Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that people who are on Contributions Based ESA and are not eligible for the Cost of Living Payment are being supported in the context of increased costs of living.

Non-means tested benefits are not eligible benefits for the Cost of Living Payment in their own right because people receiving these benefits may have other financial resources available to them. Many will also have been in receipt of an eligible means tested benefit on the qualifying date for the £326 Cost of Living Payment.

Individuals who do not qualify for a Cost-of-living Payment, may

• benefit from of the wider support package, including the £400 rebate for domestic electricity customers provided through the Energy Bills Support Scheme and the £150 rebate for Council Tax Band A to D households in England.

• The Government is providing a further £500m towards the cost of essentials bringing total funding via the fund to £1.5bn. In England, £421m will be used to further extend the Household Support Fund (October 2022 – March 2023). Guidance and individual local authority indicative allocations for the further extension will be announced in due course.

In addition, Personal Independence Payment is available to help with the extra costs faced by people with a long-term health condition or disability. Disability benefits can provide a gateway or passport to a wide range of additional support or help.