An update on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) £900 of cost of living payments has been issued.

More than eight million people will qualify for a new £900 cash boost, available to people in receipt of means-tested benefits including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and tax credits.

Those £900 payments will begin in Spring and will be paid in three instalments directly into claimants’ bank accounts through the year.

There will also be a separate £150 payment for more than six million disabled people, and an extra £300 for eight million pensioners on top of their Winter Fuel payments.

 

The Social Security (Additional Payments) (No.2) Bill was approved by MPs last week and confirms that the support will have the “same set of qualifying benefits as previously”.

The bill will now undergo further scrutiny in Parliament.

Qualifying dates for the support will only be revealed after they have happened, in an attempt to stop criminals duping the system and taking advantage of the support.

The Government said the approach would “limit the possibility of fraud”, while Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride added: “We still recognise that despite the relief that (reducing inflation) will provide to millions up and down the country, we still need to provide further support payments.”

Date for DWP £900 cost of living payments

The exact payment dates are yet to be announced by the DWP, but this is when to expect each individual payment over the next year:

  • First cost of living payment - £300 – Spring 2023
  • Disability payment - £150 – Summer 2023
  • Second cost of living payment - £300 – Autumn 2023
  • Pensioner payment - £300 – Winter 2023
  • Third cost of living payment - £299 – Spring 2024

The DWP have also issued a warning to anyone expecting a payment this year.

In a post shared across their social media platforms, the DWP warned people to look out for scammers hoping to capitalise on people confused about the payments.

The post said: “Watch out for scammers targeting people about cost of living payments.”

They reminded eligible claimants that they did not need to apply for the payment or call the DWP, the payments would be automatically sent to them, and they would never ask for personal details via text or email.

Who can claim DWP £900 cost of living payments

There are several benefits that could make claimants eligible for the £301 Cost of Living Payment, including Universal Credit and tax credits – through which 5.4 million households across the UK are expected to qualify, and Pension Credit, through which 1.4 million pensioner households are expected to be paid. 1.3 million will be eligible through legacy DWP benefits such as Jobseekers Allowance and Income Support, reaching a total of 8.1 million households.

Eligible individuals do not need to apply for payments, as they are made automatically. Those eligible for cost of living payments through tax credits, and no other means-tested benefits, will be paid by HMRC shortly after DWP payments are made.