The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will start to make the first of two payments which make up the £650 means-tested Cost of Living Payment from this Thursday. Eligible claimants who are in receipt of certain benefits will be paid £326 between July 14 and 31, however, there may be a delay for a small number of people with complex benefits.
Not everyone on a low-income benefit will be eligible for the payment and the DWP has previously explained why those on Contributions-based and new style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) do not qualify. Put simply, it’s because these benefits are not means-tested.
However, DWP has now shared that ESA claimants may be eligible for the £324 cost of living payment in the autumn if they make a “successful claim to an eligible benefit” before the next qualifying date, which has still to be announced.
