Some cost of living support payments will be paid into personal accounts from July, it has been announced.
A cost of living support package has been put in place for 2022 that includes one-off payments to those on income related benefits, disabled claimants and pensioners.
These payments are intended to provide support to you with the current rise in the cost of living.
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Northern Ireland's Department for Communities has issued guidance on Friday, to help those unsure of their eligibility.
A spokesperson explained: "You may be eligible for one, or more, of these Cost of Living Support Payments if you get certain benefits or tax credits.
"You do not need to do anything to apply. If you are eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you receive your normal benefit payments.
"These additional cost of living payments are not taxable and will not affect any of the benefits or tax credits you get."
Low income (means tested) benefits
You may get a Cost of Living Payment of £650, paid in two instalments, if you get any of the following:
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
The first payment will be made from July 2022 and you will need to have been entitled to one of the qualifying benefits on May 25, 2022 to be eligible for this.
The second payment will be made in the autumn, with no date announced by The Westminster Government yet.
If you have a joint claim with a partner, you will get one Cost of Living Payment, paid in two lump sums from July 2022 and again in the autumn, if eligible.
You will not get a payment if you have already received a Cost of Living Payment because you were entitled to tax credits.
If you get New-Style Employment and Support Allowance or New-Style Jobseeker’s Allowance, you will not be entitled to the Cost of Living Payment, unless you get Universal Credit or a disability benefit as well.
However, if you also receive a qualifying disability benefit, you may get an additional Disability Cost of Living Payment.
Tax Credits
You may get a Cost of Living Payment of £650, paid in two instalments, if you have an award for either of the following:
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
The first payment will be made from autumn 2022 and you will need to have been entitled to tax credits, or have begun a claim which is later successful, on May 25, 2022 to be eligible for this.
The second payment will be made in the autumn. The Westminster Government has not yet announced the date on which you need to have been entitled to one of these qualifying benefits to get this.
If you have a joint claim with a partner, you will get one Cost of Living Payment, paid in 2 lump sums in autumn 2022 and in the winter, if eligible.
You will not get a payment if you have already received a low income (means tested) Cost of Living Payment.
However, if you also receive a qualifying disability benefit, you may get an additional Disability Cost of Living Payment.
Disability benefits
You may get a lump sum payment of £150 if you get any of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
You will need to have been entitled to one of these qualifying benefits on 25 May 2022 to get the payment.
You will get the payment in September 2022.
If you also receive a qualifying low income (means tested) benefit or tax credits, you may get an additional Cost of Living Payment.
Help for Pensioners
Pensioner households will receive an extra £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment this year to help them cover the rising cost of energy this winter.
If you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023, you will get this extra £300 paid with your normal payment from November 2022.
You will get this Pensioner Cost of Living Payment as well as any Cost of Living Payment you may receive with your qualifying benefit or tax credits.
People will be eligible for this payment if they are over State Pension age (aged 66 or above) between 19 – 25 September 2022.
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