Half a million benefit claimants refused £324 cost of living payment

Cost of Living payment: Expert explains who is eligible

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Some eight million people who depend on benefits either because they are out of work, or to top up a low income, were told they were due cost of living support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). However, more than half a million people on Universal Credit didn’t receive it because they had two paydays in the same 30-day qualifying period.

Around 5.8 million people rely on Universal Credit to make ends meet with around a third of these (two million) in work but claiming to top up a low income.

Benefit claimants were sent a £324 cost of living support payment in July to help make ends meet yet more than 500,000 Universal Credit claimants were left bitterly disappointed.

They lost out because their income was temporarily too high to get a cost-of-living payment – even though it is typically much lower.

A further 6,600 Universal Credit claimants were refused the £326 payment because their benefits were temporarily stopped, The Mirror reports.

The DWP said: “The vast majority of existing recipients of Universal Credit will qualify for a cost of living payment but inevitably a small number will be ineligible on the qualification dates because of a change of income, earnings or other circumstance.

“Earnings patterns can vary substantially and it would be impossible to choose qualifying dates that work for every single person on Universal Credit, however, autumn’s second qualifying date reduces the risk that those with non-monthly pay periods that were ineligible for the first payment, miss out altogether.”

To appeal a decision, people can speak to their work coach or leave a message in their journal.

Meanwhile, many cash strapped Britons will be waiting for the second cost of living payment due soon.

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The DWP has confirmed when the second cost of living support payments will be made:

Universal Credit     Autumn 2022   £324

Income-based JSA Autumn 2022 £324

Income-related ESA   Autumn 2022 £324

Income Support Autumn 2022 £324

Pension Credit Autumn 2022 £324

Tax credits Winter 2022 £324.

 

All households can expect a £400 discount on their energy bills in the autumn.

Pensioner households will receive an additional £300 one-off payment while disabled people will get a £150 payment.

The support was announced by former chancellor Rishi Sunak to help people meet the higher cost of living caused by soaring inflation and energy bills.

Anyone who isn’t eligible should get in touch with their local council to see if they can provide any financial assistance through the Household Support Fund.

 

In the meantime, people may be able to claim 30 Universal Credit freebies such as:

  • Reduced council tax bills

  • Capped water bills

  • Half price bus

  • Discounted rail fares

  • Free or discounted gym membership

  • Help with new job costs

  • Warm Home Discount Scheme of £140 off fuel bills

  • £25 in Cold Weather Payments

  • Free or cheap broadband from TalkTalk, Virgin Media and BT

  • Cheap BT phone calls

  • Free prescriptions for people with zero income or those on a low income

  • Free dental treatment

  • Eye tests and discounted glasses

  • Free school transport

  • Free school meals

  • Discounted childcare costs

  • £150 towards school uniforms – dependent on the local authority

  • £1,200 free cash as part of the Government’s Help to Save scheme

  • Food vouchers for kids as part of the Healthy Start scheme

  • Maternity grant up to £1,000

  • Disabled Facilities Grant (up to £30,000) to make changes to a home

  • Homeowners can apply for up to £10,000 to pay for a boiler

  • Homeowners can get help to pay for double glazing as part of the Green Homes Scheme

  • Up to £300 in Winter Fuel Payments

  • Free wigs or fabric support provided by the NHS

  • Free health travel costs

  • Help with housing costs

  • Help with funeral costs

  • Bereavement support payments

  • Reduced court fees.

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