Millions of households will receive payments this week to help ease the cost of living burdens.
The third installment of the Department Work and Pensions' (DWP) £900 cost of living payment will be made to those eligible on a means-tested basis in the UK as part of a wider support package.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: “Inflation has halved, but I know some families are particularly vulnerable to cost-of-living pressures, which is why these payments are so important.”
Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:⯔We will always protect the most vulnerable, while ensuring fairness for the taxpayer.
“We know that the best way to secure long-term financial security is through employment, so we’re rolling out the next generation of welfare reforms to put thousands more people on a pathway off benefits and into work.”
When is the next cost of living payment?
A payment of £299 will be made to around 8 million eligible households from tomorrow (Tuesday, February 6) and Thursday, February 22.
Missing benefits can then be reported from December 23, however, eligible people do not generally need to apply or take any action to receive it.
The payment will follow people receiving their £301 and £300 Cost of Living Payments - and a £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment already during 2023.
Who is eligible?
The full list of benefits qualifying people for the February payment includes those on certain benefits such as Universal Credit.
Those eligible would have been entitled to a payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) of income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Income Support or Pension Credit for any day from 13 November 2023 to 12 December 2023.
The DWP has encouraged low-income pensioners who are not already receiving Pension Credit to check their eligibility, as they could still qualify for the cost-of-living payment.
How to avoid scams
The Government has issued a warning about scams ahead of the payment and told people to caution themselves from those purporting to be from Government bodies. This is especially the case if people are being asked to contact others about the payment or to make applications.
And should individuals suspect money has been lost or they have been hacked because of an online scam or fraud, it is advisable they contact Action Fraud. If based in England or Wales, people can report the issue online.
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