Millions of UK households will receive the second Cost of Living payment of £300 soon - set to land in bank accounts over the coming weeks.
The UK Government has put in place the cost of living support package, that includes one-off payments to those on income related benefits, disabled claimants and pensioners. These payments are intended to provide support to households with the current rise in the cost of living.
Previous Payments
The first £301 low income (means tested) Cost of Living Payment was paid earlier this year between 25 April and 17 May for most people. A Disability Payment of £150 was paid between 20 June and 4 July to those eligible.
Future Payments
• The next payment of £300 will be issued to recipients between 31st October and 19th November for most people on Department for Communities / Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits.
This £300 payment for people on tax credits and no other low income benefits will be paid between 10 November and 19 November 2023 for most people
• A £300 additional Winter Fuel Payment (for pensioners) is due during Winter 2023/24.
•The third £299 low income (means tested) Cost of Living Payment is due during Spring 2024.
You do not need to do anything to apply. If you are eligible (or if you are found to be eligible at a later date) you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you receive your normal benefit payments.
The payment reference for bank accounts will be DWP COLP, along with the claimant’s National Insurance number.
These additional cost of living payments will be made separately from your normal payments. They are not taxable and will not affect any of the benefits or tax credits you get.
Who is Eligible?
The full list of benefit recipients that qualify for the upcoming Cost of Living payment are those who receive:
• Universal Credit;
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance;
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
• Income Support;
• Working Tax Credit;
• Child Tax Credit;
• Pension Credit
Pensioner Cost of Living Payment (Winter Fuel Payment)
If you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024, you will get an extra £150 or £300 paid with your normal payment from November 2023.
The full amount of Winter Fuel Payment (including the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment) you will get for winter 2023 to 2024 depends on when you were born and your circumstances during the qualifying dates.
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024 if you were born before 25 September 1957.
This guidance will be updated with the qualifying dates for the payment when they are published.
You will be sent a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get if you’re eligible.
Scams about Cost of Living Payments
If you get a suspicious email or text from GOV.UK, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or the Department for Communities asking for bank details, you should report it.Â
DWP or the Department for Communities will not ask for bank details by text or email or send a link to click into within a text or email. If you have had a message asking you to apply or contact someone about the payment, this might be a scam.
Find out more about scams in general at ScamwiseNI.