700,000 Scottish families benefit from Cost of Living Payment

OVER seven million payments of £324 have already been made to low-income families through the government’s cost of living support.

This means £2.3 billion has been paid out to over 99 per cent of those eligible via DWP across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland since the beginning of the rollout on Tuesday, November 8.

A further one million families eligible solely through tax credits will receive their payment between November 23-30.

Eligible claimants who have not yet received their payment should not be concerned, as the DWP expects some payments may take until November 23 to come through. After this date, a gov.uk page for reporting missing Cost of Living Payments will become available and the DWP will begin processing claims to ensure outstanding payments reach those eligible as quickly as possible.

There are also a small number of cases where an automated payment has not been possible, for example Universal Credit cases where benefit payments are split between a couple, or where the emergency payment system (EPS) cannot recognise their claim details. A dedicated team of agents are currently working through these cases to pay them manually.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: “This government promised to protect those on the lowest incomes, and it is great to be able to confirm...that we have delivered on this commitment with our latest Cost of Living Payment reaching over seven million households.

“This payment is just part of a wider support package the government has provided, with millions of families benefitting from a Council Tax rebate and pensioners across the country receiving winter fuel support as the weather gets colder and disabled people getting help with additional costs they face. We will continue to support the most vulnerable as we deal with the impact of Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine and the aftermath of the pandemic.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt commented: “We know families are struggling with the rising prices caused by Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

"That is why we’ve delivered over seven million cash payments directly into the bank accounts of the most vulnerable households in just one week and will make over a million more to those on tax credits later this month.

“This is part of the £1200 cash support we’re giving to the poorest members of society during this difficult period.”

Minister for Scotland John Lamont added: “I’m pleased to be able to confirm that almost 700,000 families in Scotland have now benefited from the latest Cost of Living Payment.

"This reflects the UK Government’s continued commitment to support the lowest-income households in Scotland and throughout the UK through the current challenging period and beyond.”

To be eligible for the £324 Cost of Living Payment, claimants must have been entitled to one of the qualifying benefits between August 26 and September 25, with the exception of pensioner households, who may be able to have a new Pension Credit claim backdated.

Pensioners have until December 18 to submit a valid claim for Pension Credit, which could entitle them to the £324 Cost of Living Payment. Anyone can check their eligibility for Pension Credit using the online calculator or by calling the freephone claim line (0800 99 1234).

Even if you are not on a qualifying DWP benefit you may still be eligible for the £324 payment, as HMRC is also making payments to over one million families who only receive Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit. These will be automatically paid into bank accounts between November 23-30.

Those eligible do not need to contact the government or apply for the payment at any stage. Payments will appear on bank statements with a reference including the recipients National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP COL’ for those on DWP means-tested benefits or ‘HMRC COLS’ for those on tax credits only.