People waiting for the second instalment of their cost of living payment are due to start being paid it next week. However only a "small number" will receive the money on the first day, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has said.
The £324 payment is the second half of the Government's £650 support for people on low incomes, which was announced by then Chancellor Rishi Sunak earlier this year. It is scheduled to begin being sent to people on certain benefits - including Universal Credit - from November 8.
However, the DWP says that most people won't be paid it on this day, with "numbers increasing significantly" from November 9 onwards. Most people should receive the funds no later than November 23 though, The Chronicle reports. Meanwhile, those on Tax Credits and some legacy benefits, are due to be paid slightly later, from November 23-30.
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The first instalment of £326 was made to most claimants in July, and many people were worried when they didn't receive the funds on the first day they were due. So this time, the DWP is looking to warn people that they may not get the money straight away, but it is coming.
The cost of living payment is being made to 8.2 million households - nearly one in four in the UK - at a cost of £5.4 billion. Around 6.3 million people on qualifying disability benefits are getting a one-off £150 disability cost of living payment, of around £900 million.
People on legacy benefits will receive the money after November 23 to avoid duplication if families are transferring to Universal Credit. In a small number of complex situations, people may be paid later.
For instance, if they were deemed unable to claim benefits but then won backdated entitlement on appeal, or if payments didn't go through due to invalid account details. The DWP says it will contact people directly if there are any issues or delays.
To receive the cost of living payment, you must have been receiving on of the following benefits between August 16 2022 and September 25 2022:
- Universal Credit
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
The funds will be sent separately to your regular benefits and the date your monthly payment is due has no bearing on when the £324 payment is made. Work and Pensions Secretary Chloe Smith said: "Millions of families will soon see a £324 cash boost as part of our extensive £1,200 support package, helping to raise incomes and manage the rising cost of living.
"We understand that people are struggling which is why and we’re committed to supporting the most vulnerable households. That’s also why we are focused on driving growth and delivering quality public services so we can continue to support those in need through these challenging times while boosting opportunity for all."
The £650 payment was announced in May as part of the cost of living relief package unveiled by the Government. The package also included a £300 payment for low-income pensioners in November and December, paid alongside the Winter Fuel Payment, and £150 to people receiving certain disability benefits, which went out in September.
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