Is there a cost of living payment in September?
MILLIONS of households are eagerly awaiting the next £300 cost of living payment - and it'll land in accounts before Christmas.
The Government is dishing out £900 to millions on certain benefits including Universal Credit in 2023 and 2024.
But instead of the payment being made in one lump sum, it has been split into three instalments worth £301, £300 and £299.
The first was paid in April and May this year while the other two are set to be issued in autumn this year and spring 2024 respectively.
But when is the next instalment of £300 being made? Here's everything you need to know.
Is there a cost of living payment in September?
The Government has said it is issuing the £300 cost of living payment in autumn, but it will not go out in September.
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Instead, the cash will be paid to households on benefits including Universal Credit between October 31 and November 19.
Meanwhile, people on tax credits only will receive their payment from HMRC between November 10 and November 19.
Money-saving expert Martin Lewis had previously predicted it to land in October or November.
The Government typically confirms the payment date for the instalments a month beforehand.
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Over eight million people on benefits qualify for the £300 cost of living payment.
The full list of benefits that make you eligible is:
- 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
You were eligible for the first £301 instalment if you received one of the above benefits between January 26 and February 25.
You'll get the second one too if you were eligible between August 18 and September 17.
If you are later found to be entitled to any of the above benefits between these qualifying dates, you'll get the payment too.
The payments won't affect the benefit amount you usually get or contribute to the benefit cap.
What other help is coming?
It's not just the £900 cost of living payment that's being issued to help households in need.
Anyone eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment this year will receive a top-up worth between £150-£300 from November.
You qualify for this year's Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before September 25, 1957.
In some cases, you will qualify for both the £900 cost of living payment and the Winter Fuel Payment top-up, say for example if you receive Pension Credit.
On top of the cost of living payments, you might be eligible for help via the Household Support Fund (HSF).
It was launched in October 2021 and has been extended multiple times.
The latest tranche of funding is worth £842million and has been distributed among councils in England.
They then decide how to allocate their own unique share, which means it can be a bit of a postcode lottery to what you get.
In most cases though, help is offered to those on benefits or a low income.
It's worth contacting your local council to see what help is available. You can find your local council by using the Government's locator tool.
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You might also be able to get help paying for your energy bills if you're struggling to pay up.
British Gas, EDF and E.ON all have schemes open where customers can get free grants to cover costs.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
You can also join our new Sun Money to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.