If you are claiming certain benefits or tax credits, you could be eligible for a payment to help you with the cost of living.
These payments are not taxable and won’t affect the benefits or tax credits you already get.
Did you receive your first Cost of Living Payment?’
If entitled, you should have received your first payment by the end of July. Claimants who have not received their Cost of Living payment should go to Cost of Living Payment – GOV.UK and scroll to the link ‘report a missing Cost of Living payment’.
Here you will be able to enter your personal details for their missing payment to be investigated.
The second payment is due to be made available in the autumn, so please do not worry if you have not yet received your second payment.
Any issues please contact the Money Advice Team.
Eligibility
Low income benefits and tax credits
You may get a payment of £650 paid in two lump sums of £326 and £324 if you are a claimant of certain benefits. You may be eligible if you already receive any of the following:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
For more information on the eligibility criteria, visit Cost of Living Payment – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Disability Cost of Living Payment
You could receive a one-off payment of £150 if you receive any of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
You must have received a payment (or later receive a payment) of one of these qualifying benefits for 25 May 2022 to get the payment. Payments will be made from September 2022.
Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
If you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023, you will get an extra £300 for your household paid with your normal payment from November 2022. This is in addition to any Cost of Living Payment you get with your benefit or tax credits.
Your Winter Fuel Payment amount depends on your circumstances. You can find more information about this here Cost of Living Payment – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
If you need support with your finances, we are here to help.
Please contact our Money Advice Team who will offer you advice and support on coping with the cost of living crisis.
You can also talk to RCT Citizens Advice via phone 0800 7022 020, or at their offices in Mountain Ash. They can provide you with free, confidential advice to help you with the problems you may be facing.