Vale benefit claimants to receive £324 from today:
Almost one in four families across the UK will receive £324 from the Government this month as the latest Cost of Living Payments are sent out from today.
• Over eight million benefit claimants to receive £324 this month as part of Cost of Living support
• DWP claimants will receive their second Cost of Living payment by 23rd November, and eligible tax credit claimants, on no other means-tested benefits, will receive it between 23rd and 30th November
• Payments will automatically be made to everyone eligible, with no need for anyone to apply
According to UK Government figures out today, approximately 426,000 families in Wales – 12,800 in the Vale – are eligible for the means-tested benefit cost of living payment.
Over eight million households in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland who claimed qualifying means-tested benefits during the eligibility period will be automatically paid £324 this month, as part of £1,200 worth of direct help for households.
The payments will be made directly into eligible recipients’ bank accounts, with no need for people to apply or do anything to receive it.
The payment reference on DWP recipients’ bank accounts will be their national insurance number, followed by “DWP COL”. For HMRC recipients the payment reference will be “HMRC COLS”.
New Secretary of State for Wales, David TC Davies said: “Nearly half a million families in Wales will receive £324 directly from the UK Government to help with the cost of living. This money is targeted at those who need it most to help them through this winter.
“We recognise that people on low incomes are worried and we are doing all we can to support them with this payment and a wider package of help.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: “We understand that people are struggling and that is why we’ve consistently acted to ensure millions of low-income families are supported. We will continue to act with compassion as we navigate challenging global economic circumstances.
“As part of a wider £37 billion package of support, this latest £324 payment will help the most vulnerable people in our society who are worrying about their finances through the winter months.”
The Government’s £1,200 support package contains £400 for energy bills that is being paid in monthly instalments to all domestic energy customers between now and March. It also includes a £150 Council Tax rebate for 85 percent of all UK households and the previous £326 Cost of Living Payment made by DWP in July and by HMRC in September.
On top of this, nearly one in ten people received the £150 disability payment in September, and a £300 addition to Winter Fuel Payments will go to over eight million pensioner households over the winter.
Those eligible to receive the second cost of living payment from today include people on Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support and Pension Credit.
To be eligible, claimants must have been claiming and entitled to a payment between 26th August and 25th September, with the exception of pensioner households, who may be able to have a new Pension Credit claim backdated.
They have until 18th December to submit a valid claim for Pension Credit, which could entitle them to the £324 Cost of Living payment. Anyone can check their eligibility for Pension Credit using the online calculator or by calling the freephone claim line (0800 99 1234).
Even if you are not on a qualifying DWP benefit you may still be eligible for the £324 payment, as HMRC are also making payments to over a million people who receive Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit and no other eligible benefits. These will be paid between 23rd and 30th November and customers do not need to contact the government or apply for the payment at any stage.
The £324 payment and the overall £1,200 package come on top of wide-ranging Government support with the cost of living this winter, including an extension to the Household Support Fund, which is providing an extra £421 million between October and March to help vulnerable people with the essentials.
As well as this, the Energy Price Guarantee is ensuring people across the country pay significantly less for their energy bills, with a typical household saving around £700 this winter.
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