Nearly one in four families across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland received a one-off payment for £326 sent directly to their bank accounts between 14 and 31 July. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimated it would make around eight million payments by the end of the month and has now said anyone who was eligible but did not receive the money can now report it as 'missing' using a new online form.
The second instalment for £324 is due to be made later in the autumn, however, no qualifying period or specific payment date has been announced yet. The £326 payment forms part of the overall means-tested £650 cost of living payment for those on certain DWP benefits or Tax Credits from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The next cost of living payment will be for £150 which will be sent to around six million people across the UK on certain disability benefits from September 20, 2022. It’s important to note that this is paid per claim, so if two people in a household are claiming any of the qualifying benefits, they will each receive separate payments for £150.
