Cost of living payments to be paid from 14 July

Photo: Linda Bestwick - stock.adobe.com

38,800 families across the Rochdale borough are eligible for the means-tested payment, and 25,100 individuals eligible for the disability payment

Initial cost-of-living payments will begin from 14 July, the Department for Work and Pensions has now revealed, whilst the disability top-up will land in bank accounts in September.

Nearly one in four families will receive the means-tested benefit cost of living payment, whilst nearly one in ten of the population will get the £150 disability top-up.

Locally, 38,800 families across the Rochdale borough are eligible for the means-tested payment, and 25,100 individuals eligible for the disability payment, according to DWP figures.

The first cost of living instalment will see millions of low-income households across the UK receive £326 as the government provides support to groups who are most vulnerable to rising costs.

In total, millions of households will receive at least £1,200 from the government this year to help cover rising costs.

The second instalment of £324 will be sent to qualifying low income households from the autumn. The payments are designed to be deliberately slightly unequal to minimise fraud risks from those who may seek to exploit this system.

Cost-of-living support includes the direct cost-of-living payment of up to £650 for over 8 million households on eligible means-tested benefits, a separate £300 payment for pensioners, and a £150 payment for eligible disabled people, which can be paid on top of the £650 payment.

This is on top of £400 for all households to help with energy bills, and an extra £150 for properties in Council Tax bands A-D, meaning millions of the lowest-income households will receive at least £1,200 in support this year.

Work and Pensions Secretary, Thérèse Coffey said: “With millions of the lowest-income households soon seeing the first of two cash instalments land into their bank accounts, we are taking action to directly help families with the cost of living.

“This one-off payment totalling £650 is part of our £37 billion cost of living support package that will put an extra £1,200 into the pockets of those most in need.”

The eligibility date for the second instalment will be announced soon. If customers are eligible through receiving tax credits only, HMRC will contact them and issue payments automatically, with the first instalment being made from autumn.

DWP will administer payments for customers on all other eligible means-tested benefits, and customers do not need to contact them or apply for the payment.