DWP issue update to people who think they should have had a first £326 Cost of Living Payment

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has provided an update for everyone expecting to receive a £326 cost of living update.

You may be eligible for extra financial support from the government if you claim benefits or tax credits, according to the government. If you are eligible, the cost of living payment will be made automatically to the same bank account that receives benefit or tax credit payments.

If you receive certain tax credits and believe you should have received a £326 cost of living payment but have not yet received it, the DWP has now updated its guidance. The new guidance allows for tax credits claimants to notify HMRC that they believe they should be in possession of a cost of living payment from the government.

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A spokesman said: "Tax credits claimants can now let HMRC know if they think they should have had the £326 Cost of Living Payment, but cannot see it in their bank, building society or credit union account."

However, it's important to note that tax credits recipients should expect to receive their payments a little later than those on other benefits. For example, the first cost of living payment of £326 was rolled out for most tax credit recipients between September 2 and 7.

However, those receiving income-based JSA and income support received their first payment of £324 in July. Nonetheless, if you are on tax credits and have not yet received a cost of living payment this month, you can report a missing payment to the government here.

Which tax credit recipients are eligible for the cost of living payment?

In order to receive the first cost of living payment - worth £326 - you must have been entitled, or later found to be entitled, for any day between April 26, 2022 to May 25, 2022, to payment of tax credits or an annual award of at least £26 of tax credits.

If you receive both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, you will receive a cost of living payment for the Child Tax Credit only. Similarly, if you receive tax credits from HMRC as well as a low-income benefit from the DWP, you will only receive a cost of living payment from the DWP.

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