Millions of people will start receiving extra money into their bank accounts this week as the government addresses soaring living costs. Around eight million people are set to start receiving £326 from July 14, the first instalment of a £650 cost of living package a nnounced last month by the UK government in a bid to help those hardest hit by the ongoing cost of living crisis.
However, due to the number of people receiving the payments, they will be staggered over the course of the month meaning you might not get your money straight away. A second payment of £324 will follow in the autumn, with a date to be confirmed.
Depending on which benefits you claim and other factors such as your income, whether you have a disability or are a pensioner, you will also be entitled to further help. We've taken a look at the latest DWP guidance and broken down exactly what financial support you can get and when you can get it.
Read more: Cost of living payment: The people who will and won’t receive £326 from July 14
£650 Cost of living payment
Around eight million households will receive the £650 cost of living payment. However, some will only receive part of the payment, while others will get the second but at a later date. To get the first payment of £326, you must have received, or later receive, benefits for any day in the period April 26, 2022 to May 25, 2022. If you haven't claimed universal credit yet you might still be able to get the second payment of £324, coming in the autumn, but you need to apply immediately. Here's how it works depending on what benefits you claim, what you'll get and when:
Universal credit - £326 Between July 14 and 31 for most people and £324 in autumn 2022
Income-based Jobseeker's allowance - £326 between July 14 and 31 for most people and £324 autumn 2022
Income-related employment and support allowance - £326 between July 14 and 31 for most people and £324 in autumn 2022
Income support - £326 between July 14 and 31 for most people and £324 in autumn 2022
Pension credit - £326 between July 14 and 31 for most people and £324 in autumn 2022
Tax credits - £326 from autumn 2022 and £324 from winter 2022
Disability cost of living payment
Around six million people who receive disability benefits will get a one-off cost of living payment of £150 by the end of September. It will be given to those on the following benefits:
- Attendance allowance
- Constant attendance allowance
- Disability living allowance for adults
- Disability living allowance for children
- Personal independence payment
- Armed Forces independence payment
- War pension mobility supplement
You must have received a payment (or later receive a payment) of one of these qualifying benefits for May 25 to get the payment. Those who receive means tested benefits will receive the £150 on top of the £650 cost of living payment.
Pensioner cost of living payment
If you’re entitled to a winter fuel payment for winter 2022 to 2023, you will get an extra £300 for your household paid with your normal payment from November 2022. This is in addition to any cost of living payment you get with your benefit or tax credits. The winter fuel payment is intended to help those over the state pension age pay their heating bills during the coldest months. You can read more about it and find out if you qualify here.
The full amount of winter fuel payment you will get for winter 2022 to 2023 depends on your circumstances. The amounts for winter 2022 to 2023 are:
Born between September 26, 1942 and 25 September 25, 1956:
You qualify and live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify: £500
You qualify and live with someone under 80 who also qualifies: £250
You qualify and live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies: £250
You qualify and live with a partner who qualifies, and either of you gets certain benefits: £500 - only one of you will get the payment
You qualify and live with someone (not your partner) who qualifies, and either of you gets certain benefits: £500 - you’ll both get the payment
You qualify, live in a care home and do not get certain benefits: £250
Born on or before September 25, 1942:
You qualify and live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify: £600
You qualify and live with someone under 80 who also qualifies: £350
You qualify and live with someone 80 or over who also qualifies: £300
You qualify and live with a partner who qualifies, and either of you gets certain benefits: £600 - only one of you will get the payment
You qualify and live with someone (not your partner) who qualifies, and either of you gets certain benefits: £600 - you’ll both get the payment
You qualify, live in a care home and do not get certain benefits: £300
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