Forming part of a multi-billion pound support package to help Britons with surging prices, the Government has been distributing cost of living payments to millions of eligible people this year.
The scheme offers up to five payments, including the main cost of living payment, the disability cost of living payment, and a pensioner cost of living payment, all varying in value.
Work and pensions secretary Mel Stride said the payments are intended to help people right across the UK over this year and the start of the next, as “consistent, targeted and substantial” support for the most vulnerable continues.
Depending on a person’s circumstances, they could be eligible to receive all five of the payments and in their totality, amounts to a much-welcomed £1,350 over the course of the year.
The main cost of living payment is worth £900 split into three instalments, while the disability and pensioner cost of living payments are worth £150 and £300, respectively.
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Here’s a rundown of the eligibility criteria for each type of payment, along with time people might expect to be paid.
Cost of living payment – £900
The main cost of living payment, which is split into three instalments of £301, £300, and £299, will be paid over the course of the 2023/24 tax year.
This payment is available to those who receive certain means-tested benefits or Tax Credits, such as:
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit.
People must have been in receipt of these benefits during specified weeks in the year, determined by the DWP.
The first £301 instalment has already been paid to those on means-tested benefits and Tax Credits. This took place during the months of April and March, and people must have been in receipt of the specified benefits in the month from January 26, 2023, to February 25, 2023.
The next two cost of living payments worth £300 and £299 will be distributed in autumn 2023 and spring 2024, respectively. The qualifying dates, as well as the confirmed payment dates will be announced closer to the time.
Disability cost of living payment – £150
The disability cost of living payment, which will be paid on top of the main cost of living payment if eligible, will be worth £150.
The payment date has now been announced and those eligible should expect to see the funds hit their accounts automatically between June 20, 2023, and July 4, 2023.
To be entitled to the payment, people must have been receiving one of the following benefits on April 1, 2023:
- 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.
Pensioner cost of living payment – £300
Those entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024 will get an extra £150 or £300 paid with their normal payment from November 2023.
The full amount of Winter Fuel Payment (including the pensioner cost of living payment) for winter 2023 to 2024 depends on when a person was born and their circumstances during the qualifying dates.
People can get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024 if they were born before September 24, 1957.
People will be sent a letter in October or November telling them how much Winter Fuel Payment they’ll get if they’re eligible.
