A £324 payment to support families in Northern Ireland during the Cost of Living crisis will roll out from today.
Those eligible to receive the second cost of living payment from today, Tuesday November 8, include people on Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support and Pension Credit.
It is the second Cost of Living payment and will see almost one in four families across the UK receiving the money.
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DWP claimants will receive the second Cost of Living payment by November 23, and eligible tax credit claimants, on no other means-tested benefits, will receive it between and November 23 and 30. Payments will automatically be made to everyone eligible, with no need for anyone to apply.
The payment reference on DWP recipients’ bank accounts will be their national insurance number, followed by “DWP COL”. For HMRC recipients the payment reference will be “HMRC COLS”.
Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris said: "The UK Government is committed to helping those most in need in Northern Ireland, with cost of living support reaching Northern Ireland families this month.
"The payment will help them through this challenging time as they face rising costs and shows the UK Government delivering for the most vulnerable in our society."
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: "We understand that people are struggling and that is why we’ve consistently acted to ensure millions of low-income families are supported. We will continue to act with compassion as we navigate challenging global economic circumstances.
"As part of a wider £37 billion package of support, this latest £324 payment will help the most vulnerable people in our society who are worrying about their finances through the winter months."
To be eligible, claimants must have been claiming and entitled to a payment between August 26 and September 25, with the exception of pensioner households, who may be able to have a new Pension Credit claim backdated.
They have until December 18 to submit a valid claim for Pension Credit, which could entitle them to the £324 Cost of Living payment. Anyone can check their eligibility for Pension Credit using the online calculator or by calling the freephone claim line on 0800 99 1234.
Even if you are not on a qualifying DWP benefit you may still be eligible for the £324 payment, as HMRC are also making payments to over a million people who receive Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit and no other eligible benefits. These will be paid between 23 and 30 November and customers do not need to contact the government or apply for the payment at any stage.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt added: "Prices are rising across the world as we manage the aftershock of Covid-19 and Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. We recognise that families back home are struggling, which is why we’ve taken decisive action to hold down energy bills this winter, and provided hundreds of pounds of cash support for each vulnerable household.
"As part of that support, over 8 million vulnerable households - almost a quarter of families in the UK - will automatically receive a second cost of living payment worth £324 in their bank account from today.
"And while we can’t completely protect people from rising prices, my priority at the upcoming Autumn Statement will be to protect the poorest in society as we take the tough decisions necessary to fix our public finances."
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