The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed more than 8 million families in the UK on means-tested benefits will automatically get £301 this Spring. It has also been announced more than 6.5 million people on disability benefits will receive a £150 payment this summer.
After confirming the schedule for five cost of living payments through the 2023/24 financial year, the DWP announced in Parliament last month more detail on the support. As reported by the Daily Record, this included estimates of how many people across the UK, and in each local authority and parliamentary constituency, will receive the first £301 Cost of Living Payment and the £150 Disability Payment, which follows on from up to £1,200 in support for low-income households in 2022.
New DWP guidance on GOV.UK states that exact payment windows and qualifying periods for eligibility will be announced soon, but are designed to ensure a consistent support offer throughout the year. The delay in confirming qualifying periods until the dates have passed also helps to reduce the risk of fraud from online crooks keen to exploit those waiting on the support.
