The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed that more than 14million means-tested cost of living payments were made last year, potentially coming to £650 per recipient. This was made up of 7.2million for the first payment worth £326 and 7.3million for the second, worth £324.
DWP estimates that by the end of November 2022, over 90 per cent of recipients of the second means-tested benefit cost of living payment of £324 will also have received the first payment of £326. Similarly, by the end of September, more than six million people claiming disability benefits had received a one-off payment for £150.
However, payments may have been delayed for some eligible claimants if there was an issue with the paying-in account or if a claim is still being processed, or is under review. People can no longer report a missing £326 or £324 payment online and should instead contact the office that deals with their benefit.
Missing £150 disability cost of living payments can still be reported online and the dedicated page on GOV.UK can also be used to find out which department to contact about it.
Cost of living payments you can report as missing
If you were expecting one of the following payments but have not received it, you can report it as missing:
- £326 - paid in July 2022 for most people
- £324 - paid in November 2022 for most people
- £150 - disability cost of living payment paid in September 2022 for most people
DWP guidance advises: “Before reporting a missing payment, check your bank, building society or credit union account, or your Payment Exception Service voucher receipt. The payment will be made separately from your benefit.”
It also warns: “Do not report the same missing payment more than once. We will reply to you as soon as we can”. Report a missing payment or find contact details on GOV.UK here.
Pensioner cost of living payments, worth up to £300, are being added to the 2022/23 Winter Fuel Payments and will continue to be made until Friday, January 13. DWP advises any pensioner household which has not received the payment yet to wait until the window closes before contacting them - find out more about this here.
To keep up to date with the latest cost of living news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out four times each week - sign up here.
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