More than 7 million people have now received £326 in their bank accounts as the first part of the £650 means-tested cost of living payment which is being given to those on Universal Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Pension Credit. Tax Credits claimants will also receive the financial support, but this will not be delivered by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) until the Autumn. The second half will be given out later in the year.
The first payments were made between the 14 and 31 July. However, we wanted to let you know that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced that some payments may be delayed.
There is now updated guidance on GOV.UK for claimants who think they might be missing a payment.
DWP has added a new online form for people who think they should have received the £326 payment, but have not yet done so. Before reporting a missing payment, DWP urges claimants to check their bank, building society or credit union account, or Payment Exception Service voucher receipt.
To use the ‘Report a missing Cost of Living Payment’ form on GOV.UK, you will need your National Insurance number.
Here are several reasons why you may not have received the payment:
- You’re still waiting for a decision on your benefit application or appeal – if you’re eligible, you’ll get the Cost of Living Payment automatically later
- The payment is not due yet for your benefit – for example, if you get Tax Credits, you will not get your first Cost of Living Payment until Autumn 2022
It is possible you may not be eligible. To qualify you must have been either:
- Entitled to a Universal Credit payment for an assessment period that ended in the period April 26, 2022 to May 25, 2022
- Entitled to an income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Income Support or Pension Credit payment for any day in the period April 26, 2022 to May 25, 2022
IN ADDITION….
This week, the government has announced how all households in England, Scotland and Wales will receive £400 to help with rising fuel bills this autumn.
The money, part of the Energy Bill Support Scheme, will be paid in six instalments.
Households will see a discount of £66 applied to their energy bills in October and November, and £67 a month from December to March 2023.
All customers with a domestic electricity meter who pay by direct debit, either monthly or quarterly, or by card will see an automatic deduction off their bills.
Those with “smart” prepayment devices will see an automatic monthly top-up added to their account, meaning they will have to add less credit to their meter for the total energy they use.
But those with older “non-smart” prepayment devices will not get this money automatically.
Instead, they will receive an energy bill discount voucher in the first week of each month, via text, email or in the post. Customers will have to redeem these in person at their usual top-up point, such as a local Post Office.