is in addition to the Cost-of-Living Payments for households on means-tested benefits and pensioner households, if eligible.

Pensioner households across the UK will receive an additional £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment in 2023-24 to help with bills. This is in addition to means-tested benefits and disability payments, if eligible.

In April next year the benefit cap will also increase by 10.1%.

We will keep you updated with additional information as it is announced.

Recoverable Hardship Payments
 
If you have applied to the DWP to stop your Recoverable Hardship Payment (RHP) payments and they refused, you can now re-apply to have this decision assessed. 
 
Recoverable Hardship Payments give money to people who have seen their benefits reduced by sanctions or a fraud penalty. You must apply for them with evidence of need, and each request is reviewed individually. You can request for the recovery of these payments to be waived (stopped), and must provide evidence to show that paying back the money is either unaffordable or would affect you or your family’s health or wellbeing. 
 
An exercise has been started to look at previous waiver requests that took place prior to 11 January 2021. A guidance page on GOV.UK explains the process and asks claimants to share evidence if they feel their RHP should be waived. Applications can only be considered if a request was made to waive the RHP between 1 January 2014 and 11 January 2021 and was refused at the time. 
 
Applications will open on 19 December 2022.