Millions of benefits claimants will begin to receive their first Cost of Living payment of the year today.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will issue the £301 payment automatically to eligible claimants' bank accounts. It will be the first of three instalments which will be spread out across 2023/24, equating to a whopping £900.
Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know about today's £301 payment.
Read more: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community
When will the first Cost of Living payment be paid?
Many accounts will begin seeing the payment already appear today. However, if you have not received it yet, don't worry.
The DWP previously announced that not all payments will be made on the same day and you should expect to see the cash by Wednesday, May 17. It's important to note that if you only receive Tax Credits from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) then you will be paid at a later date compared to those receiving the Cost of Living payment from the DWP.
Who is eligible for the first Cost of Living payment?
The Cost of Living Payment will be made available to those who are receiving payments from means-tested benefits such as: Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, and Universal Credit.
Claimants must also have received a payment from one of the qualifying benefits during the qualifying period - between January 26, 2023 and February 25, 2023. Furthermore, you will not be considered eligible if your benefit is reduced to £0 during the qualifying period - this is known as a 'nil reward' and can happen for a variety of reasons.
However, the DWP has clarified that if you receive a nil reward because money has been taken off you for something like rent or debt, you may still be considered eligible. The government department has also clarified that you will not be considered eligible if you only claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance, contributory Employment and Support Allowance, or New Style Jobseeker's Allowance.
Read next:
- The 'worst' street where people ask how many more will die
- Prisoners 'running the wings', 'inmates off their t*ts', staff who have 'lost control' - the jail that's had £1bn of public money
- Man raped woman in the woods - then attacked brave dog walker who intervened
- People forced to walk down the Big One as it stops mid-ride AGAIN for second time in weeks
- Manchester's real-life Peaky Blinders only feared one thing
