Chancellor Jeremy Hunt confirmed last week that a £94 billion support package has been put in place in a bid to protect struggling families throughout the cost of living crisis.
Every household on average could receive up to £3,300 worth of support, mainly uplifted by the £2,500 energy price guarantee.
Here’s a breakdown of all the upcoming cost of living payments for April and the coming months, as well as eligibilty criteria.
First instalment of £900 payments
Those receiving certain benefits will receive the first part of the £900 cost of living payment soon, reports the Manchester Evening News. The payment is split into three instalments of £301, £300, and £299. In order to be considered eligible for the payments, you must be receiving one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Pension Credit
However, if your Universal Credit has been cut to zero during the qualifying period, then you won’t be considered eligible in most cases. All three instalments will go into accounts during the new financial year, which starts on April 6.
The first payment will be paid sometime during spring, with the second in autumn, and the third in spring 2024.
£150 disability cost of living payment
Those receiving disability benefits will be eligible for a cash boost in the summer. In order to be considered eligible you must be receiving one of the following benefits:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Scottish disability payments
- Armed Force Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
Qualifying periods and specific payment dates are yet to be announced.
£300 pensioner cost of living payment
Those who receive the Winter Fuel Payment for 2023-24 will be eligible for an extra cash boost worth between £150 to £300 which will be added onto the usual Winter Fuel Payment in November 2023.
The exact amount people will receive will vary depending on when they were born and their circumstances during the qualifying dates. It is understood that letters will be sent out in October or November to inform people of how much they will receive if eligible.
