Spring is officially here, but we’re waiting for warmer weather and with some cost of living payments due to stop, paying the bills is still going to be a struggle for many.
To try and ease the burden, the government announced some cost of living support schemes last May, aimed at helping people across the UK.
But now some of these schemes are set to end.
So which DWP cost of living payments will end in March, and how might this affect you?
Here’s what you need to know.
Which DWP cost of living schemes are ending?
Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off discount of £150 off electricity bills. It was automatically awarded to people in England and Wales on a low income with high energy costs, or who received the Guarantee Credit element of pension credit.
In Scotland, the payment was made to the same groups – but those on a low income had to meet their energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme.
It began in October 2022 and the scheme ends at the end of March, 2023.
Cold Weather Payment
The Cold Weather Payment is essentially a £25 benefit.
It’s made for every seven consecutive days when the average temperature in your area is recorded or forecast to be 0°C or below.
So far, during winter 2023, some areas have seen this happen three times – so are due £75.
The payment is made automatically to people on certain eligible benefits and in particular circumstances in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It ends on March 31 – but is expected to return next winter.
You can check your postcode to see if your area is due a cold weather payment.
Energy Bills Support Scheme
The Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) gave around 29 million households £400 off their energy bills – that’s every home with a domestic electricity connection.
From October 2022, a discount of £66 was applied to monthly energy bills, rising to £67 a month from December through to March 2023 – when the scheme ends.
First appear at All DWP cost of living payments ending in March 2023 – from warm home discount to cold weather payment
