The Government has today issued an update for anyone expecting a £326 cost of living payment. You may be able to get a payment to help with the cost of living if you’re getting certain benefits or tax credits.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits. This includes if you’re found to be eligible for a Cost of Living Payment or a Disability Cost of Living Payment at a later date.
You could get up to 3 different types of payment depending on your circumstances on a particular date or during a particular period:
- a Cost of Living Payment, if you get a qualifying low income benefit or tax credits
- a Disability Cost of Living Payment, if you get a qualifying disability benefit
- a Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, if you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023
These payments are not taxable and will not affect the benefits or tax credits you get.
You may get a payment of £650 paid in 2 lump sums of £326 and £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
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
On Friday, September 16, the Department for Work and Pensions issued an update for anyone expecting a payment who has not yet had it.
A spokesman said: "Tax credits claimants can now let HMRC know if they think they should have had the £326 Cost of Living Payment, but cannot see it in their bank, building society or credit union account."
Your payment might come later, for example if you are awarded a qualifying benefit at a later date or you change the account your benefit or tax credits are paid into. You will still be paid the Cost of Living Payment automatically and do not need to contact DWP or HMRC.
DWP and HMRC are using a computer program to identify those eligible to receive a Cost of Living Payment.
If you think you should have had the £326 payment, but you cannot see it in your bank, building society or credit union account, you can report a missing Cost of Living Payment on this Government page.
When you’ll be paid
| Benefit or tax credits | Cost of Living Payment | When you’ll be paid |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Credit | £326 | Between 14 and 31 July 2022 for most people |
| |
£324 | Autumn 2022 |
| Income-based JSA | £326 | Between 14 and 31 July 2022 for most people |
| |
£324 | Autumn 2022 |
| Income-related ESA | £326 | Between 14 and 31 July 2022 for most people |
| |
£324 | Autumn 2022 |
| Income Support | £326 | Between 14 and 31 July 2022 for most people |
| |
£324 | Autumn 2022 |
| Pension Credit | £326 | Between 14 and 31 July 2022 for most people |
| |
£324 | Autumn 2022 |
| Tax Credits | £326 | Between 2 and 7 September 2022 for most people |
| |
£324 | From winter 2022 |
