Government announces cost of living payment dates for low-income families

2 mins read

Monday 17 April 2023

Tags: cost of living, energy, support payments, government support

The government has confirmed the dates when it will make cost-of-living support payments to low-income households throughout 2023/24.

They are as follows:

  • £301 paid between 25 April and 17 May 2023 (for most people on DWP benefits), or between 2 and 9 May 2023 (for most people on tax credits and no other low-income benefits).
  • £300 paid during autumn 2023 for most people.
  • £299 paid during spring 2024 for most people.

These payments, which are UK-wide, will be made separately from your benefit payments. They are not taxable and will not affect the benefits or tax credits you get.

There is no need to apply. Eligible households will be paid automatically in the same way they usually get their benefit or tax credits.

Who is eligible?

Families who claim the following means-tested benefits will receive £900 in three instalments across 2023/24:

(You will not get a payment if you get new-style ESA, contributory ESA or new-style JSA unless you also receive Universal Credit.)

Claimants will be eligible for the first instalment of £301 if they were entitled (or later found to be entitled) to a payment of one of the benefits listed above during the period between 26 January and 25 February 2023.

The qualifying date ranges for the second (£300) and third (£299) instalments have not yet been confirmed.

Disability support payments

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt first announced this year’s round of payments in his Autumn Statement in November 2022. The support package aims to help vulnerable households through a period of rising energy and food costs.

The government is also paying £150 to people who receive certain disability benefits. This includes people claiming Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment, as well as their Scottish equivalents Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment.

This will be made on an individual basis, meaning households with more than one eligible disabled occupant will receive multiple £150 payments.

Eligible claimants will receive the payment in summer 2023. The government has not yet published exact payment dates for this support package.

Find out more about the government’s support for cost of living.