8m households will receive govt cash payment to help with cost of living

EIGHT million low income households will receive new cost-of-living payments from the Spring, the government has announced.

The new £900 cash support will go directly into people’s bank accounts for means-tested claimants including those on Universal Credit, Pension Credit and tax credits.

Three separate payments of £300 will be made within the next few months before additional cash in the autumn before the final sum comes early next year.

There will be separate payments of £150 for six million people with disabilities and £300 for more than eight million pensioners on top of their Winter Fuel Payments.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: "We are sticking by our promise to protect the most vulnerable and these payments, worth hundreds of pounds, will provide vital support next year for those on the lowest incomes."

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt added: "I know these are tough times for families across the UK who are struggling to meet rising food and energy costs, driven by the aftershocks of Covid and Putin's war in Ukraine.

"That's why we're putting a further £900 into the pockets of over eight million low income households next year.

"These payments are on top of above-inflation increases to working-age benefits and the energy price guarantee, which is insulating millions from even higher global gas prices.”

Payments will be automatic so there is no need for claimants to apply.

Warnings have also been issued over scammers sending fake cost-of-living messages in a trick to send over personal information.