With households still struggling with the cost of living, more people will be wondering what support there is to manage rising costs. The government is offering a number of support payments this year to help those hardest hit by the cost of living crisis but there are certain rules about who is eligible.
There are a number of key DWP payments that people can apply for this year to try and alleviate some pressure. Some have already been but there are some more to come later in the year. These range from cost of living payments (£301) and disability payments (£105).
Around eight million households qualify for the £301 payment in the UK while 6.7 million individuals are eligible for the £150. However, many will receive both if they are receiving the qualifying benefits, and if your claim was backdated you might even receive both. To get all the latest money-saving news straight to your inbox twice a week sign up here.
Who qualifies for the £450 cost of living payments?
Households will get £301 as a means-tested benefit. There will also be a subsequent £150 for people on disability benefits, making a cumulative total of £450, reports Birmingham Live.
People receiving any of the following means-tested benefits have been given the £301 payment has been given to people receiving. They are described as means-tested because the amount given to a claimant depends on their income and savings. The seven benefits that are eligible are:
- Pension Credit
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
The payment will be made separately from your benefit payments. You will not get a payment if you are only getting New Style ESA, contributory ESA, or New Style JSA.
There are nine benefits that qualify for the £150 allowance:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
The LCWRA element of Universal Credit is awarded to those unable to work because of a disability or long-term health problem. However, those on LCWRA will have received the £301 because it is part of Universal Credit
To be eligible for the automatic lump sum, claimants must have received a payment (or later found to be eligible) on April 1, 2023. For those people awaiting confirmation of their entitlement to disability benefits on April 1, or who are waiting to be assessed for eligibility to receive disability benefits, the payment process may take longer and arrive after the scheduled window closes on July 4, but the money will still arrive automatically.
What are the full cost of living payment key dates for 2023/2024?
- £301 paid between April 25 and May 17 for most people on DWP means-tested benefits
- £301 paid between May 2 and 9 for most people on HMRC tax credits and no other means-tested benefits
- £150 paid between June 20 and July 4 for people on disability benefits
- £300 paid during autumn 2023 for people on means-tested benefits - no exact dates yet announced
- £300 paid in November and December to pensioners who get Winter Fuel Payment
- £299 paid during spring 2024 for people on means-tested benefits - no exact dates yet announced
The £150 disability payment was paid out between June 20 and July 4. However, there may be some backdated payments that may be impacted according to the, DWP which explained: "Your payment might come later, for example if you’re awarded a qualifying benefit at a later date or you change the account your benefit is paid into. You will still be paid the cost of living payment automatically."
Anyone who has not received either sum but believes they are eligible can now log a missing payment report at the GOV.UK website.
