PEOPLE in need could see the first instalment of a vital £650 payment delayed.
The Cost of Living payments are set to start being paid to eight million households from July 14.
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It’s part of a raft of measures to help people struggling with soaring energy bills and food and fuel costs.
But the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed there may be circumstances where payments take longer to process.
A spokesperson said: “We are on track to give eight million low-income households their first Cost of Living instalment from this month.
“In a small number of unique cases with more complex circumstances, the payments will take slightly longer to process.
“But all eligible households will automatically receive the first instalment, and no one needs to worry they will miss out.”
Previously, in a written statement, DWP Minister, David Rutley MP, said: “Due to the volume of people entitled to the payment, it is not possible to issue all of the Cost of Living Support Payments at the same time.
“Issuing payments will be staggered, but not by benefit type.”
He added: “We currently expect the majority of payments to be made by the end of July, there may be potential delays for a small minority of cases due to their unique characteristics.”
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The news has been met with criticism by Stephen Crabb, a Tory MP and former Work and Pensions Secretary.
He told the i newspaper that any delay could see some families in need at greater risk of hardship.
He said: “The DWP needs to get these payments out in an efficient and timely way.
“If there is one department that needs to be performing at its very best right now, it is DWP.”
What is the Cost of Living payment?
Households on means-tested benefits will get the £650 Cost of Living payment.
The payments will automatically be made to those receiving Universal Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income support, Pension Credit, working tax credit and child tax credit.
The payments are to be made in two instalments, the first from July 14, and the second from later in the autumn.
A date for the second instalment is yet to be confirmed.
The payment will be made separately to your normal benefit amount.
However, if you’re on tax credits, you will be paid your first instalment later in the year.
The first instalment will be made in autumn, and the second from winter.
The delay to payments is in place in order to avoid “duplicate payments” – we explain below.
For more information, you can visit the government’s website.
On top of this, the government is offering a £400 energy bill rebate to help households cover the cost of soaring energy bills.
And pensioners will also get an extra £300 one-off payment to help them through the winter months.
