DWP Cost of Living payments to help low-income households this September

Here's what you'll get, and when you can expect to see it in your bank account

With the cost of living crisis showing no signs of easing, and with many of us tightening our belts after a summer of increased spending with the kids being off school, it's good to know what benefits and allowances might be coming our way in September.

This is particularly important if you're 1 of the thousands of parents who will be seeing their Child Benefit and Tax credits stopped at the end of this month.

And despite the fact that the Office for National Statistics (ONS) announced recently that wages have increased at a record rate, and food prices have started to fall, interest rates have risen this month.

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So any help that could be coming our way as we move into September and the autumn will be more than welcome.

DWP help through the autumn and winter

Although the Energy Bill Support Scheme ended in March, knocking on the head the £400 payment that helped so many of us through the winter, there are still other cost of living payments available, with millions of households on low incomes set to get support worth up to £1,350.

The next £300 Cost of Living payment

Some 8 million low-income households on benefits (including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits) will be entitled to the DWP's 2nd Cost of Living payment this autumn, part of a package of financial help worth £900.

The money is being paid in 3 instalments.

The 1st of these payments landed in accounts back in April, with the 3rd payment being rolled out during the spring of 2024.

The government have yet to announce exactly when the autumn payment will be made but there could be an announcement as early as September.

Here's all we know about the the payment, when it could land and how to apply – plus essential advice on what to do if you think you're missing a payment.

Who is eligible for Cost of Living cash?

You may be eligible for Cost of Living payments if you were in receipt any of the following benefits or tax credits during the qualifying period:

• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

If you are eligible, you will be paid automatically and the payments won't affect your benefits, nor will they need to be paid back.

Additional £150 disability cost of living payment

Earlier this year, there was a separate, one-off £150 payment for more than 6 million people with disabilities who qualified for the Cost of Living payments.

However, there were reports of many of these handouts going missing, so it's well worth checking that you have received what you should have

So far the Government have not yet revealed if they will be making another payment of this nature through the winter.

Pensioner Cost of Living Payment

If you have an older family member who was entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024, they will be getting their extra £150 or £300 paid with their normal payment from November 2023.

The Government say that the exact amount of Winter Fuel Payment (including the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment) they will get for winter 2023 to 2024 depends on when they were born, and their circumstances during the qualifying dates.

Those who are eligible will be sent a letter in October or November telling then exactly how much Winter Fuel Payment they will get.

Changes to Universal Credit and Child Benefit from September

If you have children who turned 16 before 31 August, you will see changes to your Universal Credit, child tax credits and Child Benefit payments from 1 September.

For many people, this could mean their payments are stopped.

We have all the info you need here on what you need to do to stay eligible for these payments – in some cases until your child is 20.

September help from the Household Support Fund

You will be able to get help from the Household Support Fund throughout the autumn and winter, although how much, and in what form varies from area to area.

In some parts of the UK, councils are giving local people money or supermarket vouchers to get them through their financial hardship, while others are giving away items such as air fryers and slow cookers to enable families to prepare meals more economically.

You can easily find out what's available in your area here and how you can apply for assistance.

Ready for your #UniversalCredit switchover?

Find out more https://t.co/Y0eNDEV6Gc pic.twitter.com/bgfDZrknTa

— Department for Work and Pensions (@DWPgovuk) August 11, 2023

Help with school uniforms costs this September

The autumn term is often the most costly of the school year, and also comes at the worst time financially for many families, as they not only struggle to get on an even financial keel after the costs of summer, but are also beginning to worry about trying to put some money away for Christmas, too.

Fortunately, help could be at hand via your local council who, under the Education Act 1990, have the authority to provide grants to parents who would otherwise be unable to afford to buy their children's school clothing.

The School Uniform grants can be worth up to £150 per child, but the exact sum will depend on your local council budget.

You need to apply directly to your local council, generally between June and the end of September. You can find out if your council are offering grants via this page on the Gov.uk website.

Be fraud aware and protect your personal details at all times

Your information could be used by criminals to commit benefit and other fraudhttps://t.co/DWpfN7C0Gi pic.twitter.com/mmPwlYIGnr

— Department for Work and Pensions (@DWPgovuk) August 18, 2023

September date changes for benefit payments

Fortunately there are no bank holidays this month to have any impact on the date your usual benefits and allowances will go into your account, so if you receive any of the following DWP entitlements, they should be in your bank on their usual payment date:

• 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

All the DWP Cost of Living, disability and pensioner payment dates 2023-2024 at glance

These are all the payments dates we have seen so far this year, and the ones that are still due to be made:

• £301 – First cost of living payment – paid during April and May 2023
• £150 – Disability payment – paid between 20 June and 4 July 2023
• £300 – Second cost of living payment – due during autumn 2023
• £300 – Pensioner payment – expected during winter 2023/4
• £299 – Third cost of living payment – due during spring 2024

More Cost of Living advice and DWP information

Our Cost of Living hub has all the latest stories about benefits and entitlements, and up-to-date information from the DWP.

You will find lots of Government-based advice on cash you might be entitled to, plus all the dates when you can expect the latest Cost of Living payments and other allowances to land in your bank account.

There are also top tips from the Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis, as well as brilliant ideas for saving money on everything from your weekly shop, to that well-deserved holiday.

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