Some benefit claimants are set to get their £326 cost of living payment after a cut-off date this month, it has emerged.
People on Universal Credit, income-related ESA and JSA, Income Support, and Pension Credit are due the payment directly into their bank accounts starting this Thursday to help with rising bills.
Officials originally said these payments would arrive in a two-week window between July 14 and July 31.
However, updated government guidance clarifies that the payment will only arrive between those dates “for most people” on the benefits.
It’s understood a small number of people may experience delays beyond July 31. if they have extremely complex cases, such as major changes to their circumstances.
Separately, people who are on Tax Credits only - and not these other benefits - will not get the £326 payment by July 31.
Because those benefits are administered by HM Revenue and Customs they will only arrive later - and there’s still no set date. Guidance says only “from Autumn 2022”.
In total 8.3million UK benefit claimants will receive the £326 payment, along with a second instalment of £324 later in the autumn to make £650 in total.
Claimants must have begun a claim for these benefits by 25 May 2022 at the latest to qualify for the first of the two payments.
The cut-off date for the second period has not yet been confirmed. The payments are slightly different to reduce the risk of fraud.
The £650 will be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
But Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Jonathan Ashworth warned millions of Brits were heading for a “winter of real misery” as inflation soars.
He said the second, £324 payment will only be worth £307 in real terms due to inflation over this summer.
He called for the full £650 to “absolutely” be paid up front, telling the BBC : “People are going to be in an even worse situation than when this package was announced.”
It was part of a range of other measures unveiled by Rishi Sunak after months of pressure over soaring energy bills.
The now former Chancellor also announced £400 for all households off energy bills across six months from October.
The hated "buy now pay later" £200 discount off energy bills in October was scrapped after an outcry.
But he was criticised after admitting people with second homes - including himself - would get the £400 twice. He is giving his discount to charity.
There will also be £300 for pensioners in November and December, and £150 for disabled people in September.
A DWP spokesperson said: “We are on track to give eight million low-income households their first cost of living instalment from this month.
“In a small number of unique cases with more complex circumstances, the payments will take slightly longer to process.
“But all eligible households will automatically receive the first instalment, and no one needs to worry they will miss out.”
