Cost of living payments: Check if you are eligible for help

8 million people on low incomes who receive certain benefits will start getting the second instalment of a targeted cost-of-living payment this November. 

The support, totalling £650 is available for those across the UK on certain benefits. The aim of the payments is to help those in need of financial aid tackle the cost of living crisis. Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride said: “This latest £324 payment will help the most vulnerable people in our society who are worrying about their finances through the winter months.”

The payment comes spending on essential items, such as fuel and groceries, increased by 5.7% year-on-year in October, reflecting the impact of rising prices.

The government’s £1,200 support package contains £400 for energy bills that is being paid in monthly instalments to all domestic energy customers between now and March 2023. It also includes a £150 Council Tax rebate for 85% of all UK households and the previous £326 Cost of Living Payment made by DWP in July and by HMRC in September.

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) claimants will receive their second Cost of Living payment by 23 November 2022, and eligible tax credit claimants, on no other means-tested benefits, will receive it between 23 and 30 November 2022.

The payment should be automatically made to those eligible with no need to apply.

Eligibility is depended on receiving one of the following benefits:

  • Universal Credit

  • income-based Jobseekers Allowance

  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance

  • Income Support

  • working tax credit

  • child tax credit

  • pension credit

People are not eligible for these payments if they receive New Style Employment and Support Allowance, contributory Employment and Support Allowance, or New Style Jobseeker's Allowance - unless they get Universal Credit.

Everyone is being urged to take care not to be drawn in by scams which exploit those expecting the money. The official payments will be automatic, and no additional details are required to be submitted.

Anyone who thinks they are entitled to the help but who has not received it should contact the office that pays their benefit or tax credits, or report it here:

Here at The Big Help we are sure there are many of you that are not able to receive this funding but are still struggling in this extremely difficult time. British Gas Energy Trust is working with the Post Office and British Gas to run in-person community pop-ups in Post Offices across England, Scotland and Wales. Trained advisors from organisations funded by the Trust will be on hand to talk about the support available to help manage money and energy bills.

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