The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has updated its guidance ahead of paying out £1,350 in cost of living payments this year.

More than eight million people will qualify for a new £900 cash boost, available to people in receipt of means-tested benefits including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and tax credits.

Those £900 payments will begin in Spring and will be paid in three instalments directly into claimants’ bank accounts through the year.

There will also be a separate £150 payment for more than six million disabled people, and an extra £300 for eight million pensioners on top of their Winter Fuel payments.

Bournemouth Echo:

This is everything you need to know about the upcoming cost of living payments.

Who is eligible for DWP £900 cost of living payments?

You will be entitled for the three cost of living payments of £301, 300 and £299 if you receive any of the following benefits or tax credits on a certain date:

  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Pension Credit
  • Universal Credit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit

The DWP says: “This guidance will be updated with the qualifying dates for each payment when they have been announced.

“The payment will be made separately from your benefit.

“If you have a joint claim on the qualifying dates, a single payment of £301, £300 and £299 will be sent using the same payment method used between these dates, if you’re eligible.

“You will not be eligible for the Cost of Living Payment if your benefit is reduced to £0 for the qualifying period. This is sometimes called a ‘nil award’.

“For example, if you get Universal Credit, reasons your benefit may be reduced to £0 include getting more than one payment of earnings, your or your partner’s earnings go up, your or your partner’s savings go up, you start getting another benefit.

“If money has been taken off for other reasons (such as payments of rent to your landlord or for money that you owe), you might still be eligible.”

Who is eligible for DWP £150 Disability cost of living payment?

DWP guidance states that you can get the £150 payment if you receive any of the following benefits:

  • 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

The guidance says: “Most people will be paid the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment during summer 2023.

“This guidance will be updated with the payment dates before the payments start.

“Payments will be made to people who were getting a qualifying disability from DWP before payments to people who were getting a qualifying benefit from the Ministry of Defence.

“Your payment might come later, for example if you’re awarded a qualifying benefit at a later date or you change the account your benefit or tax credits are paid into. You will still be paid the Cost of Living Payment automatically.”

Who is eligible for £300 pensioner cost of living payment?

DWP guidance says: “If you’re 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.

“The full amount of Winter Fuel Payment (including the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment) you will get for winter 2023 to 2024 depends on when you were born and your circumstances during the qualifying dates.”

You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024 if you were born before 24 September 1957.

You will be sent a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get if you’re eligible.