All you need to know about the cost-of-living payments
*PLEASE BE AWARE THIS IS AN OLDER POST AND THERE MAY BE A MORE UP TO DATE POST, OR UPDATED INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ *
Struggling to understand the different cost-of-living payments announced by the government? We’re here to help you understand which one you may be entitled to.
£650 cost-of-living payment
If you get benefits based on your income, you may be entitled to the £650 cost-of-living payment. You will automatically receive this if you get any of the following:
Universal Credit
Pension Credit
Working Tax Credit
Child Tax Credit
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
You should have been receiving a benefit payment on or between 26 April 2022 and 25 May 2022, or have started a successful benefit claim by 25 May 2022, or 26 April 2022 if you’re applying for Universal Credit.
The payments will be made in two lump sums of £326 and £324. The first of these should have been received between 14 and 31 July, or 2 to 7 September for those on Working or Child Tax Credits. If you didn’t receive a payment but think you should have, you can report a missing cost-of-living payment on the government website.
The next lump sum of £324 is due to go out between 8 and 23 November, with those on Working and Child Tax Credits receiving it shortly after people on the low income DWP benefits have been paid.
If you’re not claiming any of these benefits, you should do a benefit check to see if you’re eligible. It’s worth starting a claim as soon as possible if you’re eligible as you may be able to get the second cost-of-living payment.
Disability cost-of-living payment
The government began automatically giving out the £150 disability cost-of-living payments from 20 September 2022, with most people expecting to receive it at the beginning of October 2022. You should get this is you receive any of the following:
Disability Living Allowance
Personal Independence Payment
Attendance Allowance
Armed Forces Independence Payment
Constant Attendance Allowance
War Pension Mobility Supplement
To receive the payment, you must have been getting one of these benefits from 25 May 2022, or applied for one by 25 May 2022.
Like with the £650 payments, if you think you should have received the disability cost-of-living payment and didn’t, report a missing payment on the government website.
Pensioner cost-of-living payment
Those who are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023 will receive an additional £300 pensioner cost-of-living payment from November 2022.
The Winter Fuel Payment is paid to those born on or before 25 September 1956, and the amount you receive depends on circumstances. You can find a full breakdown of circumstances and the amount you’re entitled to on the government website.
The pensioner cost-of-living payment will be paid automatically alongside your Winter Fuel Payment. The Winter Fuel Payment is also automatically paid if you’re eligible and get the State Pension, or get another social security benefits. If you get neither, you may have to make a claim.
Be #ScamAware
You should be wary of scammers looking to target those who are financially vulnerable. If you are eligible for any of the cost-of-living payments, they will be paid automatically. You do not need to apply for the payments or call the DWP. If you are asked to apply or asked for your personal details over text or email in relation to the payments, this is a scam.
You can report a scam on the Citizens Advice website.
If you need help or advice, get in touch with our team today - call us free on 0808 2787 801, or complete the contact form on our website to speak to one of our advisers.
