A warning has been issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) surrounding scam artists who are targeting cost of living payments.
The DWP posted the warning to social media, urging their followers to always remain vigilant of scam artists. The cost of living payment is making a comeback in 2023 and 2024, meaning fraudulent activity will also be on the rise.
In their warning posted to Twitter, the DWP said: "Watch out for scammers targeting people about #CostOfLiving Payments.
READ MORE: Urgent DWP warning over 18 changes that must be reported - full list
If you're eligible:
- You do not need to apply for the payment
- You do not need to call us
- Payment to you is automatic
- We will never ask for personal details by SMS or email."
The Government has announced when further Cost of Living Payments will be made between spring 2023 and spring 2024. These payments are:
- up to £900 for people on an eligible low income benefit
- £300 for pensioner households
- £150 for people on an eligible disability benefit
Further guidance will be published when more details have been announced, including the qualifying dates.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits. This includes if you’re found to be eligible for a Cost of Living Payment or a Disability Cost of Living Payment at a later date.
You could get up to 3 different types of payment depending on your circumstances on a particular date or during a particular period:
- a Cost of Living Payment, if you get a qualifying low income benefit or tax credits
- a Disability Cost of Living Payment, if you get a qualifying disability benefit
- a Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, if you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023
These payments are not taxable and will not affect the benefits or tax credits you get.
Those on low income benefits and tax credits
You may get a payment of £650 paid in two lump sums of £326 and £324 if you get payments of any of the following:
- Universal Credit
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
The payment will be made separately from your benefit.
If you have a joint claim with a partner, you will get one payment of £326 and one payment of £324 for your joint claim, if you’re entitled.
You will not get a payment if you get New Style Employment and Support Allowance, contributory Employment and Support Allowance, or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance, unless you get Universal Credit.
Disability cost of living payment
You may get a lump sum payment of £150 if you’re getting any of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
Pensioner cost of living payment
If you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023, you will get an extra £150 or £300 paid with your normal payment from November 2022.
This is in addition to any Cost of Living Payment you get with your benefit or tax credits.
Find out what other benefits and financial support you might be able to get to help with your living costs here.
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