Help for households during Cost of Living crisis

As part of the government’s strategy to help UK households during the current costof-living crisis, most people who qualify for help will have received their first payments automatically by now. If you were eligible, you’ll have been paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits. This includes if you’re found to be eligible for a Cost of Living Payment or a Disability Cost of Living Payment at a later date.

You could get up to 3 different types of payment depending on your circumstances on a particular date or during a particular period:

• a Cost of Living Payment, if you were getting a qualifying low income benefit or tax credits

• a Disability Cost of Living Payment, if you were getting a qualifying disability benefit

• a Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, if you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023

These payments are not taxable and will not affect the benefits or tax credits you get.

Low income benefits and tax credits

You may get a payment of £650 paid in 2 lump sums of £326 and £324 if you were getting payments of any of the following:

• Universal Credit • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) •

The payment will be made separately from your benefit.

For more information on cost of living payments visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

Further guidance will be published when more details have been announced, including the qualifying dates.

Seafront locations available exclusively for new business startups

Applications invited by BCP council

Cost of Living Payments 2023 to 2024

The government has announced when further Cost of Living Payments will be made between spring 2023 and spring 2024. These payments are:

• £301 for people on an eligible low income benefit, to be paid during spring 2023

• £150 for people on an eligible disability benefit, to be paid during summer 2023

• £300 for people on an eligible low income benefit, to be paid during autumn 2023

• £300 for pensioner households, to be paid during winter 2023 to 2024

• £299 for people on an eligible low income benefit, to be paid in spring 2024

Further guidance will be published when more details have been announced, including the qualifying dates.

Energy saving tips

As well as special payments to households hit hardest by the cost of living crisis, the government has published energy saving tips.

For example, did you know that you could save up to £70 per year just by switching appliances off at the socket instead of flicking them to standby?

More energy saving tips can be found here: www.helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/energysaving-advice/

COVID-19 vaccinations in Dorset pass the two million mark

The Seafront Box Park Boscombe is a £140,000 Development funded by the Towns Fund and due for completion in March 2023. The park features three 40 feet converted shipping containers available exclusively to start-up BCP based businesses on a one-year lease. Each container is complete with insulation, laminate flooring, electrics, water outlet, blinds and Bifold doors that open directly out on to our award-winning seafront.

BCP council are looking for applications from start-up businesses or people have an idea for one. Contact seafrontprojects@bcpcouncil.gov.uk for more information and a short expression of interest application.

Since the first COVID-19 vaccine was administered back in December 2020 more than two million doses have now been delivered in Dorset according to Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust.

Around 80% of the population have had primary doses of the vaccine, with more than 300,000 eligible people taking up the most recent seasonal booster. The jab was provided at a range of locations across the county including pharmacies, GP practices, community ‘pop-up’ clinics and vaccination centres.