A £310 cost of living payment is being rolled out across millions of households from today as part of an overall £900 support package for those on means-tested benefits.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is issuing payments to some 7.2 million households across Britain, including 686,000 in Scotland, between April 25 and May 17, 2023.
GB News Economics and Business Editor Liam Halligan has offered detail on the handouts, and outlined how to claim the payments.
He told Bev Turner and Andrew Pierce: “Basically, this is households on Universal Benefit and some other benefits will be getting £301 into their bank accounts between now and the 17 May.
Liam Halligan outlines what to do if you think you're eligible for cost of living payments
PA / GB News
“There will be another £300 in the autumn and another £300 in the winter. These are one-off additional payments to help with the cost of living crisis.
“These payments were much bigger last year, more like £1200-£1500, so they’re a lot less. They’re there to help with energy payments and food bills for the vulnerable.
“There’s special additions for pensioners, around eight million people are on the benefits that qualify you for these payments.”
Halligan said in most cases, people do not need to take action and the payments will be made automatically, but there may be some instances where people eligible are not signed up for the benefits in question.
He said: “There’s nothing that you need to do - this money will appear automatically in your bank account.
“If you think you are eligible, the best advice I can offer is go to Citizens’ Advice. They are a fabulous organisation, a very reputable charity who will look at your case and give you on your side advice.”
Payments will appear on accounts as ‘DWP COLP’, along with the claimant’s National Insurance number.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride, said on the start of the payment window: “This latest additional payment will be welcomed by millions of families - as will further payments due over the next year.
“We have continually supported those most vulnerable to rising costs, including through record benefits and national living wage increases as well as these exceptional Cost of Living Payments responding to the global pressures we are facing.
“We will also continue to deliver on our five priorities, including halving inflation, as this will ease pressure on households currently struggling with household bills and rising prices.”
Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, added: “The best thing we can do to help people’s money go further is deliver on our priorities to halve inflation and grow the economy.
“But we’re also here to help people through these tough times, which is why we’re holding down energy bills, freezing fuel duty, increasing Universal Credit, and giving £900 payments to low income and vulnerable families - all in part funded through windfall taxes on energy profits.”
Jeremy Hunt is committed to helping families during 'tough times'
GB NewsThe £301 payment will be made to eligible households who are receiving the following benefits:
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit (Paid by HMRC if no other DWP means-tested benefit is also claimed)
- Child Tax Credit (Paid by HMRC if no other DWP means-tested benefit is also claimed)
- Universal Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
The payment will be tax-free and will not count towards the benefit cap. It will also have no impact on existing benefit awards.
