Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans his Department has to provide further financial support to Kinship Carers to help with the cost of living.

The Government understands the pressures people are facing, with the cost of living. That is why the Government introduced a £37 billion Cost of Living support package, which ensures that the most vulnerable households will receive at least £1,200 this year.

The £650 Cost of Living Payment, split into two payments for those on means-tested benefits, is one of a number of measures included in the Government’s support package. To be eligible for a Cost of Living Payment, claimants must have received a payment (or later receive a payment) of one of the qualifying means-tested benefits during the eligibility period. The eligibility period for the second £324 payment is 26 August to the 25 September 2022.

Depending on personal circumstances, kinship carers may be eligible for means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit and Child Tax Credit.

In addition, a non-repayable £400 discount on energy bills is available for all domestic electricity customers in Great Britain and earlier this year, a £150 non-repayable rebate in Council Tax bills benefited all households in Bands A-D in England.

To find out more about the Government’s cost of living support, visit: Cost of Living Payment - GOV.UK