The reason more regular cost of living payments cannot be made is a result of ‘clunky government systems’ according to the Treasury Committee. It highlighted constraints within the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) payments system as an obstacle to payments being more frequent.
More than eight million people are exempted to receive the £900 cost of living support over 2023/24 as part of the UK Government’s wider support package for those on a low income, people on disability benefits and pensioner households. The £900 will be given to people on means-tested benefits in three payments made directly into bank accounts, in spring 2023 (£301), autumn 2023 (£300) and spring 2024 (£299).
In December 2022, the cross-party committee of MPs said cost of living support payments to people on means-tested benefits should be spread over next winter, with a payment each month for six months.
