MILLIONS of households across the UK will begin to receive a cost of living payment of £301 from today (Apr 25), with a further two payments of £300 and £299 due to be rolled out in the autumn and next spring respectively.
This first payment is the first of a combined £900 support package from the government for means-tested benefits claimants. Tax credit-only customers will receive the payment from HMRC between Tuesday 2 May and Tuesday 9 May.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that around eight million households will receive the payment by Wednesday, May 17. The DWP will send the payments automatically and directly to recipients’ bank accounts with a reference to their National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP COL’. The payment will be made separately from recipients’ benefit payments.
Eligible households receiving income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA), income-related employment and support allowance (ESA), income support, pension credit, universal credit, child tax credit and working tax credit will receive the payment. Those only receiving New Style ESA, contributory ESA or New Style JSA will not receive the payment.
A £150 disability cost of living payment will be made in the summer, and a £300 top-up to the usual winter fuel payment for 2023/24 will also be rolled out. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride, said, “This latest additional payment will be welcomed by millions of families – as will further payments due over the next year. We have continually supported those most vulnerable to rising costs, including through record benefits and national living wage increases as well as these exceptional cost of living payments responding to the global pressures we are facing.”
Around 433,000 households in Wales are expected to be eligible for the payment, which will be a relief for many families struggling with the rising cost of living. For more information about the payment and whether you qualify, visit the DWP website.
