The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has today announced more detail on the payment schedule for the next round of cost of living support unveiled in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, building on payments made to over eight million people in 2022.
- £900 Cost of Living Payment for means-tested benefit claimants will go direct to bank accounts in three payments over the financial year
- Extra cash support for disabled people and pensioners will see some households receive extra cash
A new £900 cash boost for over eight million eligible households on means tested benefits: Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Pension Credit starts in Spring. There will also be a separate £150 for over six million disabled people and £300 for over eight million pensioners on top of their Winter Fuel Payments.
Exact payment windows will be announced closer to the time, but are spread across a longer period to ensure a consistent support offering throughout the year. They will be broadly as follows:
- £301 – First Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2023
- £150 – Disability Payment – during Summer 2023
- £300 – Second Cost of Living Payment – during Autumn 2023
- £300 – Pensioner Payment – during Winter 2023/4
- £299 – Third Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2024
- For each payment, exact payment start dates and eligibility criteria will be communicated by the Department before payments begin. Claimants who are eligible for any of the Cost of Living Payments and receive tax credits, and no other means-tested benefits, will receive payment from HMRC shortly after DWP payments are issued.
- These payments will all be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
Ella Smith,
Welfare Rights Adviser.
The ME Association.
