Martin Lewis has defended those set to receive a £301 cost of living payment next month.

The Money Saving Expert defended the payment, part of a package of £900 being paid out to more than 8 million people this year.

The Department for Work and Pensions confirmed the date of the first £301 of that package yesterday (Monday, March 27) prompting backlash from some commentators.

Taking to Twitter, Martin Lewis said: “A few hard comments about the benefits cost of living payments.

 

“Remember 40% of people on UC work.  Many who don't are due to disability, illness, caring responsibility.

“Some in the middle need help too (why I campaigned for energy price not to rise) but don't make it 'us v em'.”

Who is eligible for DWP £301 cost of living payment?

The full list of benefit recipients that qualify for the upcoming Cost of Living payment are those who receive:

  • Universal Credit
  • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Pension Credit

The qualifying period for this payment is between 26 January and 25 February 2023.

To be eligible for the Cost of Living Payment, you need to have been entitled to a payment for one of these benefits between 26 January and 25 February 2023, or payment for an assessment period ending between these dates.

The DWP is also encouraging low-income pensioners not already getting Pension Credit to check their eligibility, as they can still qualify for the £301 Cost of Living Payment if they make a successful backdated Pension Credit application by 19 May.

When will DWP cost of living payments be received?

The exact payment dates are yet to be announced by the DWP, but this is when to expect each individual payment over the next year:

  • First cost of living payment - £301 – April 25 to May 17
  • Disability payment - £150 – Summer 2023
  • Second cost of living payment - £300 – Autumn 2023
  • Pensioner payment - £300 – Winter 2023
  • Third cost of living payment - £299 – Spring 2024

Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, added: “I know that times are tough, which is why a key focus of the Spring Budget was supporting people with the cost of living and helping people into well-paid work.

“Not only are we providing £900 in direct cash payments to millions of the most vulnerable households, we’ve also extended the Energy Price Guarantee to hold bills down until energy prices fall, raised the National Living Wage to £10.42, put an end to the prepayment meter premium and delivered a plan that will more than halve inflation this year – ensuring everyone’s incomes go further.”