Cost of Living Payments

If you receive any of the following benefits you will probably be entitled to a Low Income Cost of Living Payment:

• Universal Credit
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Child or Working Tax Credit

Last year’s payment amounted to £650, made in two separate instalments in July and November. Further payments totalling £900 will be made during the 2023-24 financial year.

A payment of £301 was issued to those on the above benefits between 25 April and 17 May 2023.

The next payment of £300 will be made to those on Universal Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support and Pension Credit between 31 October and 19 November 2023. Those on Child or Working Tax Credit will receive the payment between 10 and 19 November 2023. Payments are issued automatically.

People will be eligible for the next Cost of Living Payment of £300 if they were entitled to a payment of one of the qualifying benefits during the period 18 August to 17 September 2023, including where they are later found to be entitled for that period (for example, following a successful appeal).

A final payment of £299 will be issued in spring 2024.

If you did not receive a payment and think you should have, you can report a missing payment online. Alternatively, get in touch with your local advice centre for support.

Those in receipt of the following disability benefits should now have received a further payment of £150 in recognition of the higher cost of living they experience:

• Attendance Allowance
• Constant Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance for adults
• Disability Living Allowance for children
• Personal Independence Payment
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• War Pension Mobility Supplement
• Adult or Child Disability Payment in Scotland

Payments were issued between 20 June and 4 July 2023 to those in receipt of a qualifying benefit on 1 April 2023, so report a missing payment online if you have not received it as expected. You can then contact the Disability and Carers Service on 0800 587 0912 if you do not receive a reply.

An extra £300 top-up to the Winter Fuel Allowance is being provided for pensioners in recognition of their higher energy consumption.

To qualify for the Winter Fuel Allowance, you need to have reached State Pension age by the qualifying week, which for this winter’s payment means you were born before 25 September 1957.

Most payments are made automatically during November and December, but if you do not receive the State Pension contact your local advice centre for assistance.

More information about the Winter Fuel Allowance is available at nidirect.