The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has rejected a proposal from Labour to make the £324 means-tested cost of living payment available to households that are receiving State Pension, but are not eligible for Pension Credit.
Pension Credit is one of the means-tested benefits which qualifies for the second part of the £650 cost of living payment from the DWP. The money is due to land in more than eight million bank accounts between November 8 and 23, but only to households that meet the qualifying criteria.
In a written response to Emma Hardy MP this week, DWP Minister Laura Trott, explained how the cost of living payment is “deliberately targeted at low-income households in receipt of a qualifying means-tested benefit” and clarified how this is for people above State Pension age who are in receipt of Pension Credit.
Ms Trott said: “Non-means tested benefits, such as the State Pension are not eligible benefits for the cost of living payment in their own right because people receiving these benefits may have other financial resources available to them.
“Pension Credit claimants are eligible for the cost of living payment if they are entitled to Pension Credit at the time of the qualifying period, even if entitlement was determined after this.”
She continued: “We urge pensioners to check their eligibility for Pension Credit, using the GOV.UK online calculator or by calling the freephone claim line.
“The qualifying period for the second £324 cost of living payment is 26 August to the 25th September 2022. Pension Credit can be backdated for up to three months from the date of claim, for those who are eligible, so it is not too late to make a claim and qualify for the second cost of living payment.”
Ms Trott also said that the last date for making a successful backdated application to qualify for the second cost of living payment is December 18,2022.
The DWP minister also said that for pensioners not eligible for the cost of living payment, or for those that need more support, the UK Government is providing a range of help.
She said: “Pensioners who are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023 will get an extra £300 for their household paid with their normal payment from November.
“That means over eight million pensioner households across the UK will receive an increased Winter Fuel Payment of £500/£600 this winter, depending on age, and this will be paid on top of any other one-off support a pensioner household is entitled to.
“Pensioners are also being supported through the Energy Price Guarantee and the Energy Bills Support scheme.”
To find out more about Pension Credit read our full guide here.
Eligible benefits for November £324 payment from DWP
You may get a payment of £324 if you are currently claiming any of the following:
- Universal Credit
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Tax Credits - must be claimed alongside one other DWP benefit in this list, otherwise payment will be made later from HMRC
The payment will be made separately from your benefit.
If you have a joint claim with a partner, you will get one payment of £324 for your joint claim, if you’re entitled. The easiest way to think of this is one payment per claim, so two individuals living in a house with two separate claims will get two separate payments.
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