The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that it has processed 4.8million cost of living payments worth a total of more than £1.5 billion in the last two days to those on qualifying means-tested benefits. An estimated eight million payments of £324 are expected to be made before the payment window closes on November 23.
However, some members of the Daily Record Money Saving Scotland Facebook group have expressed concern that they have not yet received the crucial support, commenting that the first payment for £326 arrived on the first day of launch in July. It’s important for people waiting on the money to land in their bank account to be aware that payments will be made to most eligible claimants during the course of the payment schedule.
DWP has previously said it is staggering payments - in no particular order - due to the sheer volume of transactions being processed. However, one key detail everyone waiting on the support should take note of is that no payments are made on weekends - it's Monday to Friday only.
If your payment does not arrive today or tomorrow, it could be next week - but there’s no need to contact DWP or believe that it is missing or will not arrive.
It's worth remembering:
- If you received the first payment in July and your circumstances have not changed, you will receive the £324 payment before November 23
- If your circumstances have changed, or you’re a new claimant, or your benefit claim is going through the appeals process, your payment may arrive after the payment window closes on November 23
Nobody needs to apply for the second cost of living payment as it will be made automatically to eligible claimants
People claiming Tax Credits will receive the payment from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) between November 23 and 30
DWP estimates that by the end of November over 90% of recipients of the second payment will also have received the first payment of £326.
Eligible benefits for November £324 payment from DWP
You may get a payment of £324 if you get payments of any of the following:
- Universal Credit
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Tax Credits - must be claimed alongside one other DWP benefit in this list otherwise payment will be made later from HMRC
The payment will be made separately from your benefit.
If you have a joint claim with a partner, you will get one payment of £324 for your joint claim, if you’re entitled.
Benefits that do not qualify for £324 cost of living payment
You will not get a payment if you get New Style Employment and Support Allowance, contributory Employment and Support Allowance, or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance, unless you get Universal Credit.
Qualifying period
Universal Credit
You will be eligible for the second Cost of Living Payment of £324 if you were entitled to a payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) of Universal Credit for an assessment period that ended in the period August 26 2022 to September 25 2022.
Working Universal Credit claimants need to have been awarded at least 1p during the qualifying week to be eligible for the £324 payment - find out more here.
Income-based JSA, income-based ESA, Income Support and Pension Credit
You will be eligible for the second Cost of Living Payment of £324 if you were entitled to a payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) of income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Income Support or Pension Credit for any day in the period August 26 2022 to September 25 2022.
New claims for Pension Credit
People of State Pension age making a new claim for Pension Credit, worth on average £3,300 each year, will still qualify for the second payment as long as their application is received by December 18, 2022.
Pension Credit is a retrospective benefit, which means it can be backdated to three months - falling within the September 25 cut-off qualifying period.
Find out more about claiming Pension Credit here.
Full details can be found on GOV.UK here.
To keep up to date with the latest cost of living news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out four times each week - sign up here.
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