The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) made more than 7.2 million payments for the first instalment of the £650 means-tested cost of living support package last month with a further one million people on Tax Credits due to receive the one-off lump sum for £326 in September. A date for the second round of support, worth £324, has not been confirmed but is expected at some point over this winter.
Almost one in four families across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland qualify for financial help from the UK Government's £37 billion support package. However, if you are not eligible for the means-tested payment, or any of the others due to be paid later this year - £150 for people on disability benefits or £300 for pensioner households - you may still be able to access cash support from your local council.
The Scottish Government received £79 million from the UK Government's Household Support Fund, which will be distributed across all 32 local authority areas to provide financial help to Scots during the cost of living crisis.
