Millions of people on means-tested benefits will get the first of two Cost of Living Payments, totalling £650, from 14 July 2022, to help with the rising cost of living.
The payment will be made to all qualifying households receiving at least 1 pence on the qualifying date of these benefits; Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
A first payment of £326 has been made from July 14, with a further £324 from September. For qualifying households on tax credits only, the first payment will be in the autumn and the second in the winter. Payments will be automatic and paid in the usual way. Households which qualify do not need to contact HMRC or the DWP or apply for the payment.
There will also be a £150 payment made to people on qualifying disability benefits which will be paid in September.
If you are claiming a low-income benefit, and think you qualify for the payment, you don't need to do anything, you will get it automatically.
Some households will get more to help. The government will pay £1,200 to help people on certain means tested benefits and disability benefits, pensioners and to help with energy bills. You can check here to see if you qualify.
There is also more information about further support available on the Government's Cost of Living Campaign website.
There will also be an extra £300 for pensioner households paid as an increase to their winter fuel payment from mid-November. This is extra to the Energy Bills Support Scheme which will see all domestic energy customers receive a one-of rebate of £400 paid by their energy providers. This money does not need to be paid back.
|
Payment |
Date to be paid |
Who Benefits |
|---|---|---|
|
Cost of Living Payment, totalling £650 |
First payment of £326 from July 14 with a second payment of £324 to be paid in the Autumn. |
People on an eligible benefit on each qualifying date. These benefits are: Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, Pension Credit |
|
Cost of Living Payment, totalling £650, for those on Tax Credits only |
First payment of £326 in Autumn 2022 with a second payment of £324 to be paid Winter 2022 |
For eligible households receiving tax credits on each qualifying date. Customers could qualify for tax credits and other benefits. So HMRC will make payments to qualifying customers getting tax credits only. The DWP will pay to people on other benefits, to avoid duplicate payments. |
|
One-off disability payment of £150 |
September 2022 |
People on an eligible disability benefit on any day between April 26 and May 25 2022 will get a one-off payment of £150 in September. |
|
One-off £300 extra for Winter Fuel Payment |
As part of Winter Fuel Payment from mid-November |
A one off increase for pensioner households who receive the Winter Fuel Payment. It will be paid on top of other one-off support the household is entitled to. |
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
You don’t need to. If you qualify, payments will be made automatically in the same way that you usually receive your benefit or tax credits.
To make sure you are claiming everything you are entitled to, try our benefits calculator.
No
To get the first Cost of Living Payment of £326, you must have qualified for a payment, (or later found to qualify for a payment), of either Universal Credit for an assessment period that ended in the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022, or income-based Job Seekers Allowance, income-related Employment Seekers Allowance, Income Support or Pension Credit for any day in the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022.
Tax Credit customers must have received a payment, or an annual award of at least £26, of tax credits for any day between 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022. The GOV.UK website will be updated when the qualifying dates for the second payment are announced.
This is expected to be by the end of September 2022. Eligible customers receiving tax credits only will receive their second payment in Winter 2022.
What happens if I get child tax credit and working tax credit?
You will receive one set of Cost of Living Payments linked to Child Tax Credit only.
If you receive tax credits from HMRC or a qualifying low income benefit from the DWP, you will receive a Cost of Living Payment from the DWP or HMRC. If you also get a qualifying disability benefit, you may receive an extra Disability Cost of Living Payment from DWP.
For more help and information, use these links to the Gov.UK website.
- Use the HM Gov benefits checker to find out what you might be entitled to
- Use an independent benefits calculatorto find out what benefits you could get
- Independent News Article: Can I get the £650 cost of living payment?
- Cost Of Living Factsheet
- Cost Of Living campaign website
- Pension Credit calculator
- Understanding Universal Credit
These payments are being arranged and made directly by the government. If you have any questions, please check the gov.uk website for the latest information. If you are struggling with any of the details, please contact us and speak with your customer partner or one of our friendly income officers.
