The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has provided more guidance as people eagerly await to find out when they will get their first Cost of Living Payment.
Eligible people across the country who claim certain benefits or tax credits could receive up to five payments in order to help them cope with the rising cost of living crisis. Anyone who is considered eligible will not be required to apply for the payments and will instead get the money automatically, even if they've found to be eligible at a later date.
Here's everything you need to know about the DWP's upcoming cost of living payments...
Read more: DWP update on who's not eligible for £900 cost of living payments
Eligibility for those on low-income benefits and tax credits
According to the DWP, you may receive up to three cost of living payments of £301, £300, and £299 if you receive one of the following benefits or tax credits:
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
The DWP has not yet made it clear what the qualifying dates are for these benefits and tax credits.
When will the payments be made to those on benefits and tax credits?
The DWP has not yet announced the specific dates for when eligible people will receive their money. However, it does give the following rough guides:
- £301 paid during spring 2023 for most people
- £300 paid during autumn 2023 for most people
- £299 paid during spring 2024 for most people
It's important to note that you may receive a payment later than this depending on your circumstances. For example if you're awarded a qualifying benefit at a later date or change the account your benefits or tax credits are paid into then your payment may be delayed.
Eligibility and date for Disability Cost of Living Payment
You may also receive some extra money ontop of the £900 payment with a Disability Cost of Living Payment worth £150. According to the DWP, you must claim one of the following benefits during a yet unannounced qualifying period:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
The DWP has said that most people will be paid the Disability Cost of Living payment during the summer of 2023.
Eligibility and date for Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
An extra payment worth between £150 and £300 will be issued to anyone entitled to a Witner Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024. According to the DWP, this payment will be made from November 2023.
How much you receive from this payment will depend on when you were born and your circumstances during the yet unannounced qualifying dates. You may get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024 if you were born before 24 September 1957.
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