Millions of people are set to receive a £324 cost of living payment in the coming weeks to help with soaring living costs. More than eight million households in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland who claimed qualifying means-tested benefits between 26 August to 25 September this year will receive £324 between now and November 23, the second instalment of the government's cost of living package worth £650 announced earlier this year.
It comes after millions of people received £326 back in July. The second payment started on Tuesday, November 8, is being made directly into eligible recipients’ bank accounts, so you don't need to do anything to receive it.
Despite the huge support package, which is estimated to cost millions of pounds, a large number of benefits claimants will miss out on the money as not all are eligible. Here are the people who won't qualify for the money.
Read more: All the DWP payment dates between now and Christmas including £324 cost of living payment
The second cost of living payment is being given to those on means-tested benefits, so you will not get a payment if you get any of the following and don't also claim universal credit or another means-tested benefit:
- New Style employment and support allowance
- Contributory employment and support allowance
- New style jobseeker’s allowance
You will also not get the payment if you only get any of the following:
- Housing benefit
- Carer's allowance
- Personal independence payments (PIP)
- Disability living allowance (DLA)
It has been claimed that even more people will miss out on this month's payments than in July, when the DWP issued the first instalment - worth £326 - to eligible claimants. At the time, The Canary reported that around 1.5 million social security claimants were not entitled to July’s cost of living payment, and it has been reported that the number of people claiming PIP or DLA since has risen from 568,889 to 590,435, meaning around 20,000 more people on disability payments will miss out. In August there were calls to increase the government's £150 lump sum being given to people with disabilities in September, which some Plaid Cymru MPs called "pitiful."
Those eligible for the £324 payment include people on universal credit, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, income support and pension credit. To be eligible, claimants must have been claiming and entitled to a payment between 26 August and 25 September with the exception of pensioner households, who may be able to have a new pension credit claim backdated. To get all the latest money-saving news straight to your inbox twice a week sign up here.
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