MILLIONS of people will get extra cash from next week to help them cover rising energy bills.
People getting Universal Credit are among those who will get a £324 direct payment to their bank account.
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Everyone on means-tested benefits is getting the cash as part of a package of measures from the government.
That means those on Universal Credit and legacy benefits like tax credits will get the cash.
The lowest income pensioners will also get the help, on top of a separate £300 payment going out to all over state pension age from this week.
The payment is due to arrive in bank accounts from November 8.
But as there are many payments to be made, they won’t all happen on the same day.
The DWP has said that most people should get the cash by November 23.
And over one million people on tax credits will have to wait longer.
That’s because the benefit is paid by HMRC rather than the DWP, and so it’s paid later to avoid people getting it twice.
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They will get the cash from November 23, and by November 30 at the latest.
The cash is the second half of a £650 cost of living payment that’s going to millions of people struggling in the cost of living crisis.
The first payment worth £326 has already been made over the summer.
Those with disabilities have also had £150 cost of living payment in September.
The good news is that even if you didn’t get the first half of the £650, you might get the second.
Here we explain who’s eligible for the cash and how you’ll get it.
Who is eligible for the £324 payment?
Those on the following benefits will get the £324 cost of living payment.
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
For those on benefits paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) the payment will be made from from November 8.
The majority of those eligible should be paid by November 23.
Payments for those on tax credits which come from HMRC will follow shortly after.
Anyone who was in receipt of these benefits between August 26 and September 25 should get the payment.
The payments will be tax-free and won’t affect any benefits you’re getting.
A separate £300 one-off payment for pensioners will be paid on top of the £324 to those who get pension credit.
And anyone with disabilities will have had a £150 payment on top too.
Millions of households are also getting a £400 payment to cover energy bills.
The cash is being paid in instalments monthly though winter, and goes to anyone paying an energy bill.
Here’s everything you need to know about how the energy rebate will be paid.
Meanwhile the Household Support Fund was extended again and gives money to local councils to dish out to struggling residents in their area.
