Millions to get £324 cost of living payment from today - all you need to know

Millions of struggling households will receive a second cost of living payment worth £324 from today.

It makes up the second instalment of the £650 being given to households who claim certain benefits.

A first instalment worth £326, was paid back in July for most households, with those on tax credits paid in September.

Brits will receive their second instalment of £324 between November 8 and 23.

The tax-free sum will be automatically sent to those who qualify.

The payment was introduced to give extra support to households who claim means-tested benefits (Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)

The second half of the £650 cost of living payment will go to those receiving the following benefits:

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit

In order to qualify for the £324, you must have been entitled, or later found to be entitled to, any of the listed benefits between August 26 and September 25 this year.

Those on Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit won’t receive their payment until after November 23.

This is to avoid duplicate payments as some people claim both tax credits and another of the qualifying benefits.

Those on tax credits won’t receive their payment until slightly later (Getty Images/Vetta)

There are around one million households that claim Tax Credits in the UK.

This group will get their second instalment paid anywhere from Wednesday, November 23 to November 30.

Qualifying Brits won't need to submit a claim or take any further steps as the payment will come straight from HMRC and hit bank accounts automatically.

For those on Tax Credits, whether that's Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit, will see the payment will go to the bank account where Child Tax Credit are paid.

Cost of living payments don't count towards the benefit cap so they won't affect the amount of benefits you're entitled to.

Millions of pensioners will soon start to receive their Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £600.

The cash is being sent out in November and December for most people but you should be paid by January 13, 2023 at the latest.

Winter Fuel Payments are normally worth between £100 and £300, with the amount depending on your age, living arrangements and if you claim benefits.

But this winter, the Government is also giving eligible households an extra £300 on top because of the cost of living crisis.

This means some families could potentially get up to £600.