The Department of Work and Pensions has announced that the first 2023 Cost of Living Payment is due to hit bank accounts between April 25 and May 17, 2023. It will provide financial relief to eligible individuals and families to help ease the burden of rising everyday expenses such as food, utilities, and transportation.
The first £301 payment is part of a £900 payment which will be made in three instalments and will provide some relief to those who are struggling to make ends meet, says Sinead Campbell, Head of Money, Debt and Quality at Advice NI.
She explained: "This payment will provide support to those who are most vulnerable in facing the harsh reality of rising living costs and financial insecurity. It will help in tackling large energy bills for these given months and allow individuals and families to access basis necessities.”
Read more: When benefit payments will be paid in NI around May Bank Holidays
Below Sinead explains everything you need to know about the 2023 Cost of Living Payments.
Who is eligible?
The 2023 Cost of Living Payment will be made available to individuals and families who are on low-income benefits such as Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support and Universal Credit. It will also be paid to those who receive certain government benefits, including income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, Child or Working Tax Credit.
How will the payment be made?
The payment will be made automatically to eligible individuals and families, with the first payment expected from April 25 to May 17, the second payment in Autumn 2023 and the third in Spring 2024.
Beware of scammers
We’re seeing more and more people vulnerable to scams, so it’s important to highlight that you do not need to do anything to apply. If you are eligible (or if you are found to be eligible at a later date) you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you receive your normal benefit payments.
How to further reduce the impact of the cost-of-living crisis
For those who are not eligible for the 2023 Cost of Living Payment, there are still steps they can take to reduce the impact of the cost of living crisis. One option is to create a budget and stick to it, tracking expenses and finding areas where costs can be cut.
It's also important to highlight that there is additional funding available such as the £150 Disability Payment due in Summer 2023 and £300 Pensioner Payment expected in Winter 2023 /2024. You can check eligibility at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/cost-living-payments or visit Advice NI’s website to see to read more about Cost of Living payments .
Support from Advice NI
If you are struggling to make ends meet, Advice NI and it members can provide a benefit entitlement check to ensure you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to or speak to a debt adviser if you have fallen behind with your bills. We’ve also have a number of free resources available including our personal debt support service and online tools such as the budget planner to help you create a budget and take control of household spending, access to the Consumer Council’s energy comparison tool to compare supplier tariffs throughout Northern Ireland and the SafeFood tool which provides helpful advice for shopping on a budget.
Advice NI and the Independent Advice Network is made up of 65 members and more than 300 advisers across Northern Ireland, all providing free, impartial and confidential advice. To access Advice NI’s money and debt advice service, and free your future, call 0800 915 4604, email advice@adviceni.net or visit adviceni.net/money-debt .
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