Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to amend the eligibility criteria for Cost of Living Payments so that people on (a) Housing Benefit and (b) Council Tax Reduction qualify.

There are currently no plans to amend eligibility criteria for Cost of Living Payments. Housing Benefit is not an income-replacement benefit; it is intended to cover only housing costs. Therefore, Housing Benefit is not a qualifying means-tested benefit for the Cost of Living Payment. Those with the lowest incomes may also be in receipt of a qualifying means-tested benefit alongside Housing Benefit to cover their other living costs, which could make them eligible for a Cost of Living Payment.

Eligibility for Council Tax Reduction is determined by local councils and is not a national policy. The eligibility for this support is dependent on a number of factors including where you live and your household income. Low-income households may also be in receipt of a qualifying, income-related means-tested benefit alongside Council Tax Reduction, which could make them eligible for a Cost of Living Payment.

Independent, free and anonymous benefit calculators are available here and can help individuals to see which benefits they may be entitled to.

For those who require additional support the Government is providing an additional £1 billion of funding, including Barnett impact, to enable a further extension to the Household Support Fund in England. In England, this will run from 1 April to 31 March 2024, backed by £842m.