Wrexham residents to receive disability cost of living payment

The payment is part of a government package to help with the cost-living-crisis.

The Department of Work and Pensions estimates more than 17,000 people in Wrexham will recieve the payment. 

8,600 of those individuals will be in Wrexham and 8,500 in Clwyd South can expect the payment from this week.

The Government are saying that the vast majority of those eligible will have received it by the start of October and those who already receive a qualifying disability benefit will be paid automatically.

READ MORE: 

• Wrexham disability charity fears for families at "breaking point" in Cost of Living Crisis
• All the government support for energy bills as cost of living continues to soar

The payment comes in addition to a plan announced by Prime Minister Liz Truss on September 8 to freeze energy bills at £2,500 for the next two years.

Despite this, some have called for more support, including disability charity Scope, who said the £150 payment "won't touch the sides" for many living with disabilities.

The charity’s director of strategy, James Taylor, said they had been “inundated” with calls from disabled people wondering how to keep warm this winter, even with the new price freeze.

READ MORE: 'Check on your elderly neighbours' - The call on residents ahead of worrying winter

He warned the soaring cost of energy could have a "devastating impact" on the health of people with disabilities if they are forced to keep the heating off.

This week’s payment is separate to the £650 cost-of-living payment, the first instalment of which landed over the summer.

The Government said in July that 9,600 were eligible for that payment in Wrexham and 9,400 were eligible in Clwyd South, including those on Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, and those receiving child tax credits.

Those eligible for the payment include people who on May 25 were receiving the disability living allowance, personal independence payment, attendance allowance, armed forces independence payment, constant attendance allowance, or the war pension mobility supplement.

People are also being urged to be alert to scammers targeting those expecting cost-of-living payments.

READ MORE: How much average wages in Flintshire and Wrexham have increased amid soaring cost of living

Payments will be automatic, so people should watch out for texts and emails from fraudsters asking for their personal details.

Work and Pensions Secretary Chloe Smith said: "We know disabled people face additional costs, and this government is listening and taking decisive action to protect the most vulnerable in our society.

"This multi-billion-pound package of support reinforces our commitment to help UK households, particularly those with disability challenges, through the tough times ahead."