Brits waiting to get the first half of their government-issued cost of living payment are being warned to watch out for scammers. Millions of claimants on Universal Credit and other benefits will receive £650, with the first £326 payment to be given this month.
Most households will have been paid the cash, being issued to help with the sky rocketing cost of living, between July 14 and 31. But the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has warned of possible delays - for example, if someone has complications with their benefits in some way.
DWP advice is anyone still waiting for their £326 should contact the office that pays their benefits. And if you have still not had your money, don't fall for scammers asking you to apply for it.
Read more: How to report missing DWP Cost of Living payment
The DWP is warning people not to be duped by crooks who may try and trick them into applying for the £326 payments. These criminals are trying to get hold of bank details or other personal information, reports the Mirror.
A message on the Gov.uk website reads: "You do not need to apply. You’ll be paid automatically. If you have had a message asking you to apply or contact someone about the payment, this might be a scam."
For the first £326 payment, you will need to have been qualified for one of the list of means-tested benefits on May 25, 2022.
This includes:
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Child Tax Credit
-
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
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Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
-
Income Support
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Pension Credit
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Universal Credit
-
Working Tax Credit
The list of benefits where claimants aren't eligible for the £650 cost of living payments is:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- 'New style' Employment and Support Allowance
- Guardian's Allowance
- 'New style' Jobseeker's Allowance
- Maternity Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State Pension
- Statutory sick pay
- Statutory adoption, maternity, paternity and shared parental pay
If you get Housing Benefit, but no other benefit, you are also not eligible for the £650. This sounds surprising, because Housing Benefit is means-tested and so claimants should be due cost of living payments.
But if you only get Housing Benefit then HM Revenue & Customs cannot find you to pay you the money. Instead, the Chancellor has advised people in this position to apply to the Household Support Fund - a pot of emergency cash handed out by local councils to people in need.
I'm not eligible for the £650 - what help can I get?
If you claim certain disability benefits, there is a £150 cost of living payment due in September. Pensioners in receipt of Winter Fuel Payments will get an extra £300.
Every home in England, Scotland and Wales will also receive £400 off their energy bills, spread out over six months from October. Rather than a cash payment, the money will be applied directly to your energy account.
Direct debit and credit customers will have the money credited to their account, while those with pre-payment meters will have the money added to their meter or paid via a voucher. Support to people in Northern Ireland has not yet been announced.
The help on offer does vary, but can include cash grants and supermarket vouchers. Chancellor Rishi Sunak extended the Household Support Fund as part of a wider £15billion package to tackle the cost of living crisis.
Speak to your council to see what help it offers and if you’re eligible for support.
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