Updated guidance has suggested that some benefit claimants set to receive their £326 cost of living payment will get it after the cut-off date this month, it has been reported.
For Britons on Universal Credit, income-related ESA and JSA, Income Support, and Pension Credit are due the payment from this Thursday to help with rising bills.
According to the Daily Mirror, officials originally stated that these payments would arrive within two weeks between July 14 and July 31. However, a recent government announcement clarified that the payment will only arrive between those dates 'for most people' on the benefits.
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On the other hand, a small number of people have been said to experience delays beyond July 31, due to having extremely complex cases, such as major changes to their circumstances.
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Additionally those who are on Tax Credits only, and excluding other benefits, will not get the £326 payment by July 31. As those benefits are administered by HM Revenue and Customs, the payments will arrive later with no set date confirmed, except the guidance saying only “from Autumn 2022”.
In total, 8.3 million British benefit claimants will receive the £326 payment, while a second instalment of £324 will be added later in the autumn to total £650. Claimants must have applied for these benefits by May 25 2022 at latest in order to qualify for the first of the two payments.
Despite the cut-off date for the second period being unconfirmed yet, the payments have been slightly different to reduce the risk of fraud. The £650 will be tax-free, which will not count towards the benefit cap and does not have any impact on any existing benefit awards.
However, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Jonathan Ashworth emphasised that for millions of Brits who rely on such benefits, would be heading for a “winter of real misery” as inflation continues to soar. He warned the second £324 payment will only be worth £307 due to inflation over this summer and even called for the full £650 to “absolutely” be paid upfront.
In an interview with the BBC he said: “People are going to be in an even worse situation than when this package was announced.” This was part of a range of other measures unveiled by former Chancellor Rishi Sunak after months of pressure over rising energy bills.
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.”
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