MORE than 36,000 households in Barnsley should now have received a cost-of-living payment from the government, new figures have revealed.
Department for Work and Pensions figures show around 36,500 households in Barnsley are eligible to receive up to £900 in cost-of-living payments.
They are among more than eight million households across the UK who will receive the support.
Estimates have been rounded to the nearest 100 households.
The first of three instalments - worth £301 - was due to be made between April 25 and May 17 and should appear directly in people’s bank accounts.
Anyone who received Universal Credit, income-based jobseekers allowance, income support or child tax credit between January 26 and February 25 is eligible for the support.
However, with consumer price index inflation currently at 10.1 per cent and remaining high, charities have warned some people will fall between the cracks as they deal with rising prices.
Lalitha Try, economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: “The government’s cost-of-living payments will provide much-needed support for over eight million UK households, and are rightly targeted at many of those who will need the most help.
“However, many families who are urgently in need of help will still fall through the cracks - such as those who are on a low income, but not receiving benefits.”
Alongside the support payments is a £150 disability payment, which will be paid out to 6.7 million individuals across the UK this summer - approximately 35,300 of these are based in Barnsley.
A further £300 is due for pensioners in receipt of winter fuel payments later this year.
Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said the government continues ‘to wrap our arms around the most vulnerable’.
Ms Stride added that work is ‘the best route out of poverty’, highlighting the work coach support scheme to help people boost their skills and progress in their careers.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: “I know that times are tough, which is why a key focus of the Spring Budget was supporting people with the cost of living and helping people into well-paid work.”
Recent figures highlighted by the Chronicle show that workers in Barnsley are more than £100 poorer a month compared to previous years - with even more residents now expected to be unable eat, heat their homes and keep clean.
A report revealed that in Barnsley - where poverty was already increasing before the Covid-19 pandemic - has been disproportionately affected in compared to other areas across the country.
The report said: “As inflation exceeds increases in wages, many individuals are seeing their household income reducing.
“In October 2022, Barnsley’s inflation rate was 11.9 per cent, however wages increased by only 0.8 per cent between January and July 2022.
“This means that workers living in Barnsley are on average £101 a month poorer compared to the previous year, whilst spending on essentials has increased.”
