July Cost of Living Payment

Itsryeh

Hi, hoping someone can help (seem a number of different answers online).

The July cost of living payment is due from the 14th of this month - in some places it states people who are eligible for certain benefits (inc Universal Credit) will receive it.

My question is; will people who have an open claim, but may not receive any UC payment in that month because of wage rises, still receive the payment?

Rubyroobs

You need to have had a Uc payment in an assessment period ending between 26th April to 25th may this year. I think there are some exceptions where debt deductions have wiped out any payments, will still get the payment.

calcotti

If your earnings in the relevant period means that there was no UC entitlement you will not get the first Cost of of Living payment.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

Universal Credit
To get the first Cost of Living Payment of £326, you must have been entitled to a payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) of Universal Credit for an assessment period that ended in the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022.

We will update this guidance when the government has announced the qualifying dates to get the second payment of £324.

The payment will be made separately from your benefit. It will appear in your bank, building society or credit union account, or on your Payment Exception Service voucher receipt, as ‘DWP Cost of Living’.

Universal Credit ‘nil awards’
You will not be eligible for the Cost of Living Payment if your earnings reduced your Universal Credit to £0 for the qualifying assessment period. This is sometimes called a ‘nil award’. If money has also been taken off for other reasons (such as payments of rent to your landlord or for money that you owe), you might still be eligible.