HARD-UP households are set to start getting the £650 cost of living payment from today.
Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the cash boost would be handed out as part of a £15 billion emergency package for low income households.
You will need to be on means tested benefits to get the help
But many people are still unclear whether they’ll be able to get their hands on the extra help – including those who live in shared accommodation.
The first instalment is worth £326 and will land in bank accounts from today – payments will be staggered from now on.
It’s worth remembering that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have said applicants may not receive money at the same time.
This is because there are millions of payments that need to go out and they can’t all be processed in a single day.
So don’t worry if yours hasn’t come in today, it might take another couple of weeks to be processed.
Who qualifies?
Not everyone will qualify for the payment.
You will need to be on certain means-tested benefits to get the help – and even then you may not qualify.
The government will also examine your salary and other forms of income prior to granting the payment.
Those who only receive housing benefits will not be granted this cost of living payment.
Households receiving the following should be eligible for the free cash:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
Is the £650 cost of living payment one per household?
Yes – you’ll only get one payment per household.
So for example, if you are a couple with an eligible benefit claim, you can only get £650.
This payment will be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.
There are other payments that you can get if you are struggling- for example all domestic energy customers in the UK will receive a £400 grant to help with energy bills.
And those in Council Tax bands A-D in England are getting an extra £150 in the form of a rebate on their bill.
Will I get a cost of living payment if I live in shared housing?
The payment operates in exactly the same way as benefits do – if you live in shared housing and you are eligible you can get the payment.
Somebody else who is completely unrelated to you, living in the same building/property can also get the payment.
If you are a couple, however, with an eligible benefit claim, then you can only get one.
Elsewhere on SE, a former NHS worker says he is forced to live off green vegetable juice and can’t even afford to use his oven after his Universal Credit was cut back.
And Brits face delay of up to two weeks for vital £650 Cost of Living support.