On Thursday, the first instalment of the £650 cost of living payment started landing in people's bank account — and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an urgent warning.
Up to a quarter of households in Scotland are eligible for the £326 sum, which will be paid into accounts across the remainder of the month. The payment is part of the UK Government's £37 billion support package to help people across the UK amid the worsening cost of living crisis.
With energy bills and everyday costs soaring, household budgets have been stretched to their limit, and many families have been forced into poverty. The payment, which is for individuals who claim certain qualifying DWP benefits, is therefore a lifeline for many people in need.
