The DWP will send the latest payments automatically to the recipient’s bank accounts.
Payments started on Tuesday, April 25, so those who haven’t got it yet may be waiting a little bit longer due to the temporary halt.
Around eight million low-income households are set to receive the cash boost.
The DWP has given out around 1.6 million sums of £301 each day on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week.
This £301 boost is the first of three cost-of-living payments for means-tested benefit recipients that will be paid this year.
The payments will be made to those on certain means-tested benefits, all receiving theirs by Wednesday, May 17.
This could be vital for many families struggling to keep up with rising bills.
The qualifying period for this payment is between January 26 and February 15, 2023.
Benefit recipients who qualify for the cost of living payment are those who get one of the following:
Universal Credit
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment
Support Allowance
Income Support
Working Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit
Pension Credit.
People can check they have the right payment by looking for a reference to their National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP COL’.
Those who only receive tax credits will have to wait until May 2 to 9 to receive their £301 payment, which will appear in accounts with HMRC COLS as an identifying code.
This payment will be tax-free, and will not count towards the benefit cap.
The DWP encourages low-income pensioners not already getting Pension Credit to check their eligibility. They can still qualify for the £301 Cost of Living Payment if they make a successful backdated Pension Credit application by May 19.
People can check their eligibility for Pension Credit using the online calculator on GOV.UK or by calling the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234.
Express.co.uk has contacted the DWP for comment.
