Most people eligible for the Government's £650 Cost of Living Payment should now have received the second instalment, worth £324. The support is part of a number of payments being made to support people on low incomes amid the cost of living crisis.
Payments started being made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on September 20 for those on means-tested benefits, The Liverpool Echo reports. Claimants of benefits such as Universal Credit, income based Jobseeker's Allowance, or Pension Credit may be eligible for the grant.
The funds are paid in addition to the support that people normally receive, because of the particularly difficult economic conditions this year, with inflation reaching a record high of 11.1 per cent in October. The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced recently that a similar payment will be made next year, worth £900.
READ MORE: Full list of new DWP payment rates for millions on PIP, Universal Credit and other benefits
Although the second instalment of this year's grant should now have been paid (except to those on tax credits who are paid later), some people are yet to receive it. Others are waiting for the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment, which is paid to people receiving disability benefits such as Attendance Allowance and PIP.
Anyone who thinks they should have received the money but hasn't is now encouraged to report it to the DWP. The GOV.UK website says you can submit a report if you believe you are due one of the following payments but can't see the money in your bank, building society or credit union account:
- £326 or £324 Cost of Living Payment for a low income benefit
- £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment
People who receive tax credits are being paid their Cost of Living Payment later, with the money beginning to be paid out on Wednesday 23 November. Therefore these people do not need to report missing fuds yet as they should be paid soon.
You should only submit a report once and GOV.UK says people will be contacted as soon as possible. Earlier this year, the DWP said there "may be potential delays for a small minority of cases due to their unique characteristics".
READ NEXT:
