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Cost of living payment: When is it and who gets it? Cost of living payment: When is it and who gets it?
(about 2 months later)
Eight million people are receiving the final instalment of cost of living payments totalling £900.Eight million people are receiving the final instalment of cost of living payments totalling £900.
Those on means-tested benefits including universal credit will be paid directly, without the need to make a claim, by 22 February.Those on means-tested benefits including universal credit will be paid directly, without the need to make a claim, by 22 February.
However, the payments have not tackled the extent of the financial problems many people face, a group of MPs says.However, the payments have not tackled the extent of the financial problems many people face, a group of MPs says.
Who can get the £900 cost of living payment?Who can get the £900 cost of living payment?
It is available to households who receive these benefits: It is available to households who receive these benefits, external:
universal credituniversal credit
universal credit
income-based jobseeker's allowanceincome-based jobseeker's allowance
income-based jobseeker's allowance
income-related employment and support allowanceincome-related employment and support allowance
income-related employment and support allowance
income supportincome support
income support
working tax creditworking tax credit
working tax credit
child tax creditchild tax credit
child tax credit
pension creditpension credit
pension credit
The final instalment of £299 follows two others last year, of £301 and £300.The final instalment of £299 follows two others last year, of £301 and £300.
To qualify, people need to have claimed a benefits payment between 13 November 2023 and 12 December 2023. Those who received a payment for an assessment period ending between these dates are also eligible.To qualify, people need to have claimed a benefits payment between 13 November 2023 and 12 December 2023. Those who received a payment for an assessment period ending between these dates are also eligible.
Pensioner households may be able to have a new pension credit claim backdated.Pensioner households may be able to have a new pension credit claim backdated.
An estimated 850,000 pensioner households do not claim pension credit, which is a gateway to these extra payments.An estimated 850,000 pensioner households do not claim pension credit, which is a gateway to these extra payments.
People are not eligible 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.People are not eligible 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.
Anyone who thinks they should have received the help but did not should contact the office that pays their benefit or tax credits, or report it here. Anyone who thinks they should have received the help but did not should contact the office that pays their benefit or tax credits, or report it here, external.
The payment reference on a recipient's bank account is their National Insurance number, followed by DWP COL.The payment reference on a recipient's bank account is their National Insurance number, followed by DWP COL.
The 1.1 million people who receive only working tax credit or child tax credit, rather than any of the other benefits have the reference HMRC COLS.The 1.1 million people who receive only working tax credit or child tax credit, rather than any of the other benefits have the reference HMRC COLS.
Cost of living payments do not affect the tax you pay, or the benefits or tax credits you receive.Cost of living payments do not affect the tax you pay, or the benefits or tax credits you receive.
What extra help are pensioners getting?What extra help are pensioners getting?
Households that receive the winter fuel payment - which is paid to nearly all homes with at least one person of pension age - received an extra payment of between £150 and £300 during the winter. Households that receive the winter fuel payment, external - which is paid to nearly all homes with at least one person of pension age - received an extra payment of between £150 and £300 during the winter.
Lower-income pensioners who claim pension credit get the money in addition to the support provided for those on benefits.Lower-income pensioners who claim pension credit get the money in addition to the support provided for those on benefits.
A £150 payment was also made to up to six million people receiving disability benefits, between 20 June and 4 July.A £150 payment was also made to up to six million people receiving disability benefits, between 20 June and 4 July.
All cost of living payments go straight into recipients' bank accounts.All cost of living payments go straight into recipients' bank accounts.
People are being warned about scammers trying to trick people into handing over personal information.People are being warned about scammers trying to trick people into handing over personal information.
Try our Family £1 recipe meal planTry our Family £1 recipe meal plan
Try our Family £1 recipe meal plan
Why are prices rising so much?Why are prices rising so much?
Why are prices rising so much?
What happens if I can't afford to pay my mortgage?What happens if I can't afford to pay my mortgage?
What happens if I can't afford to pay my mortgage?
What have MPs said about cost of living money?What have MPs said about cost of living money?
Payments were not enough for many people, MPs on the Commons Work and Pensions Committee said in a report published in November.Payments were not enough for many people, MPs on the Commons Work and Pensions Committee said in a report published in November.
It said payments were not enough for those with extra costs associated with their disabilities. Disability charity Scope says some people cannot afford to power vital equipment.It said payments were not enough for those with extra costs associated with their disabilities. Disability charity Scope says some people cannot afford to power vital equipment.
There was particular concern for some larger families.There was particular concern for some larger families.
The report said the payments have had an important impact, but the system was relatively unsophisticated, meaning some of those in need slipped through the net.The report said the payments have had an important impact, but the system was relatively unsophisticated, meaning some of those in need slipped through the net.
It said that in future, the government should consider increasing benefits rather than giving ad-hoc payments.It said that in future, the government should consider increasing benefits rather than giving ad-hoc payments.
However, the government said cost of living payments have provided "a significant financial boost to millions of households".However, the government said cost of living payments have provided "a significant financial boost to millions of households".
What is the energy cap and what's happening to bills?What is the energy cap and what's happening to bills?
What is the energy cap and what's happening to bills?
What are cold weather payments and who is eligible?What are cold weather payments and who is eligible?
What are cold weather payments and who is eligible?
What can I do if I can't pay my energy bill?
What can I do if I can't pay my energy bill?What can I do if I can't pay my energy bill?
Related TopicsRelated Topics
PensionersPensioners
MoneyMoney
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Energy industryEnergy industry
DisabilityDisability
Cost of LivingCost of Living