Earlier this year, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the Government would be helping those most in need with financial boosts to help alleviate the cost of living crisis facing many. In total, around £15billion worth of support was unveiled.
Among the support package includes a £650 payment. This will be split over two separate payments and go out to people on certain means-tested benefits.
The first instalment will be worth £326 and is due to start being paid out from July 14. The second £324 payment will be paid out later in the year.
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Ahead of the first payments going out, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released information about how the payments will work and who is eligible for them. You can find out more below:
Information for people on low-income benefits
The DWP says: "You may get a payment of £650 paid in 2 lump sums of £326 and £324 if you’re getting any of the following:
- Universal Credit.
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
- Income Support.
- Pension Credit.
"To get the first Cost of Living Payment of £326, you must have been entitled to a payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) of either:
- Universal Credit for an assessment period that ended in the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022.
- income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Income Support or Pension Credit for any day in the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022.
"We will update this guidance when the government has announced the qualifying dates to get the second payment of £324.
"If you have a joint claim with a partner, you will get one payment of £326 and one payment of £324 for your joint claim, if you’re entitled. You will not get a payment if you get New Style Employment and Support Allowance, contributory Employment and Support Allowance, or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance, unless you get Universal Credit.
"Most of the first payments of £326 will be made between 14 July 2022 and the end of July 2022. We will update this guidance when payments have been made.
"You’ll get the second payment of £324 in autumn 2022, if you’re entitled. If you also get a qualifying disability benefit, you may get an additional Disability Cost of Living Payment."
Information for people claiming Tax Credits
The DWP says: "You may get a payment of £650 paid in 2 lump sums of £326 and £324 if you have an award of any of the following:
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
"To get the first Cost of Living Payment of £326, you must have received a payment, or an annual award of at least £26, of tax credits on any day in the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022. We will update this guidance when the government has announced the qualifying dates to get the second payment of £324.
"If you have a joint claim with a partner, you will get one payment of £326 and one payment of £324 for your joint claim, if you’re entitled. If you get both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, you will receive a Cost of Living Payment for Child Tax Credit only.
"If you get tax credits from HMRC and a low income benefit from DWP, you will get a Cost of Living Payment from DWP only.
"You’ll get the first payment of £326 from autumn 2022 and the second payment of £324 from winter 2022, if you’re entitled. If you also get a qualifying disability benefit, you may get an additional Disability Cost of Living Payment from DWP."
Information for people on disability benefits
The DWP says: "You may get a lump sum payment of £150 if you’re getting any of the following:
- 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.
"You must have received a payment (or later receive a payment) of one of these qualifying benefits for 25 May 2022 to get the payment. If you get a qualifying disability benefit from the Ministry of Defence and a qualifying disability benefit from DWP, you will get a Disability Cost of Living Payment from DWP only.
"You’ll get the payment from September 2022. If you also get a qualifying low income benefit or tax credits, you may get an additional Cost of Living Payment."
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