£326 – the first of two cost of living payments – will automatically hit seven million bank accounts between today and 31 July 2022 as part of the government’s £37 billion support package.
A second instalment of £324 will follow from the autumn, with separate payments for pensioners and disabled people also coming later this year.
Most people entitled to the first instalment of the Cost of Living payment will receive it between now and 31 July 2022. Households who are eligible because they receive tax credits and no other eligible benefits will receive their first instalment from HMRC in the autumn, and the second instalment in the winter. DWP will administer payments for customers on all other eligible means-tested benefits, and customers do not need to contact the government or apply for the payment at any stage.
In addition to the £650 Cost of Living Payment, all domestic energy customers in the UK will receive a £400 grant to help with energy bills, and those in Council Tax bands A-D in England will get an extra £150, which has already been sent to many households.
Alongside this, nearly one in ten people will get the £150 disability payment this Autumn, and over 8 million pensioner households could get an extra £300 from Winter Fuel Payments in November and December.
In the Mid Sussex constituency it is estimated that 7,300 families are eligible for the means tested cost of living payment and 6,700 individuals are eligible for the disabilty payment.
You can find out what support you are eligible for here: Cost of Living Support – Get government support to help with the cost of living