Millions of people hit hardest by the cost of living crisis have now received the UK Government's £324 cost of living payment. The Department for Work and Pensions began rolling out the payment earlier this month in the second instalment of a combined support package worth £650 for those on means-tested benefits such as universal credit. Around eight million people received the first payment of £326 back in July.
Those eligible for the money which the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said would be sent out between November 8 and 23 include people on universal credit, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, income support, and pension credit. To be eligible claimants must have been claiming and entitled to a payment between August 26 and September 25 with the exception of pensioner households who may be able to have a new pension credit claim backdated.
But although many will now have had the money arrive in their bank accounts some are yet to get it. And the DWP has confirmed this week that there are a number of reasons why people might not have received the payment despite being eligible. To get all the latest money-saving news straight to your inbox twice a week sign up here.
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Why have I not received my £324 payment yet?
Those who qualify for the £324 cost of living payment through tax credits only should be paid by Wednesday, November 30. The DWP said this group were being paid separately in order to avoid duplicate payments.
But those who claim income-based benefits like universal credit may get their £324 payment later than November 23 if their circumstances have changed. The DWP explained: "Your payment might come later, for example if you are awarded a qualifying benefit at a later date or you change the account your benefit or tax credits are paid into. You will still be paid the cost of living payment automatically and do not need to contact DWP or HMRC.
"For DWP claimants eligible for the £324 payment in a small minority of complex circumstances households may be paid after November 23 – for example if they were deemed unable to claim certain benefits but won backdated entitlement on appeal or where payments were rejected due to invalid account details. The DWP will seek to contact claimants directly in the very small minority of cases where there are issues or delays."
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