The Department of Work and Pensions has advised people to report their payment as "missing" if not received before November 23.
Around 7.3m payments have already been sent to households but millions more are still waiting for theirs to arrive. The DWP issued a warning that not everyone would be paid on the first day, the 8th, but they are urging people to "not be concerned."
Figures show around£2.3b has been paid out to over 99% of claimants across Britain but the DWP has said some may have to wait until November 23.
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Anyone who has still not received the payment after this date will be able to report it ‘missing’. DWP said it will then begin processing claims to “ensure outstanding payments reach those eligible as quickly as possible”, Daily Record reported.
DWP has also warned that there are also a small number of cases where an automated payment has not been possible, for example Universal Credit cases where benefit payments are split between a couple, or where the emergency payment system (EPS) cannot recognise their claim details. DWP said: “A dedicated team of agents are currently working through these cases to pay them manually.”
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has also confirmed that more than one million families, in receipt of Tax Credits and no other means-tested DWP benefit will see the £324 payment land in their bank or building society account between November 23 - 30.
Letters are going out this week to those in receipt of Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credit to inform them of the payments and eligibility - find out more here.
Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride said: “This Government promised to protect those on the lowest incomes, and it is great to be able to confirm that we have delivered on this commitment with our latest Cost of Living Payment reaching over seven million households in the last week alone.
“This payment is just part of a wider support package the Government has provided, with millions of families benefiting from a Council Tax rebate and pensioners across the country receiving winter fuel support as the weather gets colder and disabled people getting help with additional costs they face.
“We will continue to support the most vulnerable as we deal with the impact of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the pandemic.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt said: “We know families are struggling with the rising prices caused by Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. That is why we’ve delivered over seven million cash payments directly into the bank accounts of the most vulnerable households in just one week and will make over a million more to those on tax credits later this month.
“This is part of the £1,200 cash support we’re giving to the poorest members of society during this difficult period.”
He added: “At the upcoming Autumn Statement we will continue to prioritise helping the most vulnerable, as we make the tough decisions needed to drive down inflation and fix our public finances.”
Minister for Scotland John Lamont said: “I’m pleased to be able to confirm that almost 700,000 families in Scotland have now benefited from the latest Cost of Living payment.
“This reflects the UK Government’s continued commitment to support the lowest-income households in Scotland and throughout the UK through the current challenging period and beyond.”
£324 cost of living payment eligibility
To be eligible for the £324 cost of living payment, claimants must have been entitled to one of the qualifying benefits between August 26 and September 25, with the exception of pensioner households, who may be able to have a new Pension Credit claim backdated.
People of State Pension age have until December 18 to submit a new claim for the gateway benefit worth £3,300 extra a year on average, which could entitle them to the £324 cost of living payment.
Anyone can check their eligibility for Pension Credit using the online calculator here or by calling the freephone claim line on 0800 99 1234. DWP and HMRC are also reminding people that payments are made automatically and do not need to be claimed - if someone contacts you telling you otherwise, it’s most-likely a scam.
Payments will appear on bank statements with a reference including the recipients National Insurance number followed by:
- ‘DWP COL’ for those on DWP means-tested benefits
- ‘HMRC COLS’ for those on tax credits only
For full details on all the cost of living support, visit the GOV.UK website here.
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