Millions of vulnerable households are set to receive the first instalment of the 2023/24 Cost of Living support package in April, with the following instalments expected later this year. The payments are designed to offer additional support to 8 million of the most vulnerable households on means-tested benefits.
In this article, we share when the first Cost of Living instalment will be paid, who is eligible and how much those eligible can expect to receive.
When is the first Cost of Living Payment being paid?
The first instalment of the Cost of Living support package will be received by those eligible between 25th April and 17th May 2023. The remaining instalments can be expected later in the year, however, the exact dates of these instalments have not yet been announced. The instalments will be paid automatically meaning those that are eligible do not need to apply. However, if you believe that you should have received a Cost of Living Payment, but have not done so, you can report a missing Cost of Living Payment here.
Cost of Living Payment dates
| Cost of Living Support Payment | Cost of Living instalment amount | Expected payment date |
| First Cost of Living Payment | £301 | 25/04/23 - 17/05/23 |
| Second Cost of Living Payment | £300 | Autumn 2023 |
| Third Cost of Living Payment | £299 | Spring 2024 |
How much are the Cost of Living Payments?
Benefit claimants eligible to receive the Cost of Living support payment can expect to receive an initial instalment of £301 in April. This will be followed by subsequent instalments of £300 in Autumn 2023 and a final instalment of £299 in Spring 2024.
Some households may also be eligible for a Disability Payment of £150 in the summer and a £300 Pensioner Payment in the Winter. Additional information on the support available and when it will be paid can be found in our Cost of Living guide.
Who is eligible for the Cost of Living Payments?
If you have received, or are later found to have been entitled to receive, one of the following listed benefits between 26th January 2023 and 25th February 2023 you are eligible to receive the first Cost of Living Payment in April:
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
If your benefit has been reduced to £0 within the qualifying period of 26/01/23 - 25/02/23 you will not be eligible to receive the Cost of Living Payment.
What to do if you're struggling with the cost of living
If you are feeling overwhelmed with the cost of living there are a number of charities and organisations available to help you and if you are struggling to afford any bill payments, contacting the provider as soon as possible is a good idea as they are likely to have a specialised team available to offer help and support.
We have a number of additional articles and resources on the MTTM website which offer additional cost of living support:
- A complete guide to Cost of Living Payments, eligibility & money saving tips
- How to save money on your household bills
- Free budgeting spreadsheet
- 50 ways to make extra money
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