Millions of claimants on Universal Credit and other benefits will get a payment of £326 from today to help with the soaring cost of living.
The cash is the first half of the £650 being paid out by the Government to help people on means-tested benefits.
The Government said one in four eligible households will get the £326 today, with most of the rest being paid by the end of July.
The second half of the £650 will be paid later this year.
But the way the scheme works is complicated. Many people will not get the £650, and others will get their payments late.
Do you have a question about Government cost of living help? Message mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
Here we will answer all your questions about how the £650 cost of living payments work - including who gets it, who doesn't and what to do if you are due cash you don't receive.
Q: What is the £650 cost of living payment?
A: This is a pot of Government cash meant to help ease the pressure of the cost of living crisis - particularly soaring energy bills.
It was announced in May by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.
Q: Who gets these payments?
A: The £650 payment is only being given out to those who claim means-tested benefits - so where your income and savings are taken into account.
For the July payment, you will need to have been qualified for one of the list of means-tested benefits on May 25, 2022.
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
Q: Who doesn't get the £650 payments?
A: In short, anyone on benefits which are not means-tested.
The list of benefits where claimants aren't eligible for the £650 cost of living payments is:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- 'New style' Employment and Support Allowance
- Guardian's Allowance
- 'New style' Jobseeker's Allowance
- Maternity Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State Pension
- Statutory sick pay
- Statutory adoption, maternity, paternity and shared parental pay
If you get Housing Benefit, but no other benefit, you are also not eligible for the £650.
This sounds surprising, because Housing Benefit is means-tested and so claimants should be due cost of living payments.
But if you only get Housing Benefit then HM Revenue & Customs cannot find you to pay you the money.
Instead, the Chancellor has advised people in this position to apply to the Household Support Fund - a pot of emergency cash handed out by local councils to people in need.
Those who claim Tax Credits - so Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit - are expected to get their £650 cost of living payment slightly later.
Tax Credits claimants will receive their first payment in autumn, with a second payment to follow in winter.
Q: What should I do if I don't get my £326 payment this month?
A: You should get the money by the end of July if you're eligible.
However, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has warned of possible delays.
If you haven't had your £326 by July 31 and have not heard from the DWP, their advice is to contact the office which pays your benefit.
Q: When is the second half of the £650 being paid?
A: In the Autumn - but we don't yet know exactly when.
Q: Do I get the £650 payments if I receive the State Pension?
Terence Ellis asks: "I get the full State Pension and council tax and rent allowance, same as people who get pension credit who haven't paid all their National Insurance stamps .So I've paid a lot of money but won't get the £650 cost of living payment. Is this correct and fair?"
A: Unfortunately that is correct - whether it is fair is another matter.
There are large groups of people that are sidelined with the Government £650 cost of living help.
However, you are eligible for a £300 pensioner cost of living payment in November or December 2022 if you also qualify for Winter Fuel Payment.
You will also get the £400 energy bill rebate next year if you are a billpayer with a meter.
You should also get the £150 council tax rebate if you are in tax bands A to D.
Q: Do I get help if I am not on benefits?
One Mirror reader emailed in to ask: "Is there any help for people who don’t claim any benefits but are on low incomes? My partner and I both work full time and are now selling practically anything to make ends meet. We’re both exhausted, tired, becoming more mentally Ill and depressed and had enough of this self-serving Government. We also have two young daughters. It’s people like us who get nothing! We deserve a break."
A: We are very sorry to hear of your situation.
I am afraid that it seems that your situation means you do not qualify for the £650 cost of living payments - which is the biggest pot of Government cash on offer.
The Government is prioritising people on means-tested benefits, but if you don't quite qualify for those you don't get any part of the £650 payments.
However, you will get the £400 energy bill rebate next year if you are a billpayer, plus and the £150 council tax rebate if you are in tax bands A to D.
You can also turn to your local council's Household Support Fund if you are struggling.
Q: Do I get the £650 if I get Universal Credit but I work?
A viewer on today's Mirror Money Facebook Live session asked: "Do you get it if you're working and on Universal Credit?
A: Yes. Provided you qualified for Universal Credit before May 25, 2022, you will get the money.
It doesn't matter if you are working or not - you still get the cash.
Q: Can I get the £650 payments if I live with my parents?
Another Facebook Live viewer asked: "Can I get if I live with my mum?"
A: Not necessarily.
It all depends on whether you or your mum get one of the means-tested benefits listed above.
If you don't, you are unfortunately not due to get the £650.
However, your mum may be able to get a £300 pensioner cost of living payment later this year if she is old enough.
Of course, you can also get the £400 energy bill rebate and £150 council tax rebate too if you qualify - and the Household Support Fund too.
Q: Do I get anything if I'm on Universal Credit and other benefits?
One reader asks: "I am on Universal Credit and have been for over a year, and by reading the criteria to qualify for the payment I should be able to get it. The reason I am asking this question though is because I also get PIP, so does that mean I will not be able to get the payment?"
A: Yes - you will get the £650 based on the Universal Credit alone and the PIP does not disqualify you.
