As the cost of living continues to affect households across the UK, the government has been providing a package of payments to help most households claiming benefits.

The current guidance that we are aware of is covered below but this help page will be updated when new details become available.

Use these links to jump to the relevant section of the guide for your situation:

• If you’re receiving means-tested benefits
• If you’re receiving the Winter Fuel Payment
• If you’re receiving a disability benefit
• If you’re not receiving any of the above or need extra help

If you’re receiving means-tested benefits

In 2022 households who were claiming one of the means-tested benefits below received a £650 cost of living payment.

In 2023/24 a new payment of £900 will be paid using the same criteria.

The relevant benefits are as follows:

• Universal Credit (1)
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (2)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (2)
• Income Support
• Working Tax Credit (3)
• Child Tax Credit (3)
• Pension Credit

(1) You won't be eligible if you had a 'nil award' during the relevant qualification dates (see below). This may be caused by your earnings reducing your Universal Credit to £0 or if you receive a sanction for not meeting your claimant commitment. If you receive a hardship payment because you got a sanction you may still be able to receive the cost of living payment.

(2) You won't be eligible if you only receive contribution-based or new-style JSA or ESA, as these are based on your national insurance contributions and not your household income.

(3) Your annual award needed to be least £26.

How do the payments work?

Whether you're single or in a couple each payment will only be paid once as they are payments for the household not the individual.

The 2022 £650 was split into two payments. The first was for £326 and the second for £324.

The 2023/24 £900 will be split into three payments. The first will be for £301, the second for £300 and the third for £299.

Where possible, the payments will be made directly into your bank account, you won’t need to apply for them.

When will the payments be made?

2023 payments

The first 2023 payment of £301 was made between 25 April and 17 May (or between 2 and 9 May 2023 for people receiving tax credits) to anyone who was entitled to one of the qualifying benefits between 26 January and 25 February 2023.

We will add details for the second and third payments when the dates are announced but they are planned to be made in Autumn 2023 and Spring 2024 respectively.

2022 payments

For most, the first 2022 payment was made between 14 and 31 July 2022 (or between 2 and 7 September 2022 for people receiving tax credits) to anyone who was entitled to one of the qualifying benefits on 25 May 2022.

The second 2022 payment was made between 8 and 23 November 2022 (or between 23 and 30 November 2022 for people receiving tax credits) to anyone who was entitled to one of the qualifying benefits on 25 September 2022.

If you’re receiving the Winter Fuel Payment

Two £300 cost of living payments will be made to households who are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment.

The Winter Fuel Payment is an automatic tax-free payment (usually paying between £100 and £300 per person, depending on age and circumstances) to most people over pension credit age.

For the winter of 2022 to 2023 this means people born on or before 25 September 1956 and for the winter of 2023 to 2024 this means people born on or before 25 September 1957.

The £300 cost of living amount is on top of the original Winter Fuel Payment amount and will be paid at the same time in November or December each year. The payment will therefore be between £250 and £600 per person, depending on age and circumstances.

Where possible, the payments will be made directly into people’s bank accounts, they won’t need to apply for them.

If you’re receiving a disability benefit

Two £150 cost of living payments will be made to people who are receiving, or have claimed, one 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 vast majority of payments for the first £150 payment were made in early October 2022 to anyone who was receiving one of the qualifying benefits on 25 May 2022.

The second £150 payment was paid between 20 June and 4 July 2023 to anyone who was receiving one of the qualifying benefits on 1 April 2023.

Where possible, the payments will be made directly into people’s bank accounts, they won’t need to apply for them.

If you’re not receiving any of the above or need extra help

When you do a benefits calculation, as well as listing your benefits entitlements, we will let you know if you are eligible for any other entitlements. This includes the Cold Weather Payment, boiler or insulation grants, free school meals / Healthy Start (England and Wales) / Best Start (Scotland), free TV licence and many more.

Energy Price Guarantee

Energy prices are being subsidised by the government via the Energy Price Guarantee. Between 1 October 2022 (1 November 2022 in Northern Ireland) and 31 March 2024 there will be a limit on the amount you can be charged per unit of gas or electricity. See the Energy bills support factsheet on Gov.uk for more information.

IMPORTANT This does not mean the amount you can be charged each month is limited. Your exact bill will still be based on how much energy you use.

Get in touch with your local authority

If you’re on a low income and struggling with essential costs such as food, energy bills, water bills and other essentials, your local council may be able to help. This might be if you're not receiving one of the payments above or you have extra costs to cover, for example if you're disabled or have a large household.

Find out more on our Extra help from your local council help page, or contact your council to see what help may be available.

Get in touch with your utility providers

Gas and Electric: Many of the big energy firms provide grants to help people who are behind with payments. These are mainly allocated to the company's own customers but sometimes to anyone who applies. MoneySavingExpert.com has a list of the grants available.

Telecoms: If you are claiming benefits you may be able to apply for a social tariff for your broadband, landline or mobile which could save you £100s per year. The telecoms regulator ofcom has a list of the social tariffs available.

Water: If you are claiming benefits or on a low income you may be able to apply for a social tariff or other help to pay for your water bill (or any arrears you may be in). The ccwater website has a list of help that may be available in your area.