More than 7.2 million low-income households have received their first half of the £650 Cost of Living support payment.
Around eight million households qualify for the payment, including 397,000 in the North East of England, according to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). "This includes all families entitled to a payment of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Pension Credit," it adds.
The £650 payment is split into two instalments. The first £326 payments began arriving in bank accounts from July 14.
Read more: Universal Credit and other DWP benefit payment dates to change in August due to bank holiday
The DWP says most have already received their first instalment, but some may have to wait until July 31. The second instalment of £324 will be made at some point in the Autumn.
How to check payment references to see if you have received the first £326 half of £650 cost of living payment
Anybody eligible for the Cost of Living Payment will be paid automatically. The payment is per household.
To check if you've been paid, search for either a £326 deposit into your account. Or you can search for the payment reference.,
The DWP has confirmed the name of the payment reference for the £326 instalment.
The DWP says : "Those who are eligible should look out in their bank accounts for a payment of £326 with the reference “DWP Cost of Living” in their bank accounts. This payment is made automatically, meaning no one has to apply or do anything to receive it.
"Eligible claimants who have not received their payment yet should not be concerned, as the DWP expects some payments may take until 31 July 2022 to come through."
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