Cost of living grant

iknowjohn

The £650 cost of living grant. It says people on universal credit. Is this people on full universal credit or does it also include people who only receive a bit if money. I get £60 a month so was just wondering if this entitles me to the £650. 

poppy12345

It includes everyone that had an assessment period that ended in the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022, regardless of how much you're entitlement is.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

iknowjohn

Sorry I'm new to universal credit. I only started claiming the middle of May. Does this include me then. Is that what you mean by assesment period

poppy12345

iknowjohn said:

Sorry I'm new to universal credit. I only started claiming the middle of May. Does this include me then. Is that what you mean by assesment period

As you only started claiming in mid May then you won't qualify for the first payment of £326 in July. To qualify your assessment period must have ended in the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022 and yours wouldn't have because of the new claim in mid May. (see link) Unless you were previously claiming any of the other qualifying benefits listed in the link.

The criteria for the 2nd payment of £324 in the Autumn hasn't been announced yet so you may qualify for that but you'll have to wait and see.

iknowjohn

But I had my first payment before 25th May

Spoonie_Turtle

iknowjohn said:

But I had my first payment before 25th May

What date did you actually submit your claim?  What date was your first statement?

Having a payment before the 25th May is incompatible with having claimed mid May.  Unless you mean you had an advance, which doesn't count for the CoL payment.

iknowjohn

Well if so. That sucks. The money is for cost of living now lol

poppy12345

iknowjohn said:

I only started claiming the middle of May.

Then..

iknowjohn said:

But I had my first payment before 25th May

So what date exactly did your claim start?

iknowjohn

I'm trying to see but the site is down. But I did have and advance. So will probably miss out. As usual 

Spoonie_Turtle

Can you look on your bank account and see which date you had the first regular payment?

iknowjohn said:

Well if so. That sucks. The money is for cost of living now lol

I honestly think the cutoff date was to prevent an influx of new claims just after the announcement.

poppy12345

The advance payment isn't your first payment. Based on a claim starting in mid May then i'm afraid you won't qualify because the assessment period will end after 25th May. An AP lasts for 30 days.

It maybe the cost of living payment but there has to be a cut off date for the criteria naturally.