MILLIONS of households on certain benefits will receive a £301 cost of living payment within weeks – see if you are eligible.
The free cash payment is the first instalment out of three worth £900 in total and is designed to help with energy and food bills.
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The government has said it will be paid in the spring, which means it will land in eligible people’s bank accounts within weeks.
More than eight million will receive the cash injection.
However, you will only get the free money if you receive at least one of the following benefits:
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Income support
- Pension credit
- Tax credits (child tax credit and working tax credit)
- Universal Credit
For previous cost of living payments you had to be entitled to or later found to be entitled to one of these benefits by a certain date.
This date is yet to be announced by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Those on tax credits will be paid the cash by HMRC and not the DWP.
But those receiving tax credits along with another qualifying benefit from the DWP will be paid by the DWP.
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For example, if someone receives tax credits and pension credit, they will receive their payment from the DWP.
What other help is coming?
The second round of cost of living payments will be made this year and in 2024.
Over six million people will receive a £150 disability cost of living payment this summer.
An exact date has not yet been revealed by the government.
But it has updated its website which says you may be entitled to the payment if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
Again, the qualifying date for the payment has not yet been revealed.
If you receive a benefit from the Ministry of Defence and a qualifying benefit from the DWP, the £150 will be paid by the DWP.
The government’s website also says those who receive a benefit from the DWP will be paid earlier than those who get it from the Ministry of Defence.
Millions of pensioners will receive a £150 or £300 cost of living payment from November this year.
You will be eligible for the payment if you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023/24.
Effectively, the cost of living payment will top up your Winter Fuel Payment.
Eligible households will be sent a letter in October or November telling them how much their total payment is.
Beyond the cost of living payments, extra help is coming via the Household Support Fund, which has been extended until March 31, 2024.
The fund is a central pot of money from government that is shared between local councils in England.
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.
