The DWP has rejected a call to move Cost of Living Payments forward to April 1.
A £900 Cost of Living Payment will be paid to those on means tested benefits in three installments this year with the first £301 payment taking place this Spring, however the exact dates of this are yet to be revealed.
An amendment proposed during the second reading of the Social Security (Additional Payments) (No.2) Bill on Monday, by Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain called for all eligible claimants receive their payments “no later than 1 April 2023”.
READ MORE: Update on DWP Cost of Living payments that are due in the coming weeks
The East Fife MP told the House of Commons: “Additional support for struggling families is much welcomed, and I am pretty sure that no one in the Committee would oppose the provision of more help through the Bill.
“What my amendment seeks to do is ensure that those struggling families receive that support now, rather than having to wait. It has been a long cold winter, and we are expecting another cold snap this week, so it certainly is not over yet.”
DWP Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, Mims Davies MP took the opportunity to clear up any confusion about the ‘April 30‘ reference in relation to qualifying periods in the Bill. She explained that the qualifying days for each of the cost of living payments will be specified in secondary regulations, which will help to “minimise work disincentives and fraud risks”.
Referring to Ms Chamberlain’s amendment proposal, she explained that April 30 are backstop dates. This means the latest possible qualification dates that could be set out in regulations.
Ms Davies said: “Bringing those dates forward could not achieve the amendment’s desired effect, although I understand the sentiment.
“In any event, making all cost of living payments by 1 April 2023 would not support our ambition to spread the support through 2023 and into 2024.
“In fact, we have increased the number of payments from those made in 2022, having listened and engaged with the feedback from MPs across the land.
“This ensures that as many people as possible will qualify for a payment at some point, including those who become entitled to a qualifying benefit later in the year and those whose earnings fluctuate from month to month.
“Making all the payments in one lump sum would mean that more people miss out.”
She added: “I understand the hon. Lady’s point, but I must be robust in saying that we simply cannot do what she suggests, as it runs contrary to what we should be doing in spreading out support for the most vulnerable.
“It is also the total opposite of the Select Committee’s request for more payments.”
Ms Chamberlain later withdrew her amendment proposal.
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