The government has confirmed that it will soon pay out the first instalment of a series of Cost of Living payments worth up to £1,350 in the coming weeks.
More than eight million households across the country claiming means-tested benefits will automatically receive the first payment of £301 Between April 25 and May 17. An extra payment worth £150 will also be handed out to over 6.5 million claimants on disability benefits this summer.
Overall, five cost of living payments are scheduled across the 2023/24 tax year and will cover vulnerable households, pensioners, and those living with physical and mental disabilities.
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Who will be eligible for the full £1,350 cost of living support?
According to the DWP, the payment timetable is as follows:
- £301 – First 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment –Between April 25 and May 17 for most claimants
- £150 – 2023 Disability Payment – during Summer 2023
- £300 – Second 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment – during Autumn 2023
- £300 – 2023 Pensioner Payment – during Winter 2023/4
- £299 – Third 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2024
Eligibility for benefits and Tax credits payment
The payments totalling to £900 will automatically be on offer for those receiving means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit and Tax Credits. The full list of benefits eligible for the £900 include the following:
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
You must have received a payment for one of these payments during the quality period between January 26, 2023 and February 25, 2023.
Eligibility for disability and pensioner cost of living payment
Meanwhile, an additional £450 will be available for those eligible for summer's disability payment as well as winter's pensioner payment - equating to £1,350. According to the DWP, up to 5.4 million households in the UK are believed to qualify for these benefits, and in turn, qualify for the cost of living payments.
To be eligible for the disability cost of living payment worth £150, you must have received a payment for one of the following during a yet unannounced qualifying period:
- 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 will receive a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024 if you were born before 24 September 1957. The government said it will update qualifying dates for payments in due time.
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