Cost of living payments will start to issue in July

Last month, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a new package of UK-wide financial support measures to help families struggling because of the cost of living crisis. The package includes a universal payment for all households, to offset increasing energy bills, along with more targeted measures for those families who need it most.

You can find out more about the financial support measures that were announced in our article here.

Further information on the cost of living support package has been published for households in Northern Ireland, and is available on the NI Direct Website.

The Government has now confirmed that the first instalment of the one-off cost of living payment of £650 for eligible households on means tested benefits will start to be issued from 14 July to those in receipt of:

  • Universal Credit
  • Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Pension Credit.

The first instalment will be £326, followed by a second payment of £324 in the Autumn.

It is important to note that, if you are in receipt of Tax Credits, you may still be eligible for the payment, but your payments will follow shortly after. It is anticipated that the first payment to those in receipt of Tax Credits will be made from Autumn 2022.

To be eligible for the first instalment, claimants will need to be in receipt of one of the qualifying means tested benefits, or have begun a claim which is later successful, as of 25 May 2022. The qualifying date to be in receipt of relevant benefits in order to be eligible for the second instalment will be published by the Government in due course.

Further information

For more information on the cost of living support measures announced by the Chancellor, there is a factsheet produced by the Government, and information available on the NI Direct website.

To make sure your family is claiming all the financial support you are entitled to, contact the Family Benefits Advice Service for a free, personalised ‘better off’ calculation. Freephone 0800 028 3008 or email hello@employersforchildcare.org. 

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