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Millions of households to receive their first cost of living payment in July - here's how to check if you'll get it

Millions of the UK's poorest households will start to receive the first half of their £650 cost of living payment from 14 July. Here's all you need to know on whether you're eligible and when you'll get your payment.
If you're on low-income benefits, such as Universal Credit, you should get your first payment in July
-
Universal Credit - Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
If you started to make a claim by 25 April 2022 and the claim ends up being successful, you will be eligible for both parts of the payment.
The second payment of £324 will come later this year. We've asked the DWP when this will be and what the qualifying dates for the second payment will be. However you will be eligible if you're entitled to any of the applicable benefits now but weren't before 25 May, so make sure you claim ASAP to get at least £324.
Benefits charity Entitled To told us that due to a backlog in pension credit claims, the deadline for qualifying for the payment if you claim pension credit is 24 August. We're checking this with the DWP.
If you only claim tax credits, your payment will come later in the year
If you only claim child tax credit or working tax credit, you would have needed to have received a tax credit payment on any day between 26 April and 25 May 2022 to be eligible for the payment. If eligible, you'll also get a first payment of £326, although this come in the autumn, followed by a second payment in winter.
If you claim certain disability benefits, you may also be eligible for an extra £150
If you receive any of the following, then you could also be eligible for an extra £150 top-up:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
Again, if you started to make a claim by 25 May 2022 and the claim ends up being successful, you will be eligible for the £150 payment, which should begin to be sent out from September this year.
The money will be paid directly into your bank account
You won't need to apply. If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefits or tax credits. The payments will be made separately.
Benefits charity Entitled To said that some may fall through the cracks, for example, those who have changed bank accounts but that there hasn't been any specific guidance on this yet. We've asked the DWP for more on this and will update the story when we hear back.
However, if you think you're eligible but haven't received your first payment by the end of July, contact the relevant department for whichever benefit you're claiming to find out why.
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