Millions of UK households have started to receive the £301 cost of living payment for people on means-tested benefits.
This is the first instalment of the £900 cost of living payment, which is being sent out in stages over the next year.
The cash started to arrive in the bank accounts of those claiming Department for Work and Pension (DWP) benefits from April 25.
More than seven million households across the UK were paid the £301 by May 2 - but the deadline for all payments to be made is May 17.
The DWP said more than eight million households are eligible to receive the cash.
More than one million people on Tax Credits should have received their money between May 2 and May 9.
In order to receive the money, you need to have been entitled to payment for one of seven benefits between January 26 and February 25, 2023.
How do I know if I have been paid?
The cost of living payment will show as "DWP COLP" in your bank account along with your National Insurance number.
Your National Insurance number is nine digits long and starts with two letters, followed by six numbers and one letter.
The code for HMRC payments is very similar and will show as "HMRC COLS".
The benefits that entitle you to the £301 cost of living payment are:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
Some people could become eligible for the cost of living payment if they later backdate a benefit claim.
The DWP has said that those who put in a claim for Pension Credit before May 19 this year will be automatically eligible to get the first £301 payment.
This is because Pension Credit can be backdated for three months, which would then cover the earlier qualifying period for the cash.
Dates for the second and third installment of the £900 cost of living payments - set to be worth £300 and £299 - have also yet to be announced.
The second payment is due to be sent in autumn 2023, while the third payment will be sent in spring 2024.
All the cost of living payments will be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
I’m not entitled to the £900 cost of living payment - what other support is coming?
There will be a disability cost of living payment worth £150 being sent out during summer 2023.
This includes those in receipt of one of the following benefits:
Disability Living Allowance
Personal Independence Payment
Attendance Allowance
Scottish Disability Benefits
Armed Forces Independence Payment
Constant Attendance Allowance
War Pension Mobility Supplement
There will also be a £300 pensioner cost of living payment to all eligible households that get a Winter Fuel Payment.
The dates for both the £150 disability and £300 pensioner cost of living payments have not yet been confirmed.
