Millions of claimants on Universal Credit and other benefits have been getting £326 payments this month to help with the soaring cost of living - but what happens if you haven't had the cash yet?
The cash is being paid out to 8.4million households from July 14, and is the first half of a £650 Government cost of living payment.
Almost all eligible households should get £326 by July 31, the Government has said.
However, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has warned of possible delays.
If you haven't had your £326 by July 31 and have not heard from the DWP, their advice is to contact the office which pays your benefits.
The second 'half' of the £650, £324, will be paid later this year.
These £650 payments is only being given out to those who claim means-tested benefits - so where your income and savings are taken into account.
For the July payment, you will need to have been qualified for one of the list of means-tested benefits on May 25, 2022.
This includes:
Child Tax Credit
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
Working Tax Credit
The list of benefits where claimants aren't eligible for the £650 cost of living payments is:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- 'New style' Employment and Support Allowance
- Guardian's Allowance
- 'New style' Jobseeker's Allowance
- Maternity Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State Pension
- Statutory sick pay
- Statutory adoption, maternity, paternity and shared parental pay
If you get Housing Benefit, but no other benefit, you are also not eligible for the £650.
This sounds surprising, because Housing Benefit is means-tested and so claimants should be due cost of living payments.
But if you only get Housing Benefit then HM Revenue & Customs cannot find you to pay you the money.
Instead, the Chancellor has advised people in this position to apply to the Household Support Fund - a pot of emergency cash handed out by local councils to people in need.
I'm not eligible for the £650 - what help can I get?
If you claim certain disability benefits, there is a £150 cost of living payment due in September.
Pensioners in receipt of Winter Fuel Payments will get an extra £300.
Every home in England, Scotland and Wales will also receive £400 off their energy bills, spread out over six months from October.
Rather than a cash payment, the money will be applied directly to your energy account.
Direct debit and credit customers will have the money credited to their account, while those with pre-payment meters will have the money added to their meter or paid via a voucher.
Support to people in Northern Ireland has not yet been announced.
The help on offer does vary, but can include cash grants and supermarket vouchers.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak extended the Household Support Fund as part of a wider £15billion package to tackle the cost of living crisis.
Speak to your council to see what help it offers and if you’re eligible for support.
