Millions of people claiming certain means-tested benefits will start to receive a £301 cash boost from next week.
The money is the first of three instalments that make up the £900 cost of living payment.
If you’re eligible, the cash should hit your bank account between April 25 and May 17.
In order to receive the money, you must be claiming one of the following means-tested benefits during the qualifying period.
The benefits are:
Universal Credit
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
Pension Credit
You need to have been entitled to a payment, or later found to have been entitled, between January 26 and February 25, to receive the money.
For those claiming Universal Credit, this counts as the qualifying assessment period.
Low-income pensioners not already getting Pension Credit can still qualify if they backdate a Pension Credit application by May 19.
Those who receive just Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit from HMRC - so are not entitled to any Department for Work and Pension benefits - are also eligible for the £301.
However, HMRC will pay this first instalment at a later date - these households will receive the cash between May 2 and May 9.
Dates for the second and third instalment of the £900 cost of living payments - set to be worth £300 and £299 - have also yet to be announced.
The second payment is due to be sent in autumn 2023, while the third payment will be sent in spring 2024.
All the cost of living payments will be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
I’m not entitled to the £900 cost of living payment - what other support is coming?
There will be a disability cost of living payment worth £150 being sent out during summer 2023.
This includes those in receipt of one of the following benefits:
Disability Living Allowance
Personal Independence Payment
Attendance Allowance
Scottish Disability Benefits
Armed Forces Independence Payment
Constant Attendance Allowance
War Pension Mobility Supplement
There will also be a £300 pensioner cost of living payment to all eligible households that get a Winter Fuel Payment.
The dates for both the £150 disability and £300 pensioner cost of living payments have not yet been confirmed.
