Increase for Expenses in 2022
The majority of people should have received their 2022 Cost of Living Allowance by now.
If you are eligible, you will be paid automatically in the same manner as you normally receive your benefits or tax credits. This includes if you are later determined to be eligible for a Cost of Living Payment or a Disability Cost of Living Payment.
If you received a message requesting that you apply or contact someone regarding the payment, this could be a scam.
Depending on your circumstances on a particular date or during a particular period, you could receive up to three different types of payment:
- If you were receiving a qualifying low-income benefit or tax credits, you would receive a Cost of Living Payment.
- If you were receiving a qualifying disability benefit, you would receive a Disability Cost of Living Payment.
- If you are eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment for the winter of 2022–2023, you will receive a Pensioner Cost of Living Payment.
These payments are not taxable and will have no effect on your benefits or tax credits.
If you were receiving any of the following payments, you could receive a £650 payment in two lump sums of £326 and £324:
- The Universal Credit system
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) based on income
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) based on income
- Income Assistance
- Pension Benefit
- Tax Break for Children
- Working Tax Credit
The payment will be made in addition to your benefit.
If you filed a joint claim with a partner, you will receive one payment of £326 and another payment of £324 if you are eligible.
You were eligible for the first Cost of Living Payment of £326 if you were entitled to (or later found to be entitled to) Universal Credit for an assessment period that ended between April 26 and May 25, 2022.
If you were entitled to (or later found to be entitled to) Universal Credit for an assessment period that ended between August 26 and September 25, 2022, you were eligible for the second Cost of Living Payment of £324.
The payment will be made in addition to your benefit.
If your Universal Credit is reduced to zero during the qualifying assessment period, you will not be eligible for the Cost of Living Payment. This is sometimes referred to as a 'nil award.' Your Universal Credit may be reduced to £0 for an assessment period if you receive more than one payment of earnings, your or your partner's earnings increase, your or your partner's savings increase, or you begin receiving another benefit.
If money has been deducted for other reasons (for example, rent to your landlord or money owed), you may still be eligible.
If you were entitled to (or later found to be entitled to) income-based JSA or income-related ESA, you were eligible for the first Cost of Living Payment of £326. Income Support or Pension Credit for any day between April 26th and May 25th, 2022
You were eligible for the second Cost of Living Payment of £324 if you were receiving (or were later discovered to be receiving) income-based JSA or income-related ESA. Income Support or Pension Credit for any day between August 26 and September 25, 2022
The payment will be made in addition to your benefit.
You were eligible for the first Cost of Living Payment of £326 if you received, or later received, any of the following on any day between April 26 and May 25, 2022:
- a tax credit payment for the fiscal years 2022-2023
- a tax credit award of at least £26 per year from 2022 to 2023
You were eligible for the second Cost of Living Payment of £324 if you received, or later received, any of the following on any day between August 26 and September 25, 2022:
- a tax credit payment for the fiscal years 2022-2023
- a tax credit award of at least £26 per year from 2022 to 2023
If you were receiving both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, HMRC will pay you a Cost of Living Payment for Child Tax Credit only.
If you previously received HMRC tax credits and a DWP low income benefit, you will now only receive a DWP Cost of Living Payment.
If you made a joint claim between April 26 and May 25, 2022, a single payment of £326 will be sent to you using the same payment method as before, if you are eligible.
If you made a joint claim between August 26 and September 25, 2022, a single payment of £324 will be sent to you using the same payment method as before, if you are eligible.
Your payment may arrive later if you are awarded a qualifying benefit at a later date or if you change the account into which your benefit or tax credits are paid. You will continue to receive the CLP automatically and will not need to contact DWP or HMRC.
If you received a Cost of Living Payment but later discovered that you were not eligible for it, you may be required to repay it.
The DWP and HMRC are using a computer program to determine who is eligible for a Cost of Living Payment. If you are dissatisfied with this, you can contact the office that pays your benefit or tax credits to discuss it.
Disability Living Allowance
If you received any of the following benefits, you could receive a £150 lump sum payment:
- Allowance for Attendance
- Allowance for Constant Attendance
- Adult Disability Living Allowance
- Children's Disability Living Allowance
- Payment for Individual Independence
- Adult Disability Allowance (Scotland)
- Child Disability Allowance (Scotland)
- Payment for Armed Forces Independence
- Mobility Supplement for War Pensioners
Eligibility
To be eligible for the payment, you must have received (or will receive) one of these qualifying benefits on or before May 25, 2022.
If you receive a qualifying disability benefit from the MOD and a qualifying disability benefit from DWP, you will only receive a Disability Cost of Living Payment from DWP.
If you receive a Disability Cost of Living Payment but later discover that you were not eligible for it, you may be required to repay it.
The majority of people received the £150 Disability Cost of Living Allowance between September 2022 and the beginning of October 2022.
Payments to people receiving a qualifying disability from the DWP will be made before payments to people receiving a qualifying benefit from the Ministry of Defence.
Learn how to report a missing Cost of Living Allowance.
Most people should have received their 2022 Cost of Living Allowance by now.
If you believe you should have received one of the following payments but do not see it in your bank, building society, or credit union account, learn how to report a missing Cost of Living Payment:
- Cost of Living Payment for a low-income benefit of £326 or £324
- Disability Living Allowance of £150
Pensioner Cost of Living Allowance
If you are eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment for the winter of 2022 to 2023, you will receive an additional £150 or £300 with your regular payment beginning in November 2022. This is in addition to any Cost of Living Allowance provided by your benefit or tax credits.
The total amount of Winter Fuel Payment you will receive for the winter of 2022-2023 is determined by your circumstances.
Other help
Find out what other benefits and financial assistance you may be eligible for to help with your living expenses.
Use an independent benefits calculator to determine what benefits you may be eligible for.
Other types of assistance, such as:
Support for Coping with the Passing of Your Feline CompanionLosing a beloved pet can bring about immense emotions of grief and uncertainty. When dealing with the passing of your feline friend, you may be unsure of what steps to take next. To assist you during this challenging time, we provide advice and
Opt for a Scientifically-Proven Learning MethodSome subjects can be mastered independently to attain an A or A* grade. Fortunately, Biology is one of them! There is a straightforward learning technique that can help you achieve this. We refer to it as the scribble technique, highlighted by an Amazon
Do you use your mobile phone to stay in touch with your loved ones, save cherished moments, and work from any location? Do you carry it around with you everywhere you go? Losing your phone or tablet can be a major setback for your personal and professional life. Fortunately, Samsung's range of
If you are concerned about cleaning and sanitizing your dog's wounds, Hibiscrub is a reliable disinfectant that can combat bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Although it is commonly used in medical facilities, you can also use it at home.In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits, side effects, and safe