First cost of living payments of 2023 will start to arrive from today

The UK government has begun distributing the first of three new cost-of-living payments to aid households on low incomes during the ongoing inflationary crisis.

Over eight million households will receive a £301 lump sum from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) starting today.

Around 18,000 households in Flintshire are eligible for the means-tested payment.

Those recipients can expect to receive their first instalment between today and 17th May.

The other two

The payments aim to alleviate financial pressure on vulnerable families as the cost of living continues to rise across the UK.

These payments target the most vulnerable families, aiming to provide financial relief as the cost of living continues to rise.

DWP will automatically transfer payments to recipients’ bank accounts, with a reference of their National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP COL’.

This is the first of up to three payments for those eligible on means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and tax credits, totalling £900 through 2023/24.

These will be accompanied by a £150 payment for people on eligible disability benefits this summer, and a £300 payment on top of Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners at the end of 2023.

Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said:

“This latest additional payment will be welcomed by millions of families – as will further payments due over the next year.”

“We have continually supported those most vulnerable to rising costs, including through record benefits and national living wage increases as well as these exceptional Cost of Living Payments responding to the global pressures we are facing.”

“We will also continue to deliver on our five priorities, including halving inflation, as this will ease pressure on households currently struggling with household bills and rising prices.”

People will be eligible for the Cost of Living Payment if they have been entitled to a payment for one of seven benefits between 26 January and 25 February 2023. The eligible benefits are:

• Universal Credit;
• Pension Credit;
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance;
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance;
• Income Support;
• Working Tax Credit;
• Child Tax Credit.

Once the majority of those who are entitled to a payment by DWP have been paid, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will make payments of £301 between Tuesday 2 and Tuesday 9 May to one million eligible families receiving tax credits only, with the banking reference ‘HMRC COLS’.

The latest payment follows on from the £650 Cost of Living Payment delivered by the Government in 2022, along with another £150 disability payment and a £300 pensioner payment.

While payments are made automatically, people must be receiving one of the eligible qualifying benefits during the specified period to qualify. Those who wish to check their entitlement to benefits should use a benefits calculator on Gov.uk to get a better idea of what they could receive.

Low-income pensioners particularly should check their eligibility for Pension Credit, as they may still be able to receive the £301 Cost of Living Payment, and subsequent payments, if they make a successful backdated application by 19 May 2023.