Cost of Living Payments
You may be able to get a payment to help with the cost of living if you’re getting certain benefits or tax credits.
If you are eligible, you will be paid automatically and you do not need to apply. These payments are not taxable and will not affect the benefits or Tax Credits you receive.
Low-income benefits
You may get a payment of £650 paid in two lump sums if you are receiving any of the following:
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
If you are entitled, you will get one payment from July 2022 and a second payment in autumn 2022.
You will need to have been entitled to one of these qualifying benefits on 25 May 2022 to get the first payment.
The Government has not yet announced the date from which you need to have been entitled to these qualifying benefits to get the second payment.
If you have a joint claim with a partner, you will get one payment of £650 for both of you, paid in two lump sums from July 2022 and in autumn 2022, if eligible.
You will not get a payment if you have already received a Cost of Living Payment from HMRC because you were entitled to tax credits.
If you receive New Style Employment and Support Allowance or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance, you will not be entitled to the Cost of Living Payment, unless you get Universal Credit or a disability benefit as well.
If you also receive a qualifying disability benefit, you may get an additional Disability Cost of Living Payment.
Tax Credits
You may get a payment of £650 paid in two lump sums if you have an award of any of the following:
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
If you are entitled, you will get one payment from autumn 2022 and a second payment from winter 2022.
You will need to have been entitled to Tax Credits on 25 May 2022 to get the first payment.
The Government has not yet announced the date from which you need to have been entitled to Tax Credits to get the second payment.
If you have a joint claim with a partner, you will get one payment of £650 for both of you, paid in two lump sums in autumn 2022 and in winter 2022.
You will not get a payment if you have already received a Cost of Living Payment from DWP because you were getting a low income benefit.
If you also receive a qualifying disability benefit, you may get an additional Disability Cost of Living Payment from DWP.
Disability benefits
You may get a lump sum payment of £150 if you receive any of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
You will need to have been entitled to one of these qualifying benefits on 25 May 2022 to get the payment.
You will get the payment by the end of September 2022.
If you also receive a qualifying low income benefit or Tax Credits, you may get an additional Cost of Living Payment.
Winter Fuel Payment
If you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2022 to 2023, you will get an extra £300 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.