With the recent announcement and schedule for the next wave of cost of living payments by the Department for Work & Pensions, Bristol Live recently reported that some eight million families were expected to receive the first £301 payment this spring. However, not everyone claiming benefits will automatically qualify for the £900 means-tested payment.
The Daily Record reports that the first of the payments will be made to claimants on qualifying benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits, adding that the gov.uk guidance indicates that eligibility for the 2023/24 cost of living payments will follow the same criteria as last year. This means that claimants will need to be in receipt of Universal Credit, along with their non-qualifying benefit to receive the first payment of £301 in a few weeks.
The guidance states: "You will not get a payment if you were getting New Style Employment and Support Allowance, contributory Employment and Support Allowance, or New Style Jobseeker's Allowance, unless you were getting Universal Credit as well." Here is more information around who isn't eligible and why, as well as the upcoming payment schedule and how to check...
