You may be able to get up to 5 payments to help with the cost of living if you’re getting certain benefits or tax credits. You do not need to apply.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits. This includes if you’re found to be eligible at a later date. These payments are not taxable and will not affect the benefits or tax credits you get.

 

Low income benefits and tax credits Cost of Living Payment eligibility

You may be entitled to up to 3 Cost of Living Payments of £301, £300 and £299 if you get any of the following benefits or tax credits on certain dates:

·        income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

·        income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

·        Income Support

·        Pension Credit

·        Universal Credit

·        Child Tax Credit

·        Working Tax Credit

The payment will be made separately from your benefit payments.

You will not get a payment if you are only getting New Style ESA, contributory ESA, or New Style JSA.

If you have a joint claim on the qualifying dates, a single payment of £301, £300 and £299 will be sent using the same payment method used between these dates, if you’re eligible.

 

£300 Cost of Living Payment eligibility

• Universal Credit

You are eligible for the Cost of Living Payment of £300 if you were entitled to a payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) of Universal Credit for an assessment period that ended in the period 18 August 2023 to 17 September 2023.

 

• Income-based JSA, income-based ESA, Income Support and Pension Credit

You are eligible for the Cost of Living Payment of £300 if you were entitled to a payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) of income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Income Support or Pension Credit for any day in the period 18 August 2023 to 17 September 2023.

You are also eligible if you are entitled to one of these benefits for any day during this period but you do not receive a benefit payment because your entitlement is between 1 penny and 9 pence.

 

• Tax credits

You are eligible for the Cost of Living Payment of £300 if you received a payment of tax credits for any day in the period 18 August 2023 to 17 September 2023, or if you later receive a payment for any day in that period.