Benefits and support for your household
3. Cost of Living payments
The government is making a number of additional lump sum Cost of Living payments to people entitled to certain benefits and tax credits.
See the Cost of Living payments information on GOV.UK for more information.
Depending on your circumstances and which benefits you get, you may receive one, two or all three of the different Cost of Living Payments.
Watch out for scams
Watch out for scammers targeting people about Cost of Living Payments.
If you're eligible you will not need to:
- apply (payment is automatic)
- give your bank details
See our Scambuster Stan Facebook page for more information on the latest scams or find out more about how to report and prevent scams and doorstep crime on our website.
Eligibility and payment 2023-24
You should receive a payment of £900 paid in 3 separate lump sums of £301, £300 and £299.
if you receive any of the following:
- Universal Credit
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
To get the first Cost of Living Payment of £301, you must have been paid (or later be paid) one of the above benefits for at least one day during the period 26 January to 25 February 2023. The first payment was made between 25 April and 17 May 2023 for most people (between 2 and 9 May 2023 for people on tax credits).
The second and third Cost of Living Payments of £300 and £299 will be paid in autumn 2023 and spring 2024 respectively. The qualifying dates and exact payment dates have not yet been announced.
You can only receive a maximum of £900 even if you receive more than one of the above benefits or you are a couple claiming jointly.
You should receive a lump sum payment of £150 if you’re getting any of the following:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
This was due to be paid automatically during a two-week window starting on 20 June and finishing on 4 July 2023 to anyone who was receiving (or is later found to be entitled to receive) a payment of one of the above benefits on 1 April 2023.
If you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024, you will get an extra £150 or £300 paid with your normal payment from November 2023.