Millions of Britons are awaiting a £324 second cost of living payment

Earlier this year, then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a support package which included a cost of living payment worth £650. This payment was reserved for those in receipt of means-tested benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), such as Universal Credit. The cost of living payment has been split into two separate parts with the second instalment of £324 due to be delivered in the near future.

When will people get the extra £324?

The DWP has promised to update the public as to when the second part of the cost of living payment will be given to households.

However, the Government has yet to confirm a set date for the rollout of the payment.

Despite this, the £324 is expected to be awarded sometime in Autumn 2022 which means an October or November date is likely.

In comparison, the first £326 payment was handed out to certain eligible DWP claimants from Thursday, July 14, 2022.

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Those eligible via tax credits got the sum later, between September 2 and 7, 2022 and the second payment is expected from winter 2022.

For a Universal Credit claimant to be eligible for the first cost of living payment, they must have been claiming the benefit for an assessment period that ended in the period April 26 2022 to May 25 2022.

Due to the unknown date for the £324, the assessment period to be eligible for the second instalment has yet to be confirmed.

However, those looking to claim this second instalment of the cost of living support should apply for qualifying benefits like Universal Credit as soon as possible to get it.

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All cost of living payments will be delivered into the bank and building society linked to the claimant’s initial DWP payment, however, it will be paid separately to their qualifying benefit.

Who is eligible for the cost of living payment?

While the Government has launched extra support for pensioners and those with a disability in recent months, the wider £650 payment is targeted at those who are likely to be on low income.

Means-tested benefits is the term used to describe social security payments which are awarded to claimants depending on their income and financial situation.

With inflation and energy bills continuing to hurt the living standards of everyone across the country, the DWP’s extra cost of living payment could be a crucial lifeline for many benefit claimants.

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Previously speaking to Express.co.uk, a Government spokesperson outlined who the £650 payment is supposed to be for and what other support is available to those on low income.

The DWP representative said: “The cost of living payments are targeted to those who need it the most, including people receiving contributory and new style benefits if they’re on a low income and receive Universal Credit.

“All households, regardless of benefit, will receive a £400 energy payment as part of the £37billlion cost of living package, and 80 percent will get a £150 Council Tax rebate.

“The Household Support Fund can also help families with essential costs, in addition to Discretionary Housing Payments which help people needing support to meet housing costs.”