Three reasons why over one million households could see £650 cost of living payment delayed

OVER one million households are set to get the first chunk of their £650 cost of living payment this week – but some will see it delayed.

Around 1.1million people who get tax credits will see the £326 payment land in their accounts from Friday, September 2.

The government is paying tax credit claimants later than those getting other means-tested benefits like Universal Credit to avoid paying anyone twice.

You must have been entitled, or later found to be entitled to tax credit payments of annual awards between April 26 and May 25 to get the cash.

The Department for Work and Pensions expects all payments to be made by September 7.

But a small number of people could see their £650 cost of living payment delayed – we explain why.

You should wait until September 16 at the earliest to contact the DWP if your payment hasn’t come through.

It won’t be able to provide any details about where your payment is before this point.

You’ve changed bank accounts

If you have recently closed the bank account your benefits are usually paid into, your £650 cost of living payment may be delayed.

The DWP is using the bank account details it holds in its systems to pay out the help.

If you haven’t let the DWP know your bank account has changed, it will pay the money into your old one.

That means the payment will be rejected and the DWP will follow up with you – which could cause delays.

You should let the DWP about any change to your personal circumstances or details.

If you don’t, your benefit payments could be affected or delayed.

Your application hasn’t been approved

You must have been entitled, or later found to be entitled to tax credit payments between April 26 and May 25 to get the cash.

If you made a claim in time for the qualifying date but it hasn’t yet been approved by the DWP, you might find your payment is delayed.

You’ll want to sign into your account and keep an eye on the progress of your benefit claim.

Once it has been approved, it is worth checking in with the DWP on when you can expect to receive the help.

“Complex” claims

The DWP has previously said those with “complex” claims might see a slight delay to their first cost of living instalment.

This will only affect a “small number of unique cases”, the DWP said.

We’ve asked the DWP how a “complex” circumstance is defined and we will update this story when we know more.

You might want to check in with the DWP about whether or not your claim falls under the “complex circumstances” category.

It could mean that your payment is delayed – contact the DWP if the cash isn’t in your account by September 16.

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