Millions of households across the UK are set to receive cost of living payments this year to help with their finances - here is a round-up of all the support people can expect.
Over 7.2 million have already received the first £326 instalment of the £650 cost of living payment. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is due to issue the second half this autumn.
Those who claim Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit from HMRC will get the first instalment in September, and the second in the winter. Other cash payments due to be made this year include the £150 disability cost of living payment, £300 added to the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners, and the £400 energy discount, reports the Daily Record.
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Here is a list of all the cost of living payments people are set to receive, when they are due and who is eligible.
Who is eligible for each cost of living payment
There are three different cost of living payments available, and you could qualify for all three depending on your circumstances.
£650 Cost of Living Payment
This is paid to people who claim specific means-tested benefits or Tax Credits and is paid in two one-off instalments. A couple would only qualify for one payment between them.
£150 Disability Cost of Living Payment
This is paid to people who claim a qualifying disability benefit.
£300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
This will be issued to people entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment this winter. A couple would only qualify for one payment between them.
Autumn - £650 means-tested cost of living payment
Most people eligible for the first £326 instalment will have received it already, though more complex claims may be pushed back. Pensioners who started a new claim for Pension Credit prior to August 18 that is later successful will qualify for the full £650 payment. This is due to the fact that the benefit can be backdates for three months — putting it in the May qualifying period.
Qualifying benefits and Tax Credits
You may be eligible if you claim any of the following:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
September - £150 disability cost of living payment
To be eligible for the money, you must have been claiming any (or started a claim that was later successful) of the following on May 25:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
October - £400 energy rebate
Every household across Scotland and the UK that has a domestic electricity connection will get a £400 energy discount. This will be issued automatically and so there is no need to apply.
How will I receive the discount?
The discount will be applied by suppliers over a period of six months starting in October, as follows:
- October - £66
- November - £66
- December - £67
- January - £67
- February - £67
- March - £67
If you do not get the first discount by the end of October, you should contact your energy supplier.
November/December - £300 pensioner cost of living payment
Every qualifying pensioner household will receive a one-off £300 payment on top of their Winter Fuel Payment this November/December. In order to be eligible, you must be at or above the State Pension age during the qualifying week of 19-25 September 2022 and receive the Winter Fuel Payment.
Who does not qualify for the £300 payment?
There are some situations in which you may not qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment. Learn more on GOV.UK, here.
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