Just over one million households who receive Tax Credits will get the first half of their £650 cost of living payment from today.
The first instalment is worth £326 and will be paid between September 2 and 7, 2022.
Some 1.1million people who claim Tax Credits are eligible for this payment.
The money is being awarded to households who were eligible for a Tax Credits payment between April 26, 2022 and May 25, 2022.
You might also be eligible if you were later found to be entitled for a payment for this timeframe.
Your benefit payment or annual award must have been worth at least £26 to get the cost of living cash.
For joint claimants, where one person receives Working Tax Credit and the other receives Child Tax Credit, payments will be made into the same bank account as the Child Tax Credit benefit.
The payment will contain the reference “CL” followed by your National Insurance number followed by “0001AX”.
The second half of the £650 payment for those claiming Tax Credits - worth £324 - will arrive in the winter, although no set date has been announced.
Tax Credit households are receiving their cost of living payment slightly later than other benefit claimants.
Those who claim Universal Credit, income-related Employment Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support and Pension Credit started to receive £326 from July 14.
The second payment for these households - worth £324 - will be issued in the autumn.
Who is eligible for the £650 cost of living payment?
The £650 payment is only being awarded to those who claim means-tested benefits - so where your income and savings are taken into account.
This includes:
Child Tax Credit
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
Working Tax Credit
You must have been entitled, or later found to be entitled to a benefit payment, between April 26, 2022 and May 25, 2022 to get the cash.
I'm not eligible for the £650 - what help can I get?
Not everyone who claims benefits will be entitled to the £650 payment - so it is worth checking what other support you can get.
There is a £150 payment being made to those who claim certain disability benefits and £300 for pensioners in receipt of Winter Fuel Payments.
Households will also receive £400 off their energy bills, spread out over six months from October.
This money is applied to your energy bills and doesn’t need to be paid.
The Household Support Fund has also been extended again by another £500million.
You need to speak to your council to see what help it offers and if you’re eligible for support.
