Over eight million families in the UK on means-tested benefits will start receiving cost of living payments from April 25, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed. The payments come as part of a £26billion support package to assist vulnerable Britons with rising prices, and details of eligibility have now been released.
Work and pensions secretary Mel Stride said the cost of living payments, which includes the pensioner and disability payment, 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.
The cost of living payment will be split into three instalments and people who receive certain low-income benefits and tax credits during specified qualifying periods will be entitled to them.
The first cost of living payment will be worth £301 and will be paid between April 25, 2023, and May 17, 2023, for most people on DWP benefits.
READ MORE: State pensioners could increase payments by up to £14.75 per week
Who is eligible for the first cost of living payment?
To receive the first £301 payment, people must have been claiming the following benefits or tax credits on certain dates:
- 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.
Claimants must have been entitled to a payment between January 26 and February 25 or received a payment for an assessment period ending between these dates.
For those who have a joint claim on the qualifying dates, a single payment will be sent using the same payment method used between these dates, if eligible.
According to the DWP, the payment will be made separately from other benefit payments.
People who just receive tax credits and no other low-income benefits will get their cost of living payment from HMRC shortly after DWP payments begin.
The following two cost of living payments will be worth £300 and £299, and these will be distributed to most people in autumn 2023 and spring 2024, respectively.
READ MORE: Last chance to boost state pension as deadline looms
Pensioner cost of living payment 2023
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.
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