One-off payments for families, disabled people and pensioners due by New Year

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Millions of people over State Pension age had been hoping for a U-turn on the UK Government’s decision to change the eligibility rules for Winter Fuel Payments during the Autumn Budget.

Despite fierce campaigning by charities, unions, organisations and Martin Lewis, 10 million pensioners will not receive up to £300 this winter to help with higher heating costs.However, there are a series of one-off payments due before the New Year for households of all types and sizes - individuals, families, pensioners and disabled people.

Some of the payments listed below are only available in Scotland and a few are means-tested, but it’s important to be aware that the Scottish Government received £41 million to boost the devolved equivalent of the Household Support Fund, so if you are in or out of work and struggling financially, contact your local council and explain your situation - find out more here.There are six, separate one-off payments being issued to to families, disabled people or those over State Pension age before the end of this year.

Most of these lump sums are designed to help with higher heating bills, but there’s also a ‘bonus’ for millions of benefit claimants and an extra payment for unpaid carers.The Scottish Government has also adopted the eligibility rule change for its new replacement benefit for Winter Fuel Payments - Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.