Cost of living payment
You may be able to get a payment to help with the cost of living if you're getting certain benefits or tax credits.
About the Cost of Living Payments
The Government is providing £37 billion this year to help households combat the rising cost of living.
If you are claiming a low-income benefit and think that you are entitled to a Cost of Living Payment, you don't need to do anything. You'll get the payments automatically.
To find out more visit - GOV.UK - Cost of Living Payment
You do not need to apply. You'll be paid automatically. If you have had a message asking you to apply or contact someone about the payment, this might be a scam.
If you're eligible, you'll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits. This includes if you're found to be eligible for a cost of living payment or a disability cost of living payment at a later date.
You could get up to 3 different types of payment depending on your circumstances on a particular date or during a particular period:
- a cost of living payment, if you get a qualifying low income benefit or tax credits
- a disability cost of living payment, if you get a qualifying disability benefit
- a pensioner cost of living payment, if you're entitled to a winter fuel payment for winter 2022 to 2023
These payments are not taxable and will not affect the benefits or tax credits you get.
To check what benefits and financial support you're eligible for please visit the online financial support checker.
Find out if you're eligible for financial support
If you would like any more information please read the cost of living support factsheet.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Cost of Living Payment
How do people apply for these Cost of Living Payments?
People do not need to apply for Cost of Living payments. If they are eligible, they will be paid automatically in the same way that they usually receive their benefit or tax credits.
Will these payments affect other benefits?
These payments are not taxable and will not affect the benefits or tax credits people already receive.
How will people know they are eligible? What are the qualifying dates and requirements?
To get the first Cost of Living Payment of £326, people must have been entitled to a payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) of either Universal Credit for an assessment period that ended in the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022 or income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Income Support or Pension Credit for any day in the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022.
For Tax Credit customers - To get the first Cost of Living Payment of £326, customers must have received a payment, or an annual award of at least £26, of tax credits for any day in the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022.
GOV.UK will be updated when the qualifying dates to get the second payment of £324 have been announced by the Government.
When will the second cost of living payment be paid?
We will be communicating with customers when payment dates for the second payment of £324 are confirmed, but we expect this to be by the end of September 2022. Eligible customers receiving tax credits only, will receive their second payment in Winter 2022.
Why are the two amounts, of £326 and £324, slightly different?
This will help people to know they have received both payments and avoid the risk of fraud and duplicate payments.
What if a customer gets child tax credit and working tax credit?
If you get both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, you will receive one set of Cost of Living Payments, linked to Child Tax Credit only.
I get additional benefits. Will this affect how much I get?
If you receive tax credits from HMRC or a qualifying low income benefit from DWP, you will receive a Cost of Living Payment from DWP or HMRC. If you also get a qualifying disability benefit, you may receive an additional Disability Cost of Living Payment from DWP.
Why are tax credits customers getting paid later?
It's possible for customers to be entitled to both tax credits and other eligible benefits which are administered by DWP. So, HMRC will make payments to eligible customers receiving tax credits only, shortly after DWP, to avoid duplicate payments.
Useful Links
- Use an independent benefits calculator to find out what benefits you could get
- DWP Press Release
- Cost Of Living Factsheet
- Cost Of Living campaign website
You may be able to get other kinds of support, including: