It's the last of three payments worth a total of £900, which are part of a package of support being rolled out this financial year. Means-tested benefits claimants began receiving the latest instalment from 31 October and it follows an initial £301 sent between April and May.
A separate £300 was paid to pensioners from 1 November as part of the boosted Winter Fuel Payment, while people with disabilities received a £150 payment in the summer.
Here, Which? explains what the payments are, who they're for and what to do if you think you're eligible but haven't received the payments.
What support is the government offering?
In his 2022 Autumn Statement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a new package of financial support to ease the squeeze during the ongoing cost of living crisis. The money, however, will only be available for the most vulnerable households. Find out if you're eligible, below.
Cost of living payments
The last of three cost of living payments, worth a total of £900, will be sent by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to people claiming means-tested benefits between 6 and 22 February.
Eligible households should have already received the first two instalments of £300 and £301 in the spring and autumn.
To be eligible for the money, you must already be receiving one or more of the following:
You don't need to apply or contact anyone – if you're eligible, the payment will be transferred automatically into your bank account, separate from your benefits or tax credits.
Boost to Winter Fuel Payment
An extra £300 was paid to eight million pensioners as an increase to the Winter Fuel Payment for 2023 to 2024. This was sent automatically by the DWP from 1 November.
The Winter Fuel Payment is usually between £100 and £300, meaning some eligible pensioners this year could have received a total of £400 to £600 in government support.
Find out more:Disability cost of living payment
A one-off £150 payment was made between 20 June and 4 July to more than six million people with disabilities.
Anyone in receipt of certain disability benefits on 1 April 2023 was entitled and should have already received the payment.
What if I don't receive the payment?
If you met all the eligibility criteria but haven't received your cost of living support after the payment period has passed, there's a chance something might have gone wrong.
Before you contact the DWP to make a claim, double-check your bank statement for a payment with the reference 'DWP COL' or 'HMRC COLSD' along with your National Insurance number.
Watch out for scam messages
Scammers were quick to target people with fake messages and calls following the government's first round of cost of living support last year. Anyone eligible for these new payments should once again be on high alert for fraudsters.
Scams last year included a text message asking you to claim or apply for the payment, as well as emails asking you to call a fake number to make a claim for the payment.
In January, the DWP issued a warning on social media: 'You do not need to apply for the payment. You do not need to call us. Payment to you is automatic. We will never ask for personal details by SMS or email.'
Find out more: .Get further help with the cost of living
This story was first published in May 2023 and has been updated. The last update was to reveal the dates of the final cost of living payment.
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/cost-of-living-payments-2023-what-you-need-to-know-agnHS9Q9bP42