The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed when those on Tax Credits will receive the first part of their cost of living payment.
Previously, those receiving Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits were advised the first instalment for £326 would be paid in the autumn. Those on Tax Credits are receiving both payments later than claimants on Universal Credit and other benefits to help prevent double payments.
DWP updated the UK Government’s official Cost of Living Payment guidance with the revised schedule stating that “most Tax Credits claimants will get the first Cost of Living Payment of £326 in September 2022”. The second payment for £324 will be made in the winter, but no specific timeframe has been released yet, reported Daily Record.
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Last month, DWP Minister for Welfare Delivery, David Rutley MP, said that over one million £326 cost of living payments will be made by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to eligible Tax Credit claimants. Below is a quick reminder of eligibility and qualifying criteria for the £650 means-tested cost of living payment plus details of the £150 disability cost of living payment also due to be paid to some six million people in September.
The £300 pensioner cost of living payment will be added to Winter Fuel Payments due to land in eligible household’s bank accounts over November and December.
Getting the £650 payment from HMRC if you only claim Tax Credits
To get the cost of living payment of £326 from HMRC, you must have received, or later receive, for any day in the period April 26, 2022 to May 25, 2022:
- A payment of Tax Credits
- An annual award of at least £26 of Tax Credits
If you get both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, you will receive a cost of living payment for Child Tax Credit only - this simply means you will not get a double payment. Remember, payments will be made automatically to eligible claimants in September and winter.
Am I eligible for a cost of living support payment?
Here is everything you need to know about the £326 cost of living payment - and all the other support coming this year - for people living in Scotland, England and Wales.
You could get up to three different types of payment depending on your circumstances on a particular date or during a particular period:
- £650 Cost of Living Payment - if you get a qualifying low income/means-tested benefit or Tax Credits - paid in two instalments of £326 and £324
- £150Disability Cost of Living Payment - if you get a qualifying disability benefit
- £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment - if you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023
Who does not qualify for the £650 payment?
You will not be eligible for a payment if you get New Style Employment and Support Allowance, Contributory Employment and Support Allowance or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance, unless you get Universal Credit.
Qualifying low income benefits
You may be eligible for a payment of £650 paid in two lump sums of £326 and £324 if you get payments of any of the following:
- Universal Credit
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
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 - if you are eligible.
Universal Credit
To get the first Cost of Living Payment of £326, you must have been entitled to a payment of at least 1p - or later found to be entitled to a payment - of Universal Credit for an assessment period that ended in the period April 26, 2022 to May 25, 2022.
DWP will update the guidance on GOV.UK when the UK Government has announced the qualifying dates to get the second payment of £324. The payment will be made separately from your benefit and will appear in your bank, building society or credit union account, or on your Payment Exception Service voucher receipt, as ‘DWP Cost of Living’.
Universal Credit ‘nil awards’
You will not be eligible for the £326 Cost of Living Payment if your earnings reduced your Universal Credit to £0 for the qualifying assessment period - this is sometimes called a ‘nil award’. If money has also been taken off for other reasons, such as payments of rent to your landlord or for money that you owe, you may still be eligible.
Income-based JSA, Income-based ESA, Income Support and Pension Credit
To get the first Cost of Living Payment of £326, you must have been entitled to a payment, or later found to be entitled to a payment, of Income-based JSA, Income-related ESA, Income Support or Pension Credit for any day in the period April 26, 2022 to May 25, 2022.
Backdated Cost of Living payments
Your payment may come later, for example if you are awarded a qualifying benefit at a later date or you change the account your benefit or Tax Credits are paid into. You will still be paid the Cost of Living Payment automatically and do not need to contact DWP or HMRC.
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