Thousands on benefits will have to wait MONTHS longer for £650 cost of living payment – are you affected?

THOUSANDS of hard-up households will have to wait MONTHS longer for the £650 cost of living payment if they are claiming certain benefits.

Around 8million people will get the first half of the cash from July 14, the government has revealed.

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The money is part of a package of support from the government to help people struggling in the cost of living crisis.

Up to £1,500 will be dished out throughout the year, depending on your circumstances.

Every household in the UK will be given at least £400 to help cover spiralling energy bills this winter as they are set to rise by hundreds of pounds.

Pensioners will get an extra £300 one-off payment during the coldest months and six million people with disabilities will receive £150 in September.

People getting certain benefits will be eligible for the £650 payment. That includes:

• Universal Credit
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income support
• Pension credit
• Working tax credits
• Child tax credits

The cash is being paid in two parts with the first payment worth £326 going out from July 14 and hitting bank accounts before the end of the month.

But those on tax credits will NOT be getting the first payment until months later.

The much-needed help will arrive in autumn and the remaining cash in winter – the exact date has not yet been announced.

People may be receiving tax credits alongside other benefits that qualify for the cost of living payment.

So the £650 payment to those on tax credits only will be dished out at a later date to avoid any double payments being made.

It’s not clear exactly how many people are affected by the delay to payments.

An estimated 1.5million people are claiming tax credits, the latest figures show.

But many of those will be in receipt of other benefits which means they will be paid earlier – £326 from July 14 and then £324 in Autumn.

Anyone facing a longer wait could still get other help, like free cash or vouchers from their local council or energy supplier.

Extra cost of living help you can get NOW

Council tax bill

Some households on low incomes could be eligible for a discount on their council tax bill.

In some cases you could even get your bill reduced to zero and with the average bill for a band D home at £1,898, that could save a a significant sum.

Find out what you could get in our guide.

Energy bill grants and vouchers

Several suppliers offer energy bill help through hardship funds and give out grants worth as much as £750 – you don’t have to repay the cash.

British Gas just added and extra £2millionto its Energy Trust fund to help struggling customers.

You’ll need to contact your supplier directly to see what they offer and eligibility and how much you get can vary between them.

If you’re on a prepayment meter you might be able to get a one-off fuel voucher from your energy supplier.

Council funds

The Household Support Fund, which helps families with the rising cost of living, has been extended.

This help could include cash grants to pay bills or cover food costs – the help will depend on where you live.

For example, residents in Blackpool can get as much as £300, depending on their circumstances.

To find out what support is available in your area, contact your local council.

Councils also have welfare assistance schemes which help low income families with necessities like food and other bills, and the eligibility may be broader than for the Household Support Fund.

£150 council tax rebate

Four in five households will be getting £150 payment to help cover the cost of rising energy bills.

The cash is being dished out by councils as a one-off payment rather than a discount on your usual council tax bill.

You’ll get it if you’re in council tax bands A-D, though a discretionary fund is also available for households not eligible and will give out £150 payments too.

You don’t have to pay this cash back but you might have to apply to get it if your local authority does not have direct debit or bank details for you on record.

Here’s everything you need to know about the scheme.

Rent and housing help

Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) is a little-known pot of money handed out by councils to cover shortfalls in rent and help with deposits.

The financial support is available to those getting benefits for housing in England and Wales.

Each local authority dishes out DHP cash to those in need on a case-by-case basis, and the amounts available can vary.

So you’ll need to speak to your council to see what’s available where you are.

You won’t need to repay the cash and you could get a lump sum, or ongoing payment.

Here’s more ways to get help – from water bill discounts to cheaper broadband tariffs if you’re on benefits.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk