Millions start receiving £301 of living expenses payment | UK News
More than 8,000,000 households across the UK will see £301 of land in their bank accounts from today.
The first of three new government living expenses will be received by families across the country struggling to navigate the ongoing financial crisis.
It will be a timely boost as many low-income households struggle to keep up with the staggering costs of soaring water bills, energy prices and council taxes.
This month, the price of the weekly grocery store is rising at its fastest pace in 45 years, while other bills like broadband, cell phone plans and prescription drugs are rising.
Cost of living payments were made for the first time last year to help people with rising gas and electricity bills and two payments totaling £650 were made.
In the final installment, those eligible receive £900 from the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP), while some are entitled to up to £1,350.
That’s how it works.
Who is entitled to the flat-rate living allowance?
Individuals who were eligible for a payment on any of seven benefits between January 26 and February 25, 2023 are eligible for a living expense payment.
The eligible services are:
- universal credit
- pension credit
- Income-related unemployment benefit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- social care
- Labor Tax Credit
- child allowance
How can you request payment?
Eligible customers do not have to apply for their money.
The payment goes automatically to bank accounts or building societies.
If you think you may be entitled to living expenses, you can check your benefit entitlement using the calculator on the government website to get a better idea of what you might be entitled to.
The Government has warned that if you have received a message asking you to make an application or contact someone about payment, this could be a scam.
When is the living allowance paid?
Payments are sent automatically and directly to customers’ bank accounts by the DWP, with a reference of their social security number followed by “DWP COL”.
You will be paid between:
- April 25 and May 17 for most people with DWP benefits
- May 2 and 9 for most people with tax credits and no other low-income benefits
This payment is the first of three payments totaling up to £900 for those eligible in tax year 2023-2024.
Those entitled to disability benefits will also receive a £150 payment this summer, while pensioners will receive a £300 payment at the end of 2023 to accompany winter fuel payments.
What if I don’t receive my payment?
The government has announced that payments made during this window will be staggered over the next few weeks.
This means not everyone who is eligible for a payment will receive it today, so don’t panic if your payment hasn’t come through yet.
What other support is there?
If you are not entitled to this payment, you may be able to do so Get help in other ways.
The payments are part of a package of comprehensive government support announced to reduce the cost of living in the 2023-2024 tax year, including:
- A further £300 of living allowance for eligible families in Autumn 2023, with a payment of £299 in Spring 2024
- £150 living expenses payment for eligible disabled people to be paid in summer 2023
- £300 living allowance for pensioners to be paid in winter 2023-2024
Detailed information on how the cost of living payment works can be found on the government website here.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, Visit our news page.