Cost of Living Support - Cost of living support FAQs

Cost of living support FAQs

Is there a cost of living payment for 2023/2024?

Yes. The government has announced the cost of living payment of £900 for 2023/2024. This will be paid in three instalments across the year:

• First instalment £301 was paid during Spring 2023. 
• Second instalment £300 was paid during Autumn 2023. 
• Third instalment £299 was paid during Winter 2024. 

How do I tell if I was getting Universal Credit on the right date to qualify for the £900 payment? 

The first instalment was paid if you were getting Universal Credit in an assessment period that ended between 26 January 2023 and 25 February 2023. 

The second instalment was be paid if you were getting Universal Credit in an assessment period that ended between 18 August 2023 and 17 September 2023. 

The third instalment was paid if you were getting Universal Credit in an assessment period that ended between 13 November 2023 to 12 December 2023.

You can view your Assessment Period dates by looking at your Universal Credit statement in your online journal. 

If that statement gave you entitlement to Universal Credit of any amount of money above £0, you are able to get the first or second or both instalments of the £900 payment. 

There are several people living in my home with their own benefit claims, can we each get the payments? 

The Disability Payments were paid per disabled person, so if multiple people in the property or household get disability benefits, then each of them was entitled to get the extra £150. 

The £900 is paid per benefit household. For example, if someone lives with their adult son, or their friend, and each person has their own Universal Credit Claim, each of them is entitled to get the £900 payment. If you live with a partner, you are only entitled to £900 payment for the two of you. 

Is there any other help I can get as well as this?

Financial health check

Make sure you have checked out @@HYPERLINK0@@ you can get to increase your income and reduce your spending. 

I'm struggling - is there anything I can access now?

Councils have been given money to support people who are struggling. Contact your council to see what help they can offer.

Cost of living support for 2022

The cost of living payment for 2022 was £650. 

The first payment of the £650 was paid if you were getting certain benefits between 26 April and 25 May 2022. 

The second payment of the £650 was paid if you were getting certain benefits between 26 August and 25 September 2022. 

If you think you should have received a payment and have not, contact the office that pays your benefit.