Date announced for next Government cost of living payments

Eligible households across the UK will automatically receive a cost of living support payment in November 2023.

The UK Government has confirmed the payment dates for the next in the series of cost of living payments that it introduced in response to the cost of living crisis. Those who receive the payments could receive up to £1,350 over the year. These support payments are being made in instalments to eligible households and are being rolled out through the benefits system, enabling payments to be made directly to households with no application process required.

What payments have been announced?

The Government has announced three types of support payments which will be payable depending on household circumstances. These are three separate cost of living support payments totalling £900 for low income households, a £300 pensioner payment and a £150 disability payment. Of these the first payment for low income households and the disability payment have already been made.

The planned timeline for payments still to be made is as follows:

  • The second £300 low income cost of living payment is due to be paid between 31 October and 19 November for most people. Those on Tax Credits only will receive the payment between 10 and 19 November.
  • Winter 2023/24: A £300 pensioner payment is due (payment date to be confirmed).
  • Spring 2024: The third £299 low income cost of living payment is due (payment date to be confirmed).

Those eligible to receive these payments do not need to do anything to apply. If you are eligible (or if you are found to be eligible at a later date) you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you receive your normal benefit payments. However, if you receive a cost of living payment, but are later found not to have been eligible, you may have to pay it back.

These additional cost of living payments will be made separately from your normal benefit payments, are not taxable and will not affect any of the benefits or tax credits you normally get.

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for one, or more, of these cost of living support payments if you receive certain benefits or Tax Credits.

You could get more than one type of payment depending on your circumstances on a particular date or during a particular period:

  • The second low income cost of living payment, is payable to those who are entitled to (or later found to be entitled to) one of the qualifying low income benefits within the qualifying period of 18 August to 17 September 2023.
    • Universal Credit
    • Income Support
    • Income based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
    • Income related Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
    • Pension Credit
    • Child Tax Credit
    • Working Tax Credit
  • A pensioner cost of living payment is payable to those entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024.

We will share more information on the later payments when this has been confirmed by the Government, including the dates you need to have been in receipt of the qualifying benefit in order to be eligible for these cost of living payments and the dates when the payments will be made.

Further information

Further information on the Government’s cost of living payments is available here.

To make sure your family is claiming all the financial support you are entitled to, contact the Family Benefits Advice Service for a free, personalised ‘better off’ calculation. Freephone 028 9267 8200 or email hello@employersforchildcare.org. Last year, where we provided a ‘better off’ calculation for families, we were able to identify an average of £5,000 in additional financial support.

 

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