Help with the Cost of Living
Michael Fabricant says: “As from today, (8th November) over 8 million households will start to receive £324 this month as part of the Cost of Living support. DWP claimants will receive their second Cost of Living payment by 23 November 2022, and eligible tax credit claimants, on no other means-tested benefits, will receive it between 23 and 30 November 2022.
“Payments will automatically be made to everyone eligible, with no need for anyone to apply. The payments, starting today from the Department for Work and Pensions, will be made automatically and directly into eligible recipients’ bank accounts. The payment reference on DWP recipients’ bank accounts will be their national insurance number, followed by “DWP COL”. For HMRC recipients the payment reference will be “HMRC COLS”.
“If by December, you have not received any payment and you think you are entitled to it, you should contact your local benefits office.”
Work and Pensions Secretary, Mel Stride said: “We do understand that people are struggling and that is why we’ve consistently acted to ensure millions of low-income families are supported. We will continue to act with compassion as we navigate challenging global economic circumstances.
“As part of a wider £37 billion package of support, this latest £324 payment will help the most vulnerable people in our society who are worrying about their finances through the winter months. The government’s £1,200 support package contains £400 for energy bills that is being paid in monthly instalments to all domestic energy customers between now and March 2023. It also includes a £150 Council Tax rebate for 85% of all UK households and the previous £326 Cost of Living Payment made by DWP in July and by HMRC in September.
“On top of this, nearly one in ten people received the £150 disability payment in September, and a £300 addition to Winter Fuel Payments will go to over eight million pensioner households over the winter.”
Michael adds: “Prices are rising across the world as we manage the aftershock of COVID-19 and Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. You only have to look at Europe and the United States. These hundreds of pounds of cash support for each vulnerable household will be of some help.”