The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that some households that are sent the £650 cost of living payment will be required to repay it.
Around eight million people across Scotland and the UK received the first £326 instalment of the sum between July 14 and July 31 as part of the UK Government's plans to help the public through the cost of living crisis.
The payment is automatically transferred to individuals who receive specific qualifying benefits, such as Universal Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support and Pension Credit.
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Additionally, those who claim tax credits will also get the money via HMRC. The first instalment is due to be paid in September.
However, the DWP has warned that some people who are sent the money will have to pay it back. It stated: "If you have received a Cost of Living Payment, but we later find that you were not eligible for it, you may have to pay it back.”
As reported by the Daily Record, the DWP and HMRC employ a computer program to select people who qualify for the money. The eligibility criteria for the £650 cost of living payment, as well as the £150 disability payment and a £300 payment for eligible pensioners, was unveiled in May.
The DWP shared an online form earlier this week for people to use if they believe they are eligible for the £326 but have not yet received the money.
In order to use the ‘Report a missing Cost of Living Payment’ form on GOV.UK, you will have to have your National Insurance number.
Reason you may not have received a payment
According to the DWP, there are a variety of reasons why you may not have received the cash, such as:
- You're still waiting for a decision on your benefit application or appeal - if you're eligible, you'll get the Cost of Living Payment automatically later
- The payment is not due yet for your benefit - for example, if you get Tax Credits, you will not get your first Cost of Living Payment until Autumn 2022
You're not eligible for it - to get the £326, you must have been either:
- Entitled to a Universal Credit payment for an assessment period that ended in the period April 26, 2022 to May 25, 2022
- Entitled to an income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Income Support or Pension Credit payment for any day in the period April 26, 2022 to May 25, 2022
Who does not qualify for the £650 payment?
You will not get the payment if you receive New Style Employment and Support Allowance, Contributory Employment and Support Allowance or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance — unless you also claim Universal Credit.
Qualifying low income benefits and Tax Credits
To qualify for the £650 cost of living payment, you must receive any of the following:
Backdated Cost of Living payments
You may be issued the payment later than usual if you make a successful claim for a qualifying benefit later in, or make adjustments to the account your benefit or Tax Credits are paid into.
In situations such as these, the money will still be paid automatically and you do not need to get in touch with the DWP or HMRC.
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