Another Cost of Living payment of £150 will be made during June and July, if you receive certain disability benefits. Read on to find out more.
Articles in Cost of Living
Articles in Cost of Living
- Cost Of Living Payments – June & July 2023
- Card Only Payments May Discriminate Against Disabled People
- Cold Weather Warning – January 2023
- Second Cold Weather Payment In Buckinghamshire
- Cold Weather Payments in Buckinghamshire
- The Warm Home Discount Scheme
- Cost of Living Payments from April 2023
- Cost Of Living Winter Payment
- Information About The Government Energy Bills Support Scheme
- Bird Flu
- BucksWorkability
- BuDDies
- Card Only Payments
- Comms and Social Media
- Covid-19
- Enquiries
- Fair4All Attitudes and Hate Crimes
- Fair4All Card
- Fair4All Education
- Fair4All Events
- Fair4All Public Spaces
- Fair4All Services
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- Neurodiversity and Learning Disability
- Offers and Discounts
- Reach4Work
Card Only Payments May Discriminate Against Disabled People
Since the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic, many shops, services, and businesses have started accepting only debit or credit card payments. This was originally done to reduce the small risk of passing on the virus by handling coins and notes.
However, many businesses quickly realised that not accepting cash has other advantages for them, such as cutting staff time, reducing theft risks, and reducing bank charges. For this reason, many shops and businesses have decided to stay ‘card only’ and not accept cash payments.
However, only accepting card payments may be discriminating against some disabled people who are unable to use cards because of their disability.
Read MoreCold Weather Warning – January 2023
Buckinghamshire, like the rest of the UK, is entering another cold spell.
The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) – the organisation responsible for looking after Public Health in England – issued a level 3 Cold Alert on Monday. This means that severe winter weather is now occurring, defined as a mean temperature of 2°C or less and/or widespread ice or heavy snow.
Read MoreSecond Cold Weather Payment In Buckinghamshire
A second cold weather payment was triggered this week in Buckinghamshire, covering the period between Monday 12th December and Sunday 18th December. This is an additional £25 on top of the existing cold weather payment, triggered in Buckinghamshire on Sunday 18th December. This is because the cold weather is expected to last for the rest of this week.
BuDS strongly recommends that disabled people keep their heating on and stay as warm as possible. Cold weather payments are intended to help you pay the cost of the extra heating that may be needed to stay warm in freezing weather.
It is recommended by the Energy Saving Trust that you set your thermostat at the lowest comfortable setting for you, which should be between 18°C and 21°C. The best temperature will depend on your overall health and your individual circumstances. It is essential that you stay warm in this cold winter weather. Remember that if you have to go outside, it is very likely to be icy which increases your risk of falling.
Read MoreCold Weather Payments in Buckinghamshire
A cold weather payment has been triggered in Buckinghamshire today, Sunday 11th December 2022, for the period between Monday 5th December and Sunday 11th December.
A cold weather payment is made if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecasted to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. You will receive £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1st November and 31st March.
To check whether your postcode is eligible for a cold weather payment, please type your postcode into the DWP’S, Cold Weather Payment Checker https://coldweatherpayments.dwp.gov.uk/search.php
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The Warm Home Discount Scheme
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off deduction of £150 from your electricity bill, under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money will NOT be paid to you – it is a one-off discount on your electricity bill between October 2022 and March 2023.
You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity, and you are eligible.The discount will not affect any Cold Weather Payments or Winter Fuel Payments that your household may also be eligible for.
Read on for more.
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Cost of Living Payments from April 2023
The Autumn Statement earlier this month confirmed that, from April 2023, millions of people receiving benefits, pensioners, and others will be able to receive payments to help them through the ongoing cost of living crisis. Read on for more.
Read MoreCost Of Living Winter Payment
The second cost of living payment from the DWP is due in November 2022. However, there has been a lot of speculation from the media and online about the exact dates, which has caused a lot of confusion for many disabled people. The BuDS Cost of Living project team have worked through the data to get a clear picture of what is happening. Read on for more.
Read MoreInformation About The Government Energy Bills Support Scheme
The Government announced earlier this year that, as part of their efforts to combat the Cost of Living crisis, all households will receive £400 off their energy bills this winter. This discount will be applied across a 6-month period, starting in October 2022. This does not need to be paid back to the Government and should be considered similar to a grant. Read on for more.
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