The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued an update for the households that are still waiting for the first half of their £650 Cost of Living payment.
So far, over 7.2 million payments of £326 have been issued to struggling households, according to the DWP. In total, it means around £2.4bn has been paid out to families across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
With the first payments being made on July 14, it means the government has paid an average of over a million families every working day since. It comes as part of the government's £37 billion support package which will see millions receiving £1,200 this year to help with rising costs, including the £650 Cost of Living payment and a £150 Council Tax rebate.
In total, over eight million families will be eligible for the cost of living payments. Those who are eligible do not need to apply for the payment and it will be administered automatically by the DWP.
The DWP said people still waiting for the first half of their payment "should not be concerned". If you are eligible for the payment but have not yet received it, it may arrive later this month.
The DWP said: "The DWP expects some payments may take until 31 July to come through." The payment will appear in people's bank accounts with the reference "DWP Cost of Living".
Work and Pensions Secretary, Thérèse Coffey said: “This Government said that we would protect those on the lowest incomes, and we have delivered what we said with over 7 million households receiving £326 in the last week. There is more help to come for households, with the second half of the £650 payment arriving later this year and further payments for pensioners and disabled people also on the way.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nadhim Zahawi said: “I know that people are finding things difficult with rising prices and increasing pressure on household budgets. That’s why we’re taking action to control inflation and providing immediate help for households.
"It’s so important that over 7 million vulnerable households have received £326 direct payments so far and there is also more help to come, with 8 million of the most vulnerable households receiving £1,200 of direct support to help with bills over the winter.”
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