The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) delivered cost of living payments worth more than £2 billion to 6.4 million eligible claimants over four days last week. More than eight million payments of £324 are expected to be made before the end of November to those on benefits delivered by DWP and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Payments for the second round of cost of living support started on November 8 to those on qualifying means-tested benefits including Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support and income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment Support Allowance. No payments were made over the weekend, but are set to resume today (November 14) and will continue until November 23.
People in receipt of Tax Credits along with another means-tested benefit are also receiving the financial support during this payment window. However, those only claiming Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits and no other qualifying benefit from DWP, will receive the payment directly from HMRC between November 23 and 30.
Delayed and failed payments
DWP has previously said it is staggering payments - in no particular order - due to the sheer volume of transactions being processed.
However, it’s important to be aware that DWP has warned that “a small proportion of automated payments may fail”.
This may be due to the wrong bank or building society account details being held on file by DWP or HMRC, or if the account has been closed.
DWP and HMRC have reassured claimants that they have “robust processes in place to ensure that all eligible claimants will receive their payments, with manual workarounds in place if necessary”.
If you are expecting a payment from DWP and it does not arrive today, just remember that the money is being paid until November 23. There’s no need to contact DWP or believe that it is missing or will not arrive.
Key points about £324 cost of living payment
- If you received the first payment in July and your circumstances have not changed, you should receive the £324 payment before November 23
- If your circumstances have changed, or you’re a new claimant, or your benefit claim is going through the appeals process, your payment may arrive after the payment window closes on November 23
Nobody needs to apply for the second cost of living payment as it will be made automatically to eligible claimants
People claiming Tax Credits will receive the payment from HMRC between November 23 and 30
DWP estimates that by the end of November over 90% of recipients of the second payment will also have received the first payment of £326.
Tax Credits-only payments
Tax Credits-only payments are due to arrive after DWP payments to ensure no duplication of £324 payments which would result in an overpayment that would need to be ra-paid.
Eligible benefits for November £324 payment from DWP
You may get a payment of £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
- Tax Credits - must be claimed alongside one other DWP benefit in this list otherwise payment will be made later from HMRC
The payment will be made separately from your benefit.
If you have a joint claim with a partner, you will get one payment of £324 for your joint claim, if you’re entitled.
Benefits that do not qualify for £324 cost of living payment
You will not get a payment if you get New Style Employment and Support Allowance, contributory Employment and Support Allowance, or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance, unless you get Universal Credit.
Qualifying period
Universal Credit
You will be eligible for the second Cost of Living Payment of £324 if you were entitled to a payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) of Universal Credit for an assessment period that ended in the period August 26 2022 to September 25 2022.
Working Universal Credit claimants need to have been awarded at least 1p during the qualifying week to be eligible for the £324 payment - find out more here.
Income-based JSA, income-based ESA, Income Support and Pension Credit
You will be eligible for the second Cost of Living Payment of £324 if you were entitled to a payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) of income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Income Support or Pension Credit for any day in the period August 26 2022 to September 25 2022.
New claims for Pension Credit
People of State Pension age making a new claim for Pension Credit, worth on average £3,300 each year, will still qualify for the second payment as long as their application is received by December 18, 2022.
Pension Credit is a retrospective benefit, which means it can be backdated to three months - falling within the September 25 cut-off qualifying period.
Find out more about claiming Pension Credit here.
Full details can be found on GOV.UK here.
To keep up to date with the latest cost of living news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out four times each week - sign up here.
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