Payments you can expect in February, from cost-of-living support to state benefits

The DWP has a range of payments and benefits to help Brits this February as people across the country struggle to make ends meet.

It will provide some consolation for low-earners as energy and food prices remain high due to the war in Ukraine and the UK rate of inflation currently standing at 10.5 per cent. We take a look at all the payments on offer to help low-income households, the vulnerable and people who are just struggling to get by.

State benefits and pensions

These ongoing payments will go out directly as usual this February for those who are eligible:

• Universal Credit
• State Pension
• Pension Credit
• Disability Living Allowance
• Personal Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Employment Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Jobseeker’s Allowance

For more information on how and when state benefits are paid, go to the government’s website. In addition to this, some cost of living support payments announced last year are still active, as per The Independent.

Read more:

⋙ Thousands will be entitled to £10K if major rule change is confirmed with DWP support payment

Cold Weather Payment scheme

The Cold Weather Payment scheme started back in November and will continue until March 31. Those eligible will receive £25 for each seven-day period when temperatures drop below freezing in their area. However, you are not entitled to a Cold Weather Payment if you claim one of the following benefits:

• Income Support - (pensioner or disability premium, a child who is disabled, Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or a child under five living with you)
• Pension Credit
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest

Energy discount payment

The Energy Bills Supports Scheme provides a £67 discount on monthly energy bills. You can get up to a £400 discount to help with energy bills over the winter and the money does not have to be paid back.

The discount is automatic and all households with a domestic electricity connection in England are eligible. You will still get the discount if:

• your supplier goes bust
• you switch electricity supplier or move homes
• you change your payment method or tariff
• you're in arrears on your electricity bill payments

Payments will continue until the end of March so you will receive £67 in February and in March, but from April you will have to pay the full amount for your energy bill, as per Coventry Live.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

The Warm Home Discount Scheme gives a one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill for winter 2022/2023 between October 2022 and March 2023.

It may also be possible to get the discount off your gas bill instead if your supplier provides both your gas and electricity. The discount doesn't affect your Winter Fuel Payment or Cold Weather Payment, so contact your supplier to find out more information.

If you live in England and Wales, you can qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you:

• get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
• are on a low income and have high energy costs

Those on pay-as-you-go or a pre-pay electricity meter will need to contact their suppliers who can tell them how to get the discount if they're eligible, i.e. a voucher you use to top up the meter.

It’s also worth noting that the DWP has announced that millions of households on low incomes will receive a further cost of living payment of up to £1,350 in the spring.

Read more:

⋙ Thousands may have received incorrect benefit payments from the government, find out if you are affected

⋙ Thousands of Brits will get £500 in cost-of-living payments soon, check if you're eligible

Sources used:

- The Independent 'All of the benefits, pensions and cost of living payments going out in February'

- Coventry Live 'Full list of DWP payments being handed out in February'