The Department for Work and Pension (DWP) has issued an update for when people can expect changes to the eligibility criteria for new cost of living payments this year.
The government will offer financial help worth up to £1,350 for low-income households as well as those claiming disability benefits and pensioners. While the payments are expected to be handed out for 2023/24, only the payment schedule for the £900 cost of living payment has been released.
The £900 payment will be spread across three instalments alongside a £150 disability payment and a £300 pensioner payment. While we know that the first payment will arrive in Spring, specific details surrounding payment windows and qualifying period are yet to be released, the Daily Record reports.
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The DWP has said that "further details on eligibility criteria for cost of living payments will be detailed" in legislation which will be introduced in Parliament in the early part of 2023. The response came following a query from Alba MP Neale Hanvey, who asked when the DWP plans to publish the eligibility criteria for the 2023-24 cost of living payments.
In a written response this week, Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, Mims Davies MP, said: “Primary legislation will be introduced early in 2023 as soon as Parliamentary time allows, and further details on eligibility criteria for Cost of Living payments will be detailed in that legislation.”
Cost of living payment schedule 2023/24
This is the payment schedule for people receiving DWP benefits. People who are eligible for any of the below Cost of Living Payments and receive Tax Credits, and no other means-tested benefits, will receive their payment from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shortly after DWP payments are issued.
£900 means-tested cost of living payment
- £301 - first payment to be made during Spring 2023
- £300 – second payment to be made during Autumn 2023
- £299 - third payment to be made during Spring 2024
This will be paid to eligible households receiving the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit - paid by HMRC if no other DWP means-tested benefit is also claimed
- Child Tax Credit - paid by HMRC if no other DWP means-tested benefit is also claimed
This payment will be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
£150 disability cost of living payment
- £150 - this one-off payment will be made during Summer 2023
This will be paid to eligible claimants receiving the following benefits:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
This payment will be tax-free and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
£300 Pensioner Payment
- £300 - this will be added to annual Winter Fuel Payments during Winter 2023/24
In total, pensioner households could get an income boost of £1,350 during 2023/24.
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