When will the £900 cost of living payment be paid and is it direct to bank accounts? | The Sun

When will the £900 cost of living payment be paid and is it direct to bank accounts? | The Sun

03/07/2023

MILLIONS are in line for a £900 cost of living payment and the first chunk will be made this Spring.

From spring this year, the first chunk of the £900 cost of living payment will be made.

It's part of £1,350 support scheme from the government which Jeremy Hunt unveiled in his Autumn Budget.

The payment is part of a £26billion package announced by the government to help people during the cost of living crisis.

The help is aimed to help soften the blow of high energy bills, food costs and other necessities.

Here's everything you need to know on the payment.

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What is the £900 cost of living payment?

The £900 cost of living payment is a support payment paid to households in the UK that are struggling the most.

This payment will be tax-free and will not have any effect on any existing benefit payments that you receive.

More than eight million people will receive the payment.

How and when will the £900 be paid?

Unlike last year's help, this cost of living payment will be paid in three, not two, instalments.

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There's no need to apply for the help – instead, the DWP will be in touch.

The first payment, which will be £301, will be paid directly into bank accounts in Spring.

The Sun asked the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for dates on when payments will be made – it said it'll provide more information nearer the time.

But payment dates are designed to ensure a consistent support offer throughout the year.

This is so hard-up households will get a "consistent support offering throughout the year", the DWP said.

The second instalment of the £900 cost of living payment will be paid in autumn.

This second chunk is worth £300.

Spring next year will see the final chunk of the £900 cost of living payment dished out – it is worth £299.

Again, further details about the qualifying benefit date for the second and third payments will be announced nearer the time.

Am I eligible for the £900 payment?

The DWP also said it'll confirm eligibility criteria closer to the time but you'll most likely qualify if you get one of these benefits:

  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Pension Credit
  • Tax Credits (Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit)
  • Universal Credit

For the previous payments, you had to be entitled, or later found to be entitled to one of these benefits by a certain date.

Check what benefits you could be entitled to

Millions are entitled to benefits that they aren't claiming and which can make them eligible for the £900 cost of living payment.

The quickest way to see what benefits you may be able to claim is to use one of the three benefit calculators recommended by Gov.UK.

Each one is free to use. They are: 

  • Turn2us
  • Policy in Practice
  • EntitledTo

Before using the tools, make sure you have key financial information to hand, such as bank and savings statements, and information on pensions and existing benefits.

If you live with a partner or family, get their basic financial information together too as this could affect your claim.

For each of these, you’ll be asked information about your circumstances, such as your current employment and income.

You’ll also need to give information about yourself, including your age and who you live with.

You can then use the contact information on Gov.UK to get the ball rolling and apply for what you're owed.

Of course, the tools only provide an indicator of what benefits you can claim – and usually don't include means-tested benefits, so you may be entitled to even more.

What else is part of the cost of living support?

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt unveiled the full help in last year's Autumn Statement.

Millions will be in line for part of £1,350 though some could qualify for it all.

It's rare that households will qualify for all three payments but if you do, you'll get the full £1,350 on offer and you'll be automatically paid.

For example, if you claim pension credit and attendance allowance and are eligible for the winter fuel payment you'll get the full amount.

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Payment windows for the £1,350 payment will be broadly as follows:

  • £301 – First Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2023
  • £150 – 2023 Disability Payment – during Summer 2023
  • £300 – Second Cost of Living Payment – during Autumn 2023
  • £300 – 2023 Pensioner Payment – during Winter
  • £299 – Third Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2024

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]

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