The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has clarified the key dates you need to have been entitled to benefits to ensure you get the first £301 cost of living payment.
And a Government minister has confirmed that you only need to have been paid 1p between January 26 and February 25 this year to be entitled to the first part of the £900 payout, with the second instalments due later this year and early next.
The DWP today announced that the first of three cost of living payments will start to be paid from April 25 for those on means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, with the other two due this Autumn and next Spring, totalling £900.
Read more: DWP announces exact date £301 cost of living payment will start to hit bank accounts
Around 395,000 eligible people in the North East should receive the money, with the first batch due to arrive between Tuesday, April 25 and Wednesday, May 17, according to the DWP. A spokesperson said that he was unable to narrow down the exact payment dates within the three-week window but confirmed that the two previous payments of £326 and £324 last year were mostly made within the first week and a half after the first possible date.
To be eligible for the payment, you need to have been entitled to a payment of at least 1p for one of these benefits between January 26 and February 25, or payment for an assessment period ending between these dates:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
The Government said keeping the rules simple helped them make over 30m cost of living payments last year. In a written statement, minister for social mobility, youth and progression Mims Davies wrote: "Keeping the rules for this policy simple enabled the Government to make over 30m separate payments to support with the cost of living while maintaining core benefit delivery in 2022. This includes the clear rule that you must be entitled to at least 1p of a qualifying social security benefit with respect to the qualifying period to receive a cost of living payment."
According to the guidance on GOV.UK, this will be the same rules for the 2023/24 payments.
Last year's payments to those claiming Universal Credit were made between July 14-31 and between November 8-21, with those claiming Tax Credits made slightly later. The DWP has indicated that the payments to those claiming Tax Credits will also be made slightly later this time. HMRC will publish details of when payments will be made to these customers along with the bank account payment reference.
Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “These payments will give a financial boost to more than 8m households as we continue to wrap our arms around the most vulnerable, while the best way we can protect people from high costs is to halve inflation by the end of this year. In the long-term, we know work is the best route out of poverty, which is why we recently announced additional Work Coach support to help more people find work or increase their hours. Anyone looking to boost their skills or progress their career should speak to their work coach to ensure they’re accessing all the support the DWP can provide.”
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