Cost of living payments have been issued across Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Energy prices and food costs are rising with many concerned at how they will make ends meet. The energy price cap is set to hit £3549 in October and if this goes ahead, reports from York University suggest three-quarters of Scottish households will face fuel poverty.
While the new Prime Minister Liz Truss is expected to lower the cap to £2,500, it will still be higher than what most are paying now. Cost of living payments have been issued to thousands of households, with those on tax credits receiving their first payment this month.
READ MORE- Mum on £65,000 salary faces backlash after making frank lifestyle admission
There is a £650 payment being made in two instalments to help those most vulnerable, on top of the £400 energy discount that is paid in monthly instalments.
Everyone entitled should have received the payment by the end of July.
In order to have qualified for the £326 July payment, you needed to have been confirmed to have been entitled to receive one of the following benefits on May 25 2022.
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
The payments have been issued 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.
DWP and HMRC are using a computer program to identify those eligible to receive a Cost of Living Payment. If you’ve not received the payment but believe you are entitled to it, you can report a missing payment on the Gov.uk cost of living payment page.
Most people getting tax credits will be paid the first Cost of Living Payment of £326 between September 2 and 7 2022, but if you did not get it, you can report a missing payment to HMRC from September 16 2022. This is to allow time for your bank, building society or credit union to process the payment.
Speak to your local benefits office if there’s been a change to your benefits status recently, to find out if that will affect your chance of getting the second payment.
READ NEXT-
Nicola Sturgeon announces rent freeze and Scottish Child Payment increase
Worst supermarket price rises confirmed out of Tesco, Morrisons, Asda and Aldi
UK’s cheapest supermarket confirmed for 153 everyday household items
Rose Ayling-Ellis calls for all shows to subtitled during lecture at Edinburgh's TV Festival
Plans for Edinburgh tourist tax unveiled by Nicola Sturgeon in UK first
