Over 196,000 low-income families in South Yorkshire set for funding boost

The Government payments are being introduced to help with the ongoing cost of living crisis

Author: Chris Davis-SmithPublished 14th Jul 2022

It's thought the new 'cost of living payment' being introduced by the Government will only act as a 'sticking plaster' for many in South Yorkshire.

Almost 200 thousand low-income families across Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley & Rotherham are due to receive funding today to help with rising costs.

Sarah Robinson-who works for Citizens Advice in Doncaster-reckons the other methods of support could've been more beneficial:

"What these families really need is something like the Universal Credit uplift, where they were getting something every week.

"We think it will help a tiny bit, but it won't be a long term solution to the cost-of-living crisis.

"People have got arrears for things, so they might just use it straight away for that, then it'll be gone straight away, and they'll be back to square one.

"It won't actually help with their daily living."

The first cost of living instalment will see millions of low-income households in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland initially £326 better off as the government delivers significant interventions to support groups who are most vulnerable to rising costs.

In total, millions of households will receive at least £1,200 from the government this year to help cover rising costs.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Thérèse Coffey said:

"With millions of the lowest-income households soon seeing the first of two cash instalments land into their bank accounts, we are taking action to directly help families with the cost of living.

This one-off payment totalling £650 is part of our £37 billion cost-of-living support package that will put an extra £1,200 into the pockets of those most in need."

The second instalment of £324 will be sent to qualifying low-income households from the Autumn.

You can read more about the payments on the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/over-8-million-families-in-the-uk-getting-new-cost-of-living-payment-from-14-july-2022

Hear all the latest news from across Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster on the hour, every hour, on 97.4FM, 102.9FM, 103.4FM, DAB, at hallamfm.co.uk, and on the Hallam FM app.