Millions of households on means-tested benefits, including tax credits, will receive up to three Cost of Living Payments worth £900 in total over 2023 to 2024.
This includes all eligible households receiving the following benefits: Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
The first payment of £301 will be made between 25 April and 17 May.
The second payment of £300 due to be made in the Autumn 2023, and the third payment of £299 due to be made in the Spring of 2024.
Payments will be made separately from benefits and automatically via usual payment methods. You do not need to contact HMRC or DWP or apply for the payment.
If you have had a message asking you to apply or contact someone about the payment, this may be a scam.
Those who are eligible for the £301 Cost of Living Payment solely through tax credits and are not eligible through DWP means-tested benefits, will be paid by HMRC between 2 and 9 May. The payment will appear in customers’ bank accounts with the reference ‘HMRC COLS’, referencing Cost of Living Support.
Other supports
An extra £150 payment to people on qualifying disability benefits will be available, and guidance will be updated with the qualifying date for the payment when it has been announced.
There will also be an extra £300 for pensioner households paid as an increase to their winter fuel payment to be paid in Winter.
Check your eligibility
The Department for Work and Pensions is also encouraging low-income pensioners not already getting Pension Credit to check their eligibility, as they can still qualify for the £301 Cost of Living Payment if they make a successful backdated Pension Credit application by 19 May.
For more information, please go to: Cost of Living Payments 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
