COST-OF-LIVING PAYMENTS – Latest £300 instalment is being paid from now

Millions of low-income households across the UK are starting to receive the latest instalment of cost-of-living payments from Tuesday.

Eight million people on means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit, will receive £300 directly by 19 November, without the need to make a claim.  It is the second of three instalments that will eventually total £900.

A committee of MPs is currently investigating whether the payments are supporting those most in need.

The payment, in three instalments, is available to households who receive the following benefits, Universal credit, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, Income-related employment and support allowance, Income support, Working tax credit, Child tax credit or Pension credit.

The 1.1 million people who receive only working tax credit or child tax credit, rather than any of the other benefits, are paid slightly later than others.

People are not eligible for these payments if they receive the new-style employment and support allowance, contributory employment and support allowance, or the new-style jobseeker’s allowance – unless they get universal credit.