The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has dismissed a new call from Labour to widen eligibility for the second instalment of the £650 means-tested cost of living payment to include people receiving contributions-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). The DWP recently confirmed that over eight million households are set to receive the second payment, worth £324, between November 8 and 23, 2022.
Responding to Zarah Sultana MP on Thursday, DWP Minister Tom Pursglove, explained that the cost of living payments are providing “targeted” support for households where people are on a low income or receiving support through means-tested benefits.
He confirmed that there are “no plans” to change the current eligibility criteria, but highlighted how non-means tested benefits such as contributions-based ESA “may have other financial resources available to them”.
