What other help is coming?
If you don’t qualify for the £299 cost of living payment, or even if you do and still need help, there is still other support on offer.
The Household Support Fund is worth £842million and has been shared between councils in England.
They then decide how to distribute their portion.
But what you are entitled to varies on where you live as each local authority sets its own eligibility criteria.
Insulate your home to save cash
While insulating your home isn’t cheap, it will almost certainly save you money in the long run.
Energy Saving Trust has said, “Insulating cavity walls and your loft will cost a typical three-bed semi-detached home around £2,700, with an expected annual saving on energy bills of around £280.”
You can pick up insulation at stores such as B&Q and Wickes.
How do you log in to Universal Credit?
Universal Credit claimants can see their online account by logging in via the gov.uk website.
You’ll need your username and password – which are the same ones you had to set up when you first applied for benefits.
If you have forgotten your login details, you can put in a request to reset your username or password by entering your email address.
If you have an online Universal Credit account, you can also sign in via gov.uk verify.
In a worse case scenario, you can always try calling the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 (Textphone: 0800 328 1344).
You can also get in contact via NGT text relay on 18001 then 0800 328 5644.
There’s a Welsh language helpline available on 0800 328 1744 too.
How can you spot the payment?
The payment reference will be the recipient’s National Insurance number followed by DWP COL or HMRC COLS.
For example, if your NI number is JT 83 42 97B, your payment will show up as “JT 83 42 97B DWP COLP” or “JT 83 42 97B HMRC COLP” on your bank statement.
How long could you wait until receiving the cash?
Some households could have to wait for weeks until the cost of living payment is paid.
Payments are starting to be made today but they will continue to be issued until February 22.
Depending on your individual circumstances, some will be paid by HMRC slightly later while others will be paid by the DWP.
For example, those on tax credits only and no other benefits will be paid between February 16 and 22.
What benefits make you eligible?
To get the final cost of living payment, you will need to have received at least one of seven benefits, including pension credit, between November 13 and December 12.
The full list of benefits that means people qualify for the payment is:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based jobseekers allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Income support
- Working tax credit
- Child tax credit
- Pension credit
