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The Government has confirmed the exact dates people will receive the cost of living payments as well as who is eligible for them. The first instalment of a series of cost of living payments worth up to £1,350 will be available in the coming weeks.
More than eight million households 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.
When will the cost of living support be issued?
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
Who is eligible for the cost of living payment?
People receiving certain benefits or tax credits are eligible for the cost of living payment.
The payments totalling to £900 will automatically be on offer for those receiving means-tested benefits.
This includes:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
- Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
- Income support
- Pension Credit
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credit.
Britons also have to have been eligible for these benefits by a certain date.
They will be eligible for the first cost of living payment if they were entitled to benefits for the assessment period between January 26 and February 25 (or the DWP finds that they were eligible during this time).
If someone gets both child tax credit and working tax credit they’ll only receive a cost of living payment for child tax credit.
If they get tax credits from HMRC and a benefit from the DWP, they’ll only receive the cost of living payment from the DWP.
Couples with a joint claim will only receive single payments of £301, £300 and £299 between them.
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.
People will receive a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024 if they were born before September 24, 1957.
The Government said it will update qualifying dates for payments in due time.
As the cost of living crisis continues, many families are urged to claim all the financial support available to them.
Millions of households across the country are set to benefit from the £1,350 cost of living payments over the next year.
For more information on financial support available, Britons are encouraged to check the Government website.
