HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS UK THAT WILL GET £900 COST OF LIVING PAYMENT

Feeling the strain of increasing living costs? You're not alone. Most households qualify for government support this winter, with £400 yet to come in February and March. But what else can you expect? Even more help is coming over the next 2 yrs. That's right - up to £1350 in total!

The Chancellor emerged from his Autumn Statement with a promise: £900 more for 8 million low-income folks in 2023. And that’s got nothing on increases to working-age benefits plus an Energy Price Guarantee which caps your average bill at £2.5K. If you’re claiming means-tested benefits, lucky you - you also qualify for 3 payments of that £900 as we roll into the next financial year!

Not sure if you’re eligible for the bonus £900? Don’t worry - millions of households are! Whether it’s benefits or pensions, up to three lump sum payments of £900 each can be received. You’ll need to have been receiving an applicable benefit by a certain date that hasn’t yet been said, but no worries - we’ll keep you posted.

Plus don’t forget: tax-free, won’t count towards caps and won’t affect existing awards either! And there’s even more available to those who qualify - disabled people can get an extra £150 and pensioners shall receive an additional £300 plus Winter Fuel Payments.

Exact qualifying dates will be announced closer to the time, so there are no exact dates published by the Government yet. The general payment periods will be as follows:

£301 – First Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2023 (for those on means-tested benefits)

£150 – Disability Payment – during Summer 2023 (for those on disability benefits)

£300 – Second Cost of Living Payment – during Autumn 2023 (for those on means-tested benefits)

£300 – Pensioner Payment – during Winter 2023/4 (for pensioners who get the Winter Fuel Payment)

£299 – Third Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2024 (for those on means-tested benefits)

So spring will be when the first payment arrives. This indicates it will be sometime between April 5, when the new financial year starts, and June 21, which is the astronomical start of summer.

What exactly are means-tested benefits?

‘Means’ is a word for money or capital. So these are income-based benefits, where the amount paid is dependent on a person’s financial situation. A person may find their benefits reduced or their claim refused because of the amount of money they earn from wages or investments or have stashed away in savingsfor instance, Universal Credit is reduced when savings exceed £6,000 and stops altogether if savings reach £16,000.

If you’re eligible for Universal Credit, JSA, ESA, Income Support, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit then you could get £900 from the gov. But if you’re getting New Style Employment and Support Allowance, contributory ESA or New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance plus do NOT qualify for the sum.

And don’t worry if on any of these other benefits: Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and State Pension. If it’s one of those then you still get some cash coming your way - like £150 due in 2023 - whilst those claiming a State Pension can look forward to an extra £300 on their Winter Fuel Payment.