The government has paid 6.4 million people the first instalment of the disability cost of living payment, it has been revealed. The DWP is administering the payout of £150 as part of a program of assistance to some of the poorest households in the country.
Payments began to be made on June 20 and if someone is eligible, they will be paid £150 automatically between 20 June and 4 July. In the first four days 6,400,000 received the money into their bank account, the Department for Work and Pensions said this afternoon (Friday June 23).
This payment is part of a package of assistance - including £900 in cost of living payments which are being delivered in three instalments. The first £301 was paid by the DWP between 25 April 2023 and 17 May 2023 for most people on DWP benefits. The second of £300 will be paid during autumn 2023 for most people - no exact date has been set. The third and final £299 will be paid during spring 2024 for most people.
Those eligible for the first payment were those receiving income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit on specific qualifying dates.
Anyone who thinks they should have received the first payment and didn’t can report it by clicking here. The Disability Cost of Living Payment of £150 is paid if you’re getting any of any of the following benefits:
- 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
If you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024, you will get an extra £150 or £300 paid with your normal payment from November 2023. The full amount of Winter Fuel Payment (including the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment) you will get for winter 2023 to 2024 depends on when you were born and your circumstances during the qualifying dates.
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024 if you were born before 25 September 1957. This guidance will be updated with the qualifying dates for the payment when they are published.
You will be sent a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get if you’re eligible.