Millions of Britons on certain mean-tested benefits are to receive a £300 cost of living payment in a few week’s time, however, there are a number of benefits that will not receive the cash boost.
The payment will be made automatically between October 31 and November 19.
This is the second instalment of a £900 payment going out to people on certain benefits with the third £299 instalment to arrive in spring next year.
The first payment of £301 hit bank accounts between April 25 and May 17.
However, it is important for people on DWP benefits to be aware that not everyone will qualify for the means-tested cost of living payment.
Guidance on GOV.UK states that people claiming New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Contributions-based ESA and New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) will not be eligible for the £300 payment because these are not income-related benefits.
Full list of benefits that won’t qualify for the £300 one-off cost of living payment:
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Child benefit
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Disability living allowance (DLA)
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Contributory, or “new style”, employment and support allowance (ESA)
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Guardian’s allowance
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Contribution-based, or “new style”, jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
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Maternity allowance
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Personal independence payment
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State pension
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Statutory adoption, maternity, paternity and shared parental pay
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Statutory sick pay
Similarly, people on Universal Credit need to have been awarded a payment of at least 1p for the assessment period ending between August 18 and September 17, 2023.
They will not be eligible for the £300 cost of living payment if their Universal Credit is reduced to £0 for the qualifying assessment period – often referred to as a ‘nil award’.
When is the next cost of living payment being made?
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October 31 – November 19: for people on DWP means-tested benefits and those in receipt of Tax Credits who also get a DWP qualifying benefit
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November 10 – November 19: for people in receipt of Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits only
Who may be eligible for the cost of living payments?
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit – paid by HMRC if no other DWP means-tested benefit is also claimed
- Child Tax Credit – paid by HMRC if no other DWP means-tested benefit is also claimed
- Pension Credit.
What other help is available?
Pensioners who are entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment in 2023/2024 will get an extra £150 or £300 paid on top of their normal payment later this year.
The Government has also pushed £842million into the Household Support Fund (HSF) pot of cash which councils are giving out to local residents.
The HSF is designed to help those on the lowest incomes with the rising cost of living.
Each council gets a different portion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and need.
Britons can check with their local council if they are eligible for any support.
