The cost of living crisis is a pressing issue that has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has disrupted global oil trade and caused a spike in energy and food prices. As we reach the halfway point of 2026, many households are struggling to make ends meet, with two-thirds of Britons cutting back on essentials and 55% of households in poverty containing at least one working person. The situation is particularly dire for those claiming benefits, with £24bn worth of benefits going unclaimed each year. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been working to migrate legacy benefits to universal credit, but vulnerable claimants may need more time to make the transition. The basic state pension is paid straight into bank accounts every four weeks, with the exact day corresponding to the last two digits of the national insurance number. Benefit payment dates in June include universal credit, state pension, pension credit, child benefit, disability living allowance (DLA), personal independence payment (PIP), attendance allowance, and carer’s allowance. The DWP has introduced a new ‘Crisis and Resilience Fund’ to support low-income households, as well as a ‘crisis payment’ and a ‘housing payment’ to provide financial support towards housing costs. The government also offers budgeting advance loans, which are interest-free and automatically deducted from universal credit payments. Charitable grants are available for those struggling financially, but they require specific criteria and limited funds. Energy suppliers offer help for those struggling with their energy bills, and social tariffs are available for broadband and water bills. Council tax reduction is also an option for those meeting certain criteria or receiving certain benefits. Up to 30 hours of free childcare is available for working parents, and the energy price cap will increase by £221 a year to £1,862 from July. However, the DWP has not announced any continuation of the cost of living payment scheme, which raises concerns about the future financial stability of many households.
