As the cost-of-living crisis bites ever harder, millions of households are set to receive a boost to their budgets. The Daily Record issued a guide to which cost of living payments are due and when, along with the eligibility criteria.
£650 Cost of Living Payment
- If you get a qualifying low income/means-tested benefit or Tax Credits: paid in two instalments of £326 and £324.
- This is paid per claim, so a couple claiming would qualify for one payment.
£150 Disability Cost of Living Payment
- If you get a qualifying disability benefit.
- This is paid per individual claim.
£300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
- If you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023 this will be added to your entitlement.
- This is paid per claim, so a couple claiming would qualify for one payment.
Examples of stacked support payments
- If you are claiming Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment, you will be eligible for £800 in support - £650 means-tested payment and the £150 disability payment.
- A person of State Pension age, claiming Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance would be eligible for £1,100 in support - the £650 means-tested payment, £150 disability payment and the £300 pensioner payment.
July and autumn - £650 means-tested cost of living payment
This is paid in two instalments of £326 and £324. Most will have received their first payment by now. Older people making a new claim for Pension Credit before August 18, which is later successful, even if they are only awarded one penny in support, will qualify for the £650 payment.
Qualifying benefits and Tax Credits
You may be eligible if you are in receipt of any of the following:
- Universal Credit - you must have been entitled to a payment of at least 1p during the assessment period of April 26, 2022, to May 25, 2022.
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Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) - received a payment between April 26, 2022, to May 25, 2022.
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Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - received a payment between April 26, 2022, to May 25, 2022.
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Income Support - received a payment between April 26, 2022, to May 25, 2022.
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Pension Credit - received a payment between April 26, 2022, to May 25, 2022.
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Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
The first cost of living payment of £326 will be paid in September
To get the first Cost of Living Payment of £326, you must have been entitled, or later found to be entitled, for any day in the period April 26, 2022, to May 25, 2022 to:
- A payment of Tax Credits.
- An annual award of at least £26 of Tax Credits.
- If you get both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, you will receive a cost of living payment for Child Tax Credit only.
If you get Tax Credits from HMRC and a low income benefit from DWP, your payment will be made by DWP.
If you only receive Tax Credits, you will get the first payment of £326 from HMRC in September and the second payment of £324 from winter 2022. You will not be eligible for a payment if you get New Style Employment and Support Allowance, Contributory Employment and Support Allowance or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance, unless you also get Universal Credit.
September - £150 disability cost of living payment
To qualify for the payment, you must have received a payment (or later receive a payment) of one of these benefits on May 25, 2022:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
If you get a qualifying disability benefit from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and a qualifying disability benefit from DWP, you will get one £150 payment from DWP only.
October - £400 energy rebate
All households with a domestic electricity connection across the UK are eligible for the £400 discount. There is no need to contact energy suppliers as it will be paid automatically.
November/December - £300 pensioner cost of living payment
All eligible pensioner households will get the one-off payment added as a top-up to their annual Winter Fuel Payment in November/December. To qualify, you must be of State Pension age (66 or above) during the qualifying week of September 19-25, 2022, and in receipt of the Winter Fuel Payment.
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