Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Business
Levi Winchester

All we know so far about the second half of the £650 cost of living payment


The first half of the £650 cost of living payment has been hitting the bank accounts of Brits across the country.

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.

Tax Credit households will get this money a little later, with the first half of the £650 expected to be issued from September.

But when is the second half of the cost of living payment - worth £324 - due to be sent?

Here is everything we know so far - plus other support you might be entitled to.

DON'T MISS:

Three dead and one is critical after lightning strike near the White House

HMRC confirms exact month 1.1million households will get £326 cost of living payment

Family thought their dad 'wasn't right' on holiday and just three months later he died
The first half of the £650 cost of living payment is being sent out (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

When will the second half of the £650 be sent?

The Government has yet to confirm the exact date of when the £324 will be issued to eligible households.

At the moment, the guidance states that people claiming Universal Credit, income-related Employment Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support and Pension Credit will get the second half in the autumn.

Tax credit households can expect the second half of the payment in the winter.

Who is eligible for the second half of the £650?

The qualifying period for claiming the first half of the cost of living payment is between April 26, 2022 to May 25, 2022.

You might still be eligible if you were later found to be eligible for a benefit on this date.

The Government has yet to confirm the qualifying period for the second half of the £650 cost of living payment.

This means someone who recently started claiming one of the benefits may end up being entitled to the later £324 payment.

At the moment, we don’t know what the qualifying period for the second payment will be.

Does the cost of living payment affect my benefits?

No. These payments are not taxable and will not affect the benefits or tax credits you get.

Do we get two payments if I have a joint benefit claim?

No. If you have a joint claim with a partner, you will get one payment of £326 and one payment of £324 for your joint claim.

Why are the cost of living payments different amounts?

The payments are slightly different so the Government can tell them apart.

This means that it will be simpler to determine if a payee received the correct amount on the right date.

I'm not eligible for the £650 - what help can I get?

There are two other one-off payments being made to vulnerable households.

This includes £150 for those who claim certain disability benefits and £300 for pensioners in receipt of Winter Fuel Payments.

Every home in England, Scotland and Wales will also receive £400 off their energy bills, spread out over six months from October.

The Household Support Fund has also been extended again by another £500million.

Some of the help that is offered through the Household Support Fund includes money towards your bills and supermarket vouchers.

The support does vary between councils - as well as the eligibility criteria.

READ MORE:    Brits waiting for £326 cost of living payments urged to beware of scammers
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.