Overview of the Act
The Social Security (Additional Payments) Act 2023 makes provisions for additional payments from the 2023/24 financial year to help with the increased costs of living. Specifically, it provides for three separate payments totalling up to £900 for claimants receiving a payment of a means-tested benefit, and a payment of £150 for claimants receiving a payment of a qualifying disability benefit.
	The Act aims to:
make provision for the Secretary of State or His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to make three means-tested additional payments amounting to up to £900 to an eligible person who has a qualifying entitlement to social security benefits or tax credits and sets out the specific qualifying social security benefits or tax credits;
make provision for the Secretary of State to make a £150 disability additional payment to an eligible individual and sets out the specific qualifying disability benefits;
ensure that no account is taken of an additional payment in considering a person’s liability to tax; and
allow for data sharing to take place between HMRC and the Secretary of State to enable accurate additional payments to be made securely.