Not Everyone Will Get The Payment At The Same Time
Households on means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits, will receive the 2nd £326 cost of living help payment from the 8th of November, but you might not get it straight away.
The first payment of £326 was made in July, and DWP will make the second payment of £324 to eligible customers between the 8th and 23rd of November and by HMRC between the 23rd and 30th of November (to customers receiving tax credits only and no other eligible DWP benefits).
This is in addition to the £400 discount on energy bills.
Be aware that not everyone will receive the payment on the 8th of November, payments will be staggered, and you may not receive your payment until as late as the 23rd of November. This is due to some 8 Million households being eligible to receive the extra financial help, and it takes time to process all the payments.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually get your benefit or tax credits. This includes if you’re found to be eligible for a Cost of Living Payment or a Disability Cost of Living Payment at a later date.
Those eligible are low-income households who receive the following benefits:
Universal Credit
income-based Jobseekers Allowance
income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income Support
working tax credit
child tax credit
pension credit
This payment is on top of the cost of living help already rolled out or in the process of being rolled out to UK households, including:
Around 80% of households should have received a £150 energy rebate, often through their council tax bill.
Energy suppliers are receiving £67 a month from the government, to be credited to a user's energy account to help to soften the blow from the rise in energy costs. Most households will have just received, or are about to receive the 2nd £67 instalment and will continue to receive this until March 2023.
What if you are still unable to afford your energy costs?
Contact your supplier as soon as you can if you are worried about paying your energy bills or are in debt to your supplier.
Suppliers must work with you to agree on a payment plan you can afford under Ofgem rules. This includes reviewing a plan you have agreed on before.
You can ask for the following:
a review of your payments and debt repayments
payment breaks or reductions
more time to pay
access to hardship funds
advice on how to use less energy
Priority Service registration – a free support service if you are in a vulnerable situation. Use the Simple Energy Advice calculator to see how you can improve your energy efficiency. You can also learn about schemes run by your local council. Energy efficiency improvements cover home heating, free boiler replacement and roof insulation.
Energy Saving Trust, Citizens Advice and National Energy Action also have helpful advice for saving energy, reducing consumption and lowering your energy bills available on their websites.
You can also call Simple Energy Advice if you’re in England or Wales or Home Energy Scotland if you’re in Scotland.
Simple Energy Advice: 0800 444 202
Home Energy Scotland: 0808 808 2282
You might also qualify for the following:
Winter Fuel Payment – for people born on or before 25 September 1956.
Cold Weather Payment – a £25 payment for every 7 days of very cold weather (below freezing) between November and March.
Warm Home Discount – a £150 discount for some people getting Pension Credit or some people in low-income households.
If you live in Scotland or Wales;
Child Winter Heating Assistance - A £214.10 annual payment per disabled child and young person under 19 living in Scotland.
Winter fuel support scheme - A £200 annual payment for Welsh households in receipt of certain benefits.
The government’s Fuel Direct Scheme can also help you repay a debt from benefit payments. Contact Jobcentre Plus (or your pension centre if you’re on Pension Credit) to apply.
From charities Charis has information on grants some charities offer and how to apply. Turn2us has a benefits calculator and grants search tool to help you find out what support you can get alongside adviser locator tools. They also have information on benefits and information on help with paying energy and water bills.
Get debt advice
You can find advice on managing debt problems and budgeting through the following:
Money Advice Service
National Debtline
StepChange Debt Charity
Start by working out which debts you need to deal with first.
Priority debts can cause serious problems if you can’t do anything about them. They include things like your energy bills, rent or mortgage and council tax. You can learn more about working out priority and other debts on the Citizens Advice website. Their budgeting tool can also help you manage your finances.