MILLIONS of Brits are in line for the latest £300 payment in the coming weeks, but not everyone will get the cash.
Those on benefits like Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Income Support will get the second instalment of the cost of living cash.
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The money is being split into three instalments, one of which was paid in April, with the latest coming this autumn and the final amount in spring 2024.
The first payment of £301 hit bank accounts between April 25 and May 17.
The second is due between October 31 and November 19.
More than 8million people will have the cash paid automatically and don’t need to apply for it.
But, there are some who won’t be eligible for the help such as those on PIP and Child Benefit.
We’ve rounded up the full list of benefits that won’t qualify for the £300 one-off cost of living payment.
- Attendance allowance
- Carer’s allowance
- Child benefit
- Disability living allowance (DLA)
- Contributory, or “new style”, employment and support allowance (ESA)
- Guardian’s allowance
- Contribution-based, or “new style”, jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
- Maternity allowance
- Personal independence payment
- State pension
- Statutory adoption, maternity, paternity and shared parental pay
- Statutory sick pay
You’ll only be able to receive the free cash if you’re in receipt of at least one of the following benefits:
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- Universal Credit
- Income-based jobseekers allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Income support
- Working tax credit
- Child tax credit
- Pension credit
You need to have been entitled to a payment for any of the qualifying benefits above between August 18 and September 17 to be eligible for the free cash.
If you were later found to be entitled to any of the above benefits between the same dates you will also be eligible for the payment too.
The payment reference for bank accounts will be the recipient’s National Insurance number followed by DWP COL or HMRC COLS.
For example, if your NI number is JT 83 42 97B your payment will show up as “JT 83 42 97B DWP COLP” or “JT 83 42 97B HMRC COLP” on your bank statement.
The final £299 cost of living payment will be made in the spring of 2024.
It follows the £650 cost of living payment made to over eight million people in 2022.
What other help is available?
Pensioners who are entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment in 2023/24 will get an extra £150 or £300 paid on top of their normal payment later this year.
Energy suppliers also offer plenty of energy grants and schemes to help you out if you’re struggling.
You can get a grant from your energy supplier if you’re really struggling and need help paying off debts.
Scottish Power, for example, gives up to £750 per household to the most hard-up households.
Most hardship funds have no deadline and you can apply all year round.
The government has pumped a further £842million into the Household Support Fund (HSF) pot of cash which councils are giving out to local residents.
The HSF is designed to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
Each council gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and need.
They then decide who to distribute the money to, and how to.
It can come in the form of a voucher, or a direct cash payment into your bank account.
In most cases, the support is offered to those on a low income or certain benefits.
You should check with your local council if you are eligible for any support.
If you don’t know what council area you fall under, you can use the government’s council locator on its website.
Just type “find my local council” into Google and it should be the first link to click.
Meanwhile, households could save £400 a year on bills thanks to a new scheme offering free home improvements.
Plus, here’s everything you need to know about the latest cost of living payment.
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