From November 8th households will start to receive the second half of their £650 Cost of Living Payment. Even if you didn’t qualify for the first payment in July, you may be eligible for the second payment so here is some information, provided by Martin Lewis (Money Saving Expert), you may find useful

Millions of the UK’s poorest households will start to receive the second half of their £650 cost of living payment from 8 November. Here’s all you need to know on whether you’re eligible and when you’ll get your payment.

The payment of £324 will start hitting the bank accounts of qualifying households in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from 8 November, with most payments being made by 23 November – although when exactly you get it will depend on what type of state benefits or support you receive. 

You won’t need to apply for the grant. If you’re eligible you’ll automatically receive the money straight into your bank account. An initial payment of £326 was made earlier this year.

Key qualifying dates for getting the new payment

To get the £324, you need to have been paid (or been eligible for) one of the benefits listed below for any day between 26 August 2022 and 25 September 2022.

This means that you may be eligible for this new payment even if you didn’t get the initial one of £326.

If you’re on low-income benefits, such as universal credit, you should get your second payment in November

You are eligible for the second payment if you are entitled to any of the following:

  • Child tax credit
  • Income support
  • Income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
  • Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
  • Pension credit
  • Universal credit
  • Working tax credit

Were you of state pension age between 26 August and 25 September? Check if you can get pension credit. If you’re eligible, you can still get the second cost of living payment if you make a claim for pension credit before 19 December 2022 and request for it to be backdated. Pension credit can also unlock many other benefits – see our Pension credit guide for full info.

Payments for those who only get tax credits will come after the others

If you only claim child tax credit or working tax credit, the qualifying dates are the same – you would have needed to have received a tax credit payment on any day between 26 August 2022 and 25 September 2022 to get the second cost of living payment. 

However, your payment will come after the others – you can expect it “shortly after” 23 November.

Again, you may be eligible for this new payment even if you didn’t get the initial one of £326, which was paid between 2 and 7 September to those who received a tax credit payment, or an annual award of at least £26, for any day between 26 April 2022 and 25 May 2022.

If you claim certain disability benefits, you may also be eligible for an extra £150

If you receive any of the following, then you could also be eligible for an extra £150 top-up:

  • Armed Forces independence payment
  • Attendance allowance
  • Constant attendance allowance
  • Disability living allowance (for adults or children)
  • Personal independence payment
  • War pension mobility supplement

There were some initial delays with these £150 payments, but most have now been sent out to those eligible. 

Payments will be automatic and you DON’T need to apply – beware scams saying otherwise

If you’re eligible for the cost of living payments, you don’t need to apply. You’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefits or tax credits.

Watch out for texts or emails inviting you to claim or apply for the payment – they’re scams. The DWP has said it’ll never ask you for personal details or banking info over text or email.

Also be warned that if you get a cost of living payment and the DWP later finds you weren’t eligible, you may have to pay it back.

What to do if you were expecting the first payment in July but haven’t got it

The qualifying dates for the first payment were 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022. Most of those eligible should have received their initial payment of £326 in July. 

If you haven’t, and you believe you qualify, you’ll need to contact the government department responsible for your benefits:

  • Child tax credit and working tax credits: call HMRC on 0345 300 3900.
  • Income support, jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) or employment and support allowance (ESA): call the Department for Work and Pensions on 0800 169 0310.
  • Pension credit: call the Pension Service on 0800 731 0469.
  • Universal credit: contact Jobcentre Plus by signing in to your online account.

You’ll need your National Insurance number when you call, so make sure you have this to hand.

Source: MoneySavingExpert.com