Eight million to receive second Cost of Living Payment

Glamorgan Star news 04/10/2022

2 minutes read

Cost of living cash boost. Photo: Adobe.

Eight million to receive second Cost of Living Payment:

Millions of households across the UK will receive a £324 cost of living cash boost by 23rd November. 

Over eight million households are set to receive an additional £324 as part of the UK Government’s Cost of Living support package
The £324 Cost of Living Payment, which follows on from a £326 payment made from July, is part of £1,200 support package for millions this year 
The £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment was provided in September, with a £300 additional pensioner payment to come in the Winter

The UK Government has today announced that households receiving DWP benefits will receive the second part of the £650 Cost of Living Payment from 8th November and continuing through to the 23rd.

Over eight million families have already received the first Cost of Living Payment, worth £326, which was sent out from 14th July this year.

The second payment will automatically be paid into the bank accounts of those eligible in the UK who receive a qualifying benefit, meaning they will not need to do anything to receive the money.

Work and Pensions Secretary Chloe Smith said:  “Millions of families will soon see a £324 cash boost as part of our extensive £1,200 support package, helping to raise incomes and manage the rising cost of living.

“We understand that people are struggling which is why and we’re committed to supporting the most vulnerable households. That’s also why we are focused on driving growth and delivering quality public services so we can continue to support those in need through these challenging times while boosting opportunity for all.” 

Secretary of State for Wales Robert Buckland said: “The UK Government is committed to helping people in Wales who are struggling with their bills this winter. That’s why over 425,000 households in Wales will receive this additional support.

“The payment will be delivered directly to qualifying families and we will continue to do all we can to support those in need in Wales and across the UK.”

The DWP will pay a small number of payments on the 8th November, with numbers increasing significantly from the 9th. 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 those who receive tax credits and no other eligible benefits. These will be paid shortly after DWP payments and customers do not need to contact the government or apply for the payment at any stage. 

This payment comes on top of extensive UK Government support with the cost of living this winter, including around six million disabled people having been paid a separate £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment, whilst over eight million pensioner households will receive an extra one-off £300 Winter Fuel Payment this year. This is in addition to an extension to the Household Support Fund, which is providing an extra £421 million for use between October and March to help vulnerable people with the essentials.

As well as this, a £150 Council Tax rebate was sent earlier this year to those in Council Tax bands A-D in England, creating a total of at least £1,200 in direct support for millions. A £400 reduction on energy bills is also being given to all domestic electricity customers over the coming months, and a new ‘Energy Price Guarantee’, which means from 1st October the average UK household will save at least £1,000 a year based on current energy prices.