MILLIONS of households are eagerly awaiting a £300 cost of living payment this autumn.
The Government is dishing out £900 to millions on certain benefits including Universal Credit in 2023 and 2024.
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But instead of the payment being made in one lump sum, it has been split into three instalments worth £301, £300 and £299.
The first was paid in April and May this year while the other two are set to be issued in autumn this year and spring 2024 respectively.
But when is the next instalment of £300 being made? Here’s everything you need to know.
Is there a cost of living payment in September?
The Government has said it is issuing the £300 cost of living payment in autumn, but is yet to confirm a specific date.
That means it’s unlikely it’ll go out in September.
Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has predicted it to land in October or November.
Meanwhile, the Government confirmed the payment date for the £301 instalment a month beforehand.
It’s worth keeping an eye on the Department for Work and Pensions‘ Twitter account and the Government’s website for any updates.
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Over eight million people on benefits qualify for the £300 cost of living payment.
The full list of benefits that makes you eligible is:
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
You were eligible for the £301 instalment if you received one of the above benefits between January 26 and February 25.
However, a qualifying period has not yet been specified for the £300 instalment.
The Government’s website simply says: “This guidance will be updated with the qualifying dates for the £300 and £299 cost of living payments when they have been announced.”
What other help is coming?
It’s not just the £900 cost of living payment that’s being issued to help households in need.
Anyone eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment this year will receive a top up worth between £150-£300 from November.
You qualify for this year’s Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before September 25, 1957.
In some cases, you will qualify for both the £900 cost of living payment and the Winter Fuel Payment top up, say for example if your receive Pension Credit.
On top of the cost of living payments, you might be eligible for help via the Household Support Fund (HSF).
It was launched in October 2021 and has been extended multiple times.
The latest tranche of funding is worth £842million and has been distributed among councils in England.
They then decide how to allocate their own unique share, which means it can be a bit of a postcode lottery to what you get.
In most cases though, help is offered to those on benefits or a low income.
It’s worth contacting your local council to see what help is available. You can find your local council by using the Government’s locator tool.
You might also be able to get help paying for your energy bills if you’re struggling to pay up.
British Gas, EDF and E.ON all have schemes open where customers can get free grants to cover costs.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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