Millions of people across the country are continuing to struggle amid the cost of living crisis as we approach the summer holidays and with food prices continuing to rise. The Government has introduced cost of living payments to help the households who are struggling the most.
Some of the DWP payments have been received by claimants but there’s more to come in this financial year later on - there are a number of key dates involving DWP payments.
Birmingham Live have set out who qualifies for the payments and how much they are worth. There are a number of benefits which can be applied for and a number of different payments coming out.
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Who qualifies for the £450 cost of living payments?
Households will get £301 as a means-tested benefit. There will also be a subsequent £150 for people on disability benefits, making a cumulative total of £450.
People receiving any of the following means-tested benefits have been given the £301 payment has been given to people receiving. They are described as means-tested because the amount given to a claimant depends on their income and savings. The seven benefits that are eligible are:
- Pension Credit
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
New Style ESA, contributory ESA, and New Style JSA do not qualify for the payment. Meanwhile, the £150 payment is for individuals receiving disability benefits. These are not means-tested and can be awarded even if you're working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.
There are nine benefits that qualify for this, and these are:
- 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
The LCWRA element of Universal Credit is awarded to those unable to work because of a disability or long-term health problem. However, those on LCWRA will have received the £301 because it is part of Universal Credit
What are the full cost of living payment key dates for 2023/2024?
- £301 paid between April 25 and May 17 for most people on DWP means-tested benefits
- £301 paid between May 2 and 9 for most people on HMRC tax credits and no other means-tested benefits
- £150 paid between June 20 and July 4 for people on disability benefits
- £300 paid during Autumn 2023 for people on means-tested benefits - no exact dates yet announced
- £300 paid in November and December to pensioners who get Winter Fuel Payment
- £299 paid during Spring 2024 for people on means-tested benefits - no exact dates yet announced
The £150 disability payment was paid out between June 20 and July 4. However, there may be some backdated payments that may be impacted according to the, DWP which explained: "Your payment might come later, for example if you’re awarded a qualifying benefit at a later date or you change the account your benefit is paid into. You will still be paid the cost of living payment automatically."
Anyone who has not received either sum but believes they are eligible can now log a missing payment report at the GOV.UK website.
