When will the next living expenses be paid?
MILLIONS of households have received free money to ease the high cost of living – and more are set to come.
The money, worth a total of £1,350, is part of a wider package of government support announced to tackle living costs.
Millions of payments hit accounts last spring and summer, but more remain.
A total of £900 will be paid to each household in three installments as a means-tested benefit.
A £150 living allowance has also been given to eligible people with certain disabilities.
In addition, a pension payment of £300 will follow later this year. We explain everything you need to know.
Read more about the cost of living
£900 for people on means tested benefits
More than eight million households received the first installment of their £900 cash for the first time in April 2023.
It was the first of three payments for eligible people on means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit.
The £301 payment was paid directly into bank accounts between April 25 and May 17.
Meanwhile, one million households with tax credits received the first part of their living expenses from May 2.
The second tranche was paid out to households receiving benefits between October 31 and November 19.
Households with tax credits received their payment from HMRC between November 10 and November 19.
The third and final installment – worth £299 – will be paid directly into bank accounts between February 6 and 22, 2024.
Do you only receive tax credits? Then you will receive the payment from February 16.
The full list of benefits that qualify people for the payments is:
- Universal credit
- Income-related benefit for job seekers
- Income-related employment and support benefit
- Income support
- Working tax credit
- Child tax credit
- Pension credit
If you received any of the above benefits between January 26 and February 25 this year, you received the first payment of £301.
You also received the second if you were eligible between August 18 and September 17.
To get the third, you must be entitled to one of the eligible benefits between November 13 and December 12.
If you are later found to be entitled between these eligible dates, you will also be eligible for the payment.
The payments do not affect the benefit amount you normally receive and do not contribute to the benefit ceiling.
£150 payout towards disability living expenses
Last summer a £150 living allowance was paid to six million people with disabilities.
The tax-free money went out between June 20 and July 4.
However, a small number of people saw the £150 appear in their accounts after July 4.
This applied if you were waiting for confirmation of your eligibility for the eligible benefits on April 1.
You had to receive the benefits below to be eligible for the £150 living expenses payment:
- Housing benefit for the disabled
- Personal Independence Payment
- Attendance allowance
- Scottish disability benefits (adult disability benefit and child disability benefit)
- Armed Forces Independence Pay
- Constant attendance allowance
- Mobility supplement war pension
Payment of £300 towards living expenses for pensioners
A £300 pensioner living expenses payment was also made during the winter.
If you were entitled to a winter fuel payment for the winter of 2023 to 2024, you will be paid the extra money with your normal payment.
The last day of automatic payments was January 26. So you need to take action now if you haven't received yours.
The full amount of winter fuel payment (including pensioner living expenses payment) you will receive for winter 2023 to 2024 will depend on your date of birth and your circumstances during the eligible dates.
You can receive a Winter Fuel Allowance for the winter of 2023 to 2024 if you were born before September 24, 1957.
A letter will be sent to you stating how much Winter Fuel Payment you will receive if you qualify.
Check whether you are entitled to benefits
Various charities have a benefit calculator with which you can calculate whether you are entitled to extra help.
This includes:
- Turn2Us
- Policy in practice
- Entitled to
It is worth investigating your eligibility, which may also make you eligible for the £900 living expenses payment.
Before using such a tool, make sure you have all relevant paperwork to hand, including bank statements and any information about pensions and existing benefits.
You will also need to provide information about yourself, including your age and who you live with.
Please note, however, that the tools only give you an indication of the benefits you may be entitled to.
Do you have a money problem that needs to be solved? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.
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