The UK Government has said that the majority of people eligible for a Cost of Living Payment will have received theirs by the end of today.
The Department of Work and Pensions has said that over seven million households in the UK will have received their first £301 Cost of Living Payment in the past eight days, with the vast majority getting theirs by the end of Wednesday, May 3.
The rest of the outstanding payments will be made by Wednesday, May 17.
Read more: DWP £301 payment to go into bank accounts of those eligible from today
The payments are the first of three new Cost of Living Payments worth up to £900 in 2023/24 for those eligible – though some people will receive up to £1,350.
Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “Paying more than seven million households £301 in a little over a week underlines our commitment to ensure those on the lowest income are protected from the worst of rising prices and give them peace of mind.
“With further payments due to be made later this year and in 2024, we will continue provide support to those who need it most while we tackle inflation and grow the economy.”
Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, added: “We know the impact that rising prices are having on families, which is why we are providing significant support to millions through these direct cash payments. This is alongside other support, including holding down energy bills, uplifting benefits and the state pension by 10 per cent, and increasing the National Living Wage by a record amount.
“The single best way to ease cost of living pressures is to bear down on inflation. We are on track to halve it this year, laying the foundation for the long-term growth needed to improve everyone’s living standards.”
Chris Heaton-Harris, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, added: "I am pleased to see the rapid roll out of these vital payments which will provide much needed relief for citizens across the United Kingdom and indeed within Northern Ireland where cost of living pressures are compounded by a lack of locally accountable leadership. The Government and my department continue to work to protect the interests of people in NI, including those households set to benefit from these payments."
The Cost of Living Payments, spread across 2023/24, are worth up to £900 for those on means-tested benefits. The next payment for those on means-tested benefits is due in the Autumn, with the third instalment due next Spring.
These are accompanied by a £150 payment for people on eligible disability benefits this summer, and a £300 payment to top up Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners at the end of 2023 – meaning some will receive up to £1350.
People will be eligible for the £301 Cost of Living Payment if they have been entitled to a payment for one of seven benefits between 26 January and 25 February 2023.The eligible benefits are:
- Universal Credit;
- Pension Credit;
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance;
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
- Income Support;
- Working Tax Credit;
- Child Tax Credit.
The DWP encourages anyone who thinks they may be eligible for a qualifying benefit to use a gov.uk benefits calculator to check their entitlement. In particular, low-income pensioners should check their eligibility for Pension Credit, as they may still be able to receive the £301 Cost of Living Payment, and subsequent payments, if they make a successful backdated application by 19 May 2023.
The small number of payments outstanding will continue to be made between now and 17 May, and anyone eligible still waiting for a payment does not need to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) before then.
After this date, if someone thinks they may be missing a payment they are entitled to a form can be filled out on the gov.uk website to make a claim.
One million eligible families, receiving tax credits only, will get their £301 Cost of Living Payment from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) between Tuesday 2 and Tuesday 9 May with the banking reference ‘HMRC COLS’.
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