People across the country will start to see a cost of living payment worth £324 land in the accounts from Tuesday, November 8. The money from the Government is the second instalment of the £650 announced by Rishi Sunak.
The money is being given to people who claim a number of benefits and will be paid to most people between November 8 and November 23. The first instalment worth £326, was paid in July for most households, with those on tax credits paid in September, reports The Mirror.
The cost of living payment will go to those receiving:
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
In order to qualify for the £324, you must have been entitled, or later found to be entitled to, any of the benefits between August 26 and September 25 this year. Those on Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit won’t receive their payment until after November 23.
This is to avoid duplicate payments as some people claim both tax credits and another of the qualifying benefits. There are around one million households that claim Tax Credits in the UK.
This group will get their second instalment between November 23 to November 30. You won't need to submit a claim or take any further steps as the payment will come straight from HMRC.
Those on Tax Credits will see the payment go to the bank account where the credits are paid. Cost of living payments don't count towards the benefit cap so they won't affect the amount of benefits you're entitled to.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid 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.
You could get up to 3 different types of payment depending on your circumstances on a particular date or during a particular period:
- a Cost of Living Payment, if you get a qualifying low income benefit or tax credits
- a Disability Cost of Living Payment, if you get a qualifying disability benefit
- a Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, if you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023
Millions of pensioners will soon start to receive their Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £600. The cash is being sent out in November and December for most people but you should be paid by January 13, 2023 at the latest.
Winter Fuel Payments are normally worth between £100 and £300, with the amount depending on your age, living arrangements and if you claim benefits.
But this winter, the Government is also giving eligible households an extra £300 on top because of the cost of living crisis.
This means some families could potentially get up to £600.
Disability Cost of Living Payment
You may get a lump sum payment of £150 if you’re getting any of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
