More than eight million people on means-tested benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) received the first part of the £650 cost of living payment worth £326 in July and September. The second instalment of £324 is due to be paid next month to those on DWP benefits and ‘shortly after’ for Tax Credits-only claimants.
Around six million people claiming disability benefits received a one-off payment for £150 in September, however, the DWP recently shared that over 161,000 people contacted them during August and September using the online tool on GOV.UK to report a missing cost of living payment. It said a team dealing with the issues has responded to over 90% of these queries to date.
SNP MP, Peter Grant, recently asked the DWP what steps were being taken to ensure all outstanding cost of living payments due to be paid are made "in full by the end of October 2022". Unfortunately, there is no guarantee these will be paid within that timeframe due to individual circumstances.
DWP said that payment would continue to be made "periodically" to people who have later been found to be eligible and have not yet received the money. These will be made automatically.
In a written response on October 17, Minister of State for Work and Welfare, Victoria Prentis MP, said: “The first £326 Cost of Living Payment and the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment have been paid automatically to those, who at the time, were eligible to receive it.
“However, there will continue to be cases where eligibility to a Cost of Living Payment has yet to be established due to an outstanding appeal decision for example.
“We will periodically make payments to people who have later been found to be eligible and have not yet received a payment. The payments will continue to be made automatically in the same way the qualifying benefit or Tax Credit is paid.”
How to report a missing cost of living payment
You can report a missing cost of living payment if you think you should have had one of the following payments but cannot see it in your bank, building society or credit union account:
- £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment
- £326 Cost of Living Payment for a low income DWP benefit or Tax Credits
You will need your National Insurance number to report a missing payment.
Report a missing cost of living payment on GOV.UK here.
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