Households are being urged to check what cost of living support they can claimRory Poulter09:30, 01 Jun 2026Households are being encouraged to verify what support remains available as the DWP confirms crucial benefit payment dates for June.‌This comes as families prepare for another steep increase in bills after energy regulator Ofgem announced the energy price cap will jump by £221 annually to £1,862 from July - a rise of nearly 13%. The hike follows instability in global oil and gas markets and will place additional pressure on households already grappling with food, housing and borrowing expenses.‌Which benefits are being paid in June?The DWP states payments will proceed as normal throughout June as there are no bank holidays impacting the payment schedule.‌Benefits due as usual include:Personal Independence Payment (PIP)Disability Living Allowance (DLA)Attendance AllowanceCarer's AllowanceUniversal CreditState PensionPension CreditChild Benefit‌The State Pension remains paid every four weeks, with the payment day determined by the last two digits of a claimant's National Insurance number:00 to 19 - Monday20 to 39 - Tuesday40 to 59 - Wednesday60 to 79 - Thursday80 to 99 - FridayState pension and benefit increases already in effectBenefit rates rose in April, with Universal Credit standard allowances increasing by 6.2%. For a single claimant aged over 25, the standard allowance went up from £92 a week to £98 a week. Couples aged over 25 witnessed payments climb from £145 to £154 a week. Meanwhile, most disability and working-age benefits rose by 3.8%. The full new State Pension increased by 4.8% in April under the triple lock, taking payments to £241.05 a week.‌However, changes to the health-related element of Universal Credit mean new claimants now receive £50 a week instead of £105, with existing claimant rates frozen until 2029.Energy firms and broadband companies offering supportA number of major energy providers continue to offer hardship schemes and grants to customers who are struggling financially, including British Gas, EDF, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power.‌Households on lower incomes may also be eligible for discounted broadband and water social tariffs, while some families can receive up to 100% council tax support depending on their individual circumstances.Extra help households can apply forCouncils throughout England are now distributing assistance via the Government's new Crisis and Resilience Fund, which replaced the Household Support Fund and discretionary housing payments in April.The scheme includes:‌Crisis payments for households facing financial emergenciesHousing payments to help with rent deposits, rent shortfalls or moving costsThe DWP has instructed councils to adopt a "cash-first" approach wherever possible.Universal Credit claimants may also be eligible for budgeting advance loans worth up to:‌£348 for single people£464 for couples£812 for households with childrenThe loans are interest-free and repaid through deductions from future benefit payments. £24bn in benefits left unclaimedDespite the mounting strain on household finances, billions of pounds in available support remains unclaimed each year. According to figures referenced by the DWP from Policy in Practice, approximately £24bn in benefits and assistance goes uncollected by eligible households annually.Article continues belowThe DWP reveals that around 24 million people currently receive some form of benefit or State Pension support - roughly one in three people across Britain.There are currently no new DWP cost of living payments scheduled for 2026, following the conclusion of the previous scheme in February 2024.