Millions of people on means-tested benefits are eagerly awaiting an update on the payment date for the second round of cost of living support worth £324, with many online forums and media outlets reporting different dates throughout October for when it will arrive. However, these are just speculative as there has been no confirmed update on the payment window from either the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The only confirmed payment period for people eligible for the £324 lump sum is ‘Autumn 2022’ for those in receipt of a qualifying DWP benefit, or, ‘from Winter 2022’ for people only receiving Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits.
The confusion may have arisen from the Social Security (Additional Payments) Act 2022 section titled, ‘ Means-tested additional payments: main payments’, which states: “The qualifying day for the second payment will be no later than 31.10.22, to be specified by the Secretary of State in regulations." This is not a payment date and no qualifying period for the second payment has been announced yet.