People in Gedling borough on means-tested benefits will soon be receiving their final cost-of-living payment to help with bills.
The £299 payment will go directly into bank accounts of those eligible before February 22nd.
Those who are eligible will not need to claim as the payment is automatic.
This payment of £299 is the last of three instalments that totalled £900 that will have been paid within a year.
After this final instalment, no further cost-of-living payments are currently scheduled, with some pressure on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to announce more support in next month’s Budget.
Morgan Wild, of Citizens Advice, has called for more action following the final payment.
“Our data shows that the cost-of-living payments do offer some respite to people, but this is short lived. Historically high energy bills, unaffordable housing and other spiralling costs are keeping people in crisis.
“The government has responded with temporary support but we need more than quick fixes. Long-term commitments are needed to raise people’s incomes and standard of living.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride defended the move.
He said: ”The economy has turned a corner, and with inflation falling we are providing millions of the most vulnerable households with another significant cash boost.”
The government has pointed to a 6.7% rise in benefits and an 8.5% rise in the state pension, as well as an increase in the financial support provided to those on benefits who rent privately, which all come into effect in April.
A committee of MPs recently questioned whether the payments were sufficient to help those in financial difficulty owing to high bills and prices.
In November, a report by the Work and Pensions Committee said the money only provided a temporary reprieve for some, and may have been better used for increasing benefits instead.
