Many people are still struggling financially as the cost-of-living crisis continues - including those receiving DWP benefits. But some claimants are eligible for a cash sum of £900 this year split into three payments to help cope with the still increasing bills and prices, and other additional payments for pensioners are planned.
Eight million eligible claimants, including those on Universal Credit, pension credit and tax credits, will benefit from the payments this year and in 2024. A separate £150 payment is planned for people with disabilities and pensioners should receive an extra £300. Below are the general times of the year when payments will be made, which will be specified in more detail by the DWP closer to the date.
- £301 – First cost of living payment – already issued between 25 April and 17 May (or 2 to 9 May for people on tax credits but no other low-income benefits)
- £150 – Disability payment – during summer 2023
- £300 – Second cost of living payment – during autumn 2023
- £300 – Pensioner payment – during winter 2023/4
- £299 – Third cost of living payment – during spring 2024
It's expected that the DWP will announce the next payment dates around a month before they take place, as was the case last year. The department confirmed the payment date for the first instalment on June 15, which was four weeks before it was paid out.
Then, for the second payment which began in mid-November, the DWP announced the dates five weeks before on October 3. The pattern seems to have continued this year with the payment date for the first instalment of the £900 payment announced four weeks before the payment window started.
Bank holiday brings payment schedule change
Benefit and pensions payments will also be going out in August, although they will be impacted by the bank holiday as usual. The arrival of the Summer bank holiday on Monday, August 28 means claimants can likely expect payments into their bank accounts one working day before the holiday.
That applies to anyone expecting to receive any of the following from the DWP in August:
- Universal credit
- State pension
- Pension credit
- Disability living allowance
- Personal independence payment
- Attendance allowance
- Carer’s allowance
- Employment support allowance
- Income support
- Jobseeker’s allowance
