Benefits news in 2022
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- December 2022
£400 energy bill support paid to households
£400 was taken off energy bills for almost all UK households, with payments made through suppliers from October 2022, though some households were excluded from the scheme.
Scottish Child Payment to be fully introduced by the end of 2022
The Scottish Government has committed to pay £10 a week for every eligible child under 16 by the end of 2022, after early introduction for under sixes from early 2021.
- November 2022
Auto-award of Early Learning and School Age Payments begins
Social Security Scotland began on 28 November 2022 paying Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment automatically to eligible families already receiving Scottish Child Payment.
Autumn Statement sets benefits uprating at 10.1% and raises benefit cap
The Autumn Statement uprated most benefits by September's 10.1% CPI from April 2023, raised the benefit cap for the first time since 2016 and extended cost of living payments and energy support.
Chancellor announces second round of Cost of Living Payments
The Chancellor announced on 17 November 2022 a second round of means-tested Cost of Living Payments worth up to £900, paid in three instalments across 2023 and into spring 2024.
New housing element of Pension Credit postponed to 2028
The government has postponed the new housing element of Pension Credit until 2028, meaning pensioners who rent will keep receiving Housing Benefit in the meantime.
irESA migration to Universal Credit delayed until April 2028
The Department for Work and Pensions has delayed managed migration to Universal Credit for most people claiming income-related Employment and Support Allowance until April 2028, while some claimants move sooner.
Automatic payments introduced for Best Start Grant Early Learning and School Age Payments
Social Security Scotland now checks and pays Best Start Grant Early Learning and School Age Payments automatically for families getting Scottish Child Payment whose children meet the age conditions.
Scottish Child Payment set at £28.20 per week for children under 16
The Scottish Child Payment was extended to children aged 6 to 15 on 14 November 2022, with the weekly rate set at £28.20 per child under 16 and paid every four weeks.
Remaining provisions of S.S.I. 2022/271 come into force
The remaining provisions of the Council Tax Reduction and Council Tax (Discounts) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (No. 2) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 came into force on 3 November 2022, covering a cost of living payment capital disregard and revocations.
Amendment regulations extend Scottish Child Payment to children aged 6-15
Amendment regulations in force from November 2022 extended the Scottish Child Payment to children aged 6 to 15, and the weekly rate rose to £25 per eligible child.
Autumn Statement announces 2023/24 Cost of Living Payments
The 17 November 2022 Autumn Statement set out Cost of Living Payments for 2023/24, including £900 for people on means-tested benefits, £150 for disability benefit recipients and £300 for pensioners.
Chancellor announced cost of living support package
Jeremy Hunt's 2022 Autumn Statement introduced a package of cost of living support, including three payments worth £900 for means-tested benefit claimants and extra help for pensioners and disabled people.
Energy Bills Support Scheme £400 credit begins in Northern Ireland
Households in Northern Ireland began receiving the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme credit from November 2022, paid automatically through electricity suppliers in six monthly instalments.
Full PIP rollout delayed, pausing managed migration of DLA claimants until April 2028
The November 2022 delay to the full rollout of Personal Independence Payment paused the managed migration of legacy Disability Living Allowance claimants until April 2028, saving £0.8 billion over five years.
Government support packages lift household incomes relative to no-support scenario
The Office for Budget Responsibility says government support announced since March 2022 lifts real household disposable income per person by 4½ per cent in 2022-23, softening the largest fall on record.
Scotland excluded from the scheme
A 2022 order inserted a fifth condition into the cold weather payment rules so that a claimant's home must be in England or Wales, taking Scotland out of the scheme.
Scotland to replace Cold Weather Payments with Low Income Winter Heating Assistance
Scotland is replacing the Cold Weather Payment from the winter of 2022 with a new Low Income Winter Heating Assistance, paying £50 to eligible households in February 2023.
Second UK Government Cost of Living Payment made
The second instalment of the 2022 Cost of Living Payment, worth £324, was paid in November 2022 to households on means-tested benefits, completing a £650 total for the year.
Warm Home Discount eligibility changes due to come into force
Changes to the Warm Home Discount due to take effect in November 2022 will remove entitlement from nearly 200,000 disabled people who receive disability benefits but not an income-replacement benefit.
- October 2022
Main £150 cost-of-living payment scheme closes
The Welsh Government's main cost-of-living support scheme closed on 30 October 2022 after paying £146.6m to 977,483 eligible households, according to a Welsh Government paper.
Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Regulations 2022 made, continuing the scheme in Scotland to 31 March 2026
The Warm Home Discount (Scotland) Regulations 2022 were made on 19 October 2022 and came into force the next day, continuing the scheme in Scotland until 31 March 2026.
JRF analysis shows constituencies affected by possible benefit uprating cut
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has published constituency analysis showing which areas would be most affected if the Government does not uprate means tested benefits such as Universal Credit in line with inflation.
Scottish Child Payment to rise to £25 a week and extend to children aged 6 to 15
Scottish ministers have set out regulations to extend Scottish Child Payment to children aged 6 to 15 and raise it to £25 a week for all eligible children, with other changes to Best Start grants and foods.
Energy Bills Support Scheme to provide £200 off energy bills
Every domestic electricity customer in Great Britain will receive a £200 credit on their energy bill from October 2022 under the Energy Bills Support Scheme, with the money recovered through later bill instalments.
Government considering uprating some working-age benefits by earnings rather than inflation for April 2023
The Resolution Foundation reports the Government is considering raising some working-age benefits by average earnings of 5.5 per cent rather than September CPI inflation of around 10.1 per cent next April.
Government energy bills support scheme launched at the beginning of October 2022
The government energy bills support scheme began in October 2022, and StepChange recorded a 34% rise in visits to its page on government help with gas and electricity bills between September and October.
Warm Home Discount to rise to £150 in England and Wales
The Warm Home Discount will be worth £150 in England and Wales from October 2022, with a Scottish consultation proposing the same rate and 50,000 more eligible households.
- September 2022
BEIS announces £100 alternative fuels payment and EBSS extension
The UK government set out further detail on the Energy Price Guarantee on 21 September 2022, including a £100 payment for some off-gas-grid households and an extension of the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme discount.
PIP award extension period increased
From 6 September 2022, existing Personal Independence Payment awards waiting for review have their automatic extension period raised from three months to twelve months.
First tax credits Cost of Living instalment paid
The first instalment of the £650 Cost of Living Payment for households on Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit was paid in September 2022, with a second instalment due at the end of November.
Impossible choices briefing published
The Money Advice Trust has published a briefing calling on the Government and regulators to uprate benefits, support people in arrears and introduce a social tariff for energy.
Managed migration to Universal Credit begins without full trial
The Trades Union Congress says managed migration to Universal Credit has begun without a full trial or evaluation, in a report calling for the benefit to be replaced.
Scottish Government launches cost of living support website
The Scottish Government launched a dedicated website in September 2022 setting out help available to the public during the cost of living crisis, Consumer Scotland's energy affordability tracker reports.
Welsh Government Fuel Support Scheme 2022-23 launches with wider eligibility
The Welsh Government's Fuel Support Scheme opened on 26 September 2022 with wider eligibility, part of £1.6 billion of support, as its own paper set out fuel poverty and debt pressures in Wales.
- August 2022
Government announces Warm Home Discount eligibility changes removing disabled people
The government announced in August 2022 that disabled people claiming only disability benefits, without an income-replacement benefit, would lose Warm Home Discount eligibility from November 2022.
- July 2022
Adult Disability Payment extended to the whole of Scotland
Adult Disability Payment, Scotland's replacement for Personal Independence Payment, opened to new applicants across all of Scotland on 29 August 2022 after a phased rollout from March 2022.
Pilot expands to seven further council areas
Adult Disability Payment, Scotland's replacement for Personal Independence Payment and Disability Living Allowance for adults, expanded its pilot to seven further council areas on 25 July 2022.
Regulation 6A inserted restricting claims for housing benefit, income support or a tax credit
Regulations laid before Parliament in July 2022 inserted regulation 6A into the Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2014, barring most new claims for housing benefit, income support and tax credits.
First £326 cost of living payments begin
The first £326 cost of living support payments were issued from 14 July 2022 to households receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit, income-related ESA, income-based JSA and Income Support.
First cost of living payment instalment transferred from 14 July 2022
The first instalment of the £650 cost of living payment for low-income households began transferring on 14 July 2022, with a second payment due in the autumn.
NAO report confirms DWP machine learning trial for Universal Credit fraud detection
The National Audit Office report on the DWP's 2021-22 accounts confirms a machine learning trial to detect fraud in Universal Credit claims, with payments potentially stopped before they are made.
Warm Home Discount (England and Wales) Regulations 2022 come into force
The Warm Home Discount (England and Wales) Regulations 2022 came into force on 7 July 2022, continuing the fuel poverty rebate scheme in England and Wales and setting a £150 prescribed rebate.
Secretary of State confirms managed migration will resume without amendment to draft regulations
Therese Coffey has confirmed Universal Credit managed migration will resume without changes to draft regulations, with the move from legacy benefits to be completed by 2024.
First UK Government Cost of Living Payment made
The UK Government made the first Cost of Living Payment of £326 in July 2022 to people on means tested benefits owing to low income, with a second payment of £324 following in November 2022.
First means-tested Cost of Living Payment of £326 made
The first instalment of the 2022 means-tested Cost of Living Payment, £326, was paid in July 2022 to households entitled to a qualifying benefit in a six-week qualifying window.
Fit notes can be issued by more healthcare professionals
From 1 July 2022 fit notes supporting a New Style Employment and Support Allowance claim can be issued by a wider range of healthcare professionals, not only a GP or hospital doctor.
- June 2022
Case transfers from Personal Independence Payment to Adult Disability Payment began
People in Scotland receiving Personal Independence Payment began to have their awards transferred to Adult Disability Payment from 13 June 2022, as part of the phased replacement of the UK benefit.
- May 2022
Chancellor announces cost of living payments for benefit claimants
The Chancellor announced a £15 billion cost of living support package on 26 May 2022, including a one-off £650 payment to more than eight million low-income households on means-tested benefits.
BEIS consultation opened on expanding Warm Home Discount in Scotland
BEIS has opened a consultation on expanding the Warm Home Discount in Scotland to 50,000 more households, raising it from £140 to £150 and extending it to 2026.
Universal Credit managed migration restarts
Managed migration to Universal Credit restarted on 9 May 2022 after a pause, beginning with pilots in Medway and Bolton before expanding to further areas later in the year.
Guidance updated with rates effective from 11 April 2022
The Department for Work and Pensions has updated its Pension Credit technical guidance with the latest benefit rates, effective from 11 April 2022, in a change recorded on 6 May 2022.
Chancellor stated benefits would be uprated by September's CPI
In May 2022 the Chancellor said working-age benefits would be uprated by that September's CPI, a commitment later examined against proposals to raise some benefits by earnings instead.
DWP deploys machine learning model for UC advances
The Department for Work and Pensions began using a machine learning model in May 2022 to flag potentially fraudulent claims for Universal Credit advances, according to the National Audit Office.
Government announces substantial cost of living support package
The government added a substantial package of cost of living support in May 2022, including targeted payments through the benefits system and covering people on legacy benefits.
SSAC publishes formal reference report on Universal Credit managed migration regulations
The Social Security Advisory Committee has published a formal reference report on the Universal Credit managed migration regulations, making 11 recommendations on oversight and governance to safeguard claimants.
Work and Pensions Select Committee holds one-off session on UC Managed Migration
The Work and Pensions Select Committee held a one-off session in May 2022 on Universal Credit managed migration, raising concerns about the three-month migration notice period.
- April 2022
DWP stops fuel deductions from benefits
The Department for Work and Pensions stopped taking deductions from benefits for ongoing fuel consumption on 26 April 2022, with an exception where a claimant requests one.
Guidance updated with rates effective from 11 April 2022
Government guidance on the new State Pension and New Style Employment and Support Allowance was updated with benefit rates effective from 11 April 2022, part of the annual uprating of benefit amounts.
Post Office Card Account access to benefits payments ends
From 5 April 2022 people receiving tax credits, child benefit and other statutory payments could no longer collect them through the Post Office, after the DWP contract with Post Office Limited ended.
Amendments to Best Start Grant, Best Start Foods and Scottish Child Payment regulations laid
Scottish ministers have laid amending regulations changing child responsibility, kinship carer definitions, automatic awards and payment timing across Best Start Grant, Best Start Foods and Scottish Child Payment.
Around 210,000 disability benefit claimants set to lose Warm Home Discount
Around 210,000 people claiming disability benefits are set to lose the Warm Home Discount under changes to the scheme, Fair By Design says, as the rebate rises from £140 to £150.
Basic rate of statutory maternity and parental pay set at £156.66 per week from April 2022
The basic rate of statutory maternity and parental pay stands at £156.66 a week from April 2022, equal to 47% of the National Living Wage for a 35-hour week, according to a maternity charity survey.
Benefits uprated by 3.1% while inflation stood at 9%
Most working-age benefits and the State Pension rose by 3.1 per cent in April 2022, based on September 2021 inflation, while the cost of living was already rising far faster.
Benefits to be uprated by September 2021 inflation in April 2022
Benefits including Universal Credit were uprated in April 2022 by September 2021's inflation rate, a figure likely to sit below the inflation households faced over the winter.
Cold weather payments responsibility transferred to the Scottish Government
Responsibility for cold weather payments in Scotland moved to the Scottish Government at the start of 2022-23, the Office for Budget Responsibility has confirmed in its latest welfare report.
DWP launches ongoing Pension Credit awareness campaign
The Department for Work and Pensions ran an ongoing Pension Credit awareness campaign from April 2022, with increased advertising, as later figures showed take-up falling and unclaimed amounts rising.
DWP publishes Completing the Move to UC policy document
DWP statistics published in February 2026 show 2.35 million people in 1.82 million households were sent migration notices moving them from legacy benefits to Universal Credit between July 2022 and December 2025.
DWP requires consent for new or increased Fuel Direct deductions for ongoing energy costs
From 1 April 2022 the Department for Work and Pensions will only agree to new or increased deductions for ongoing energy costs from benefits where the customer gives consent.
ECO4 scheme starts with changes to benefit eligibility
The fourth phase of the Energy Company Obligation begins on 1 April 2022, removing several disability benefits from automatic eligibility and requiring claimants to receive another qualifying benefit.
Energy bills support scheme announced
The UK government announced the Energy Bills Support Scheme in April 2022, a £400 payment to eligible households, alongside a separate guarantee that fixed the Ofgem price cap.
Face-to-face support for initial Universal Credit claims ended
Face-to-face support for the initial Universal Credit claim ended in April 2022, the TUC has said, as part of a submission warning that benefit levels remain inadequate.
Fuel Direct scheme paused
The Fuel Direct scheme, which allowed energy and water bills to be paid directly from benefits, was paused in April 2022, so suppliers can no longer approach the Jobcentre Plus to arrange payments.
UK Government announced energy support package for almost all GB households
The UK government announced a support package in April 2022 for almost all households in Great Britain, including the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme and a guarantee capping the unit price for a typical bill.
Government announced Warm Home Discount changes for the UK
The government has announced changes to the Warm Home Discount that will extend eligibility to 750,000 more households, including people receiving housing benefit, and has opened a consultation on the scheme in Scotland.
Government responds to Warm Home Discount consultation with expanded scheme
The government has published its response to the Warm Home Discount consultation, extending the scheme, raising the rebate to £150 and lowering supplier thresholds, though disability benefit claimants are set to lose out.
Pension credit rates to rise from April 2022
Pension Credit rates rise from April 2022, with guarantee credit up to £182.60 a week for a single person and £278.70 for a couple, as official figures show £1.7 billion went unclaimed.
Scottish low income benefits uprated by 6% in April 2022
Scottish low income benefits rose by 6% in April 2022 while most reserved benefits rose by 3.1%, a gap the Scottish government later cited in its analysis of the cost of living crisis.
Universal Credit and benefits due to rise by 3.1% in April
Benefits including Universal Credit are due to rise by 3.1 per cent in April 2022, a figure the charity Gingerbread says should be 6 per cent to match projected inflation.
Warm Homes Discount extended and Energy Company Obligation funding confirmed
The government has extended the Warm Homes Discount to 2025/2026 and confirmed £1 billion a year for the Energy Company Obligation until 2026, alongside energy bill support worth over £9.1 billion.
- March 2022
English councils' Household Support Fund schemes close
English councils' Household Support Fund schemes closed on 31 March 2022, the same day the fund was reported to have been extended in England to March 2023.
Transitional protection for free school meals in England ended
Transitional protection that kept free school meals for some pupils in England after their households stopped qualifying has ended, with eligibility now based on receiving an eligible benefit.
Remaining universal credit provisions brought into force
The remaining provisions of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and the equivalent Northern Ireland Order were brought into force on 30 March 2022, completing the statutory framework for universal credit.
Disability Assistance for Working Age People (Scotland) Regulations 2022 come into force
Regulations establishing Adult Disability Payment for working age people in Scotland came into force on 21 March 2022, setting out eligibility rules, components and rates for the devolved benefit.
Right to claim PIP extinguished for most people in Scotland as adult disability payment launches
From 21 March 2022 most people in Scotland aged 16 or over who can apply for adult disability payment can no longer claim personal independence payment, under regulations phasing the change in by area.
DWP report shows £1.7 billion of pension credit went unclaimed in 2019/20
Department for Work and Pensions figures show £1.7 billion of pension credit went unclaimed in 2019/20, with as many as 850,000 families missing out on the benefit.
National Audit Office publishes report on the Child Maintenance Service
The National Audit Office has published a report finding fundamental flaws in the Child Maintenance Service, with arrears projected to reach £1bn by 2031 and enforcement delays leaving parents owed money.
Adult Disability Payment first introduced in Scotland
Adult Disability Payment began a pilot in Scotland in March 2022, replacing Personal Independence Payment and Disability Living Allowance for claimants aged 16 to State Pension age, ahead of full roll-out.
DWP plans to drop the 10,000-case limit and press ahead with managed migration through a "Discovery Phase"
The Social Security Advisory Committee has published minutes and correspondence showing it opposed dropping the 10,000-case limit on Universal Credit managed migration, as DWP pressed ahead with a "Discovery Phase".
Healthy Start scheme fully digitalised with prepaid card replacing paper vouchers
The NHS Healthy Start scheme completed its move from paper vouchers to a prepaid card in March 2022, with participation rising from 60% to 72% during the rollout across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Managed migration expected to complete March 2022
The managed migration of existing benefit and tax credit claimants onto Universal Credit was expected to be completed in March 2022, according to a published rollout timetable.
- February 2022
England Test and Trace Support scheme end date
The Test and Trace Support payment in England closed to new self-isolation periods on 24 February 2022, with claims for earlier periods still open for 42 days.
Northern Ireland Welfare Mitigation scheme expanded
Northern Ireland's Welfare Mitigation scheme was expanded on 8 February 2022 to cover more households affected by the bedroom tax or the Benefit Cap, with further changes following on 10 February.
Job search restriction period reduced for new Universal Credit and JSA claimants
From 5 February 2022 new Universal Credit and Jobseeker's Allowance claimants can restrict their job search to fields where they have previous experience for four weeks rather than thirteen.
Chancellor announces cost of living support package
Chancellor Rishi Sunak set out a package of council tax rebates, repayable energy bill credits and an expanded Warm Home Discount on 3 February 2022, after Ofgem announced a £693 rise in the energy price cap.
DWP updates staff guidance on waiving overpayment recovery
The Department for Work and Pensions updated its staff guidance in February 2022 on when to waive recovery of benefit overpayments, adding factors to consider but limiting waiver to severe welfare cases.
Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2022 debated
The Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2022 was debated in February 2022, and a later Commons committee report said the Government did not mention legacy IT problems when uprating was discussed.
Welsh Government announces £150 Winter Fuel Payment and £25m Discretionary Fund
The Welsh Government has announced a £150 payment for households in council tax bands A to D and a £25m Discretionary Fund for local authorities, alongside a doubled Winter Fuel Support Scheme payment.
Winter Fuel Support Scheme Payment doubled to £200
The Welsh Government has doubled its Winter Fuel Support Scheme Payment to £200, the Bevan Foundation reported on 24 February 2022, as energy bills rise and more Welsh households are expected to fall into fuel poverty.
- January 2022
Abstract of DWP benefit rate statistics 2021 published
The Department for Work and Pensions has published its annual abstract of benefit rate statistics for 2021, covering uprating history, the value of benefits over time and historical figures back to 1948.