The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed the dates for the next instalment of the cost of living payments, benefits and pensions for millions of households in the UK. The payments are part of a scheme to help low-income families cope with the rising cost of living amid the ongoing inflation crisis.
What are the cost of living payments?
The cost of living payments are a series of cash injections that the government is providing to eligible claimants of means-tested benefits, such as universal credit, pension credit and tax credits. The payments are worth up to £1,350 in total and are paid in three instalments throughout the year.
The first payment of £301 was issued between 25 April and 17 May (or 2 to 9 May for people on tax credits but no other low-income benefits). The second payment of £300 will be paid in autumn 2023, and the third payment of £300 will be paid in winter 2023.
In addition, there will be a separate £150 payment for more than six million people with disabilities and an extra £300 for over eight million pensioners.
The payments are designed to help households with the rising cost of food, energy and other essentials, as inflation has soared to 6.8 per cent in July, well above the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target. The bank has raised interest rates twice this year, from 5.25 per cent to 5.5 per cent, making borrowing more expensive for many homeowners and businesses.
When will the payments be made in September?
The DWP has announced that the next payment dates for the cost of living payments, benefits and pensions will be as follows:
- Pension credit: The next payment date will be Monday, 4 September. Pension credit is a means-tested benefit that tops up the state pension for low-income pensioners. It is paid every four weeks.
- Personal independence payment (PIP): The next payment date will be Friday, 8 September. PIP is a benefit that helps people with disabilities or long-term health conditions with the extra costs they face. It is paid every four weeks.
- Disability living allowance (DLA): The next payment date will be Monday, 11 September. DLA is a benefit that helps people with disabilities or long-term health conditions with the extra costs they face. It is paid every four weeks.
- Attendance allowance: The next payment date will be Tuesday, 12 September. Attendance allowance is a benefit that helps people aged 65 or over who need help with personal care or supervision because of a disability or long-term health condition. It is paid every four weeks.
- Carer’s allowance: The next payment date will be Wednesday, 13 September. Carer’s allowance is a benefit that helps people who look after someone who has a disability or long-term health condition. It is paid every four weeks.
- Universal credit: The next payment date will be Thursday, 14 September. Universal credit is a benefit that replaces six other benefits: income support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, housing benefit, child tax credit and working tax credit. It is paid monthly.
- Tax credits: The next payment date will be Friday, 15 September. Tax credits are benefits that help people with low incomes or who have children. They are paid every four weeks or weekly.
How to check if you are eligible for the payments?
To check if you are eligible for the cost of living payments, benefits and pensions, you can use the online benefit calculator on the government website. You will need to provide some information about your income, savings, housing costs and family situation.
You can also contact the DWP by phone or online to find out more about your entitlements and payment dates. You can find the contact details for different benefits here.