Cost of living payments were a lifeline for some during 2022. As fuel and food costs spiralled, households worried about rising bills and just how to pay them. Further payments under the government scheme are due in 2023, however the criteria for eligibility for the new amounts is different. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has now shared an update of the payments and when we can expect to find out who is entitled to claim them.
New information about from DWP on when millions of people across the country can expect to find out more details about eligibility criteria for cost of living payments due to be made in 2023/24 has been revealed. The next round of financial help is worth up to £1,350 in total for those on a low-income, people claiming disability benefits and pensioner households.
To date, DWP has only confirmed the payment schedule for the £900 means-tested payment, which will be made in three lump sums of £301, £300 and £399, the £150 disability payment and £300 pensioner payment. According to Nottinghamshire Live sister publication, Daily Record, the first payment of £301 for around eight million people on a low income claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and other means-tested benefits will land in bank accounts this Spring.
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Specific details including a payment window and qualifying period have not been released yet, however, DWP has now said that “further details on eligibility criteria for cost of living payments will be detailed” in legislation due to be introduced to Parliament in early 2023.
The response came following a query from Alba MP Neale Hanvey, who asked when DWP plans to publish the eligibility criteria for the 2023-24 cost of living payments. In a written response, Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, Mims Davies MP, said: “Primary legislation will be introduced early in 2023 as soon as Parliamentary time allows, and further details on eligibility criteria for Cost of Living payments will be detailed in that legislation.”
Cost of living payment schedule 2023/24
Below is the payment schedule from DWP.
People who are eligible for any of the Cost of Living Payments and receive Tax Credits, and no other means-tested benefits, will receive their payment from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shortly after DWP payments are issued.
£900 means-tested cost of living payment
- £301 - first payment to be made during Spring 2023
- £300 – second payment to be made during Autumn 2023
- £299 - third payment to be made during Spring 2024
This will be paid to eligible households receiving the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit - paid by HMRC if no other DWP means-tested benefit is also claimed
- Child Tax Credit - paid by HMRC if no other DWP means-tested benefit is also claimed
This payment will be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
£150 disability cost of living payment
- £150 - this one-off payment will be made during Summer 2023
This will be paid to eligible claimants receiving the following benefits:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
This payment will be tax-free and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
£300 Pensioner Payment
- £300 - this will be added to annual Winter Fuel Payments during Winter 2023/24
Older people also in receipt of Pension Credit will also qualify for the £900 means-tested cost of living payment and the £150 payment if they are receiving support through one of the listed disability benefits.
In total, pensioner households could get an income boost of £1,350 during 2023/24.
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