Cost of Living Payment

Bumblebee1814

I’m sure I’ve asked this before but I still can’t get my head around it. 

I was on tax credits previously but due to a decrease in award I made the change to UC as the benefits calculator showed that I would be better off. 

I applied for UC on 25 April 2022 and my assessment period was 26 April to 25 May 2022 with the first payment made on 1st June 2022. The actual amount I receive is £0, because my UC entitlement is sent to the landlord (council) for rent payment.

Would I be entitled to the first cost of living payment? 

poppy12345

You've asked twice before. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6361405/650-payment-uc#latest

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6367768/cost-of-living-payment#latest

Yes, you will receive the first payment of £326 between 14th - 31st July. It doesn't matter that you don't actually receive any UC because your payment goes straight to your landlord.

Recent updated guidance is here. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

Bumblebee1814

Hi Poppy. Thank you for the reply. Yes I have asked before. The reason for the doubt now is because I had to recently visit CAB for an unrelated issue and when discussing benefits etc CAB told me that I wouldn’t be entitled because a) I don’t receive payment directly and b) it was their understanding that you would have had to receive a payment between 26 April and 25 May. 

poppy12345

Bumblebee1814 said:

CAB told me that I wouldn’t be entitled because a) I don’t receive payment directly and b) it was their understanding that you would have had to receive a payment between 26 April and 25 May. 

They are not correct here.

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.

It doesn't say anything about "receiving a payment within those dates" Please read the link posted above.

calcotti

Very depressing that CAB have given you such inaccurate advice.

poppy12345

calcotti said:

Very depressing that CAB have given you such inaccurate advice.

There seems to be a lot of that happening lately.

Bumblebee1814

Having read the guidance I would have thought I would be entitled as well. But some of their advice has left me in doubt. 

They also mentioned to me that there maybe quite a few people in similar  situations ie not receiving payment directly but payment going to landlord and that we may not receive payment as the government are relying on a computer to figure who is entitled and who is not. 

fatbelly

The problem with CAB is the dumbed-down information system that the volunteers are required to use.

You can often get better advice from mse.

poppy12345

fatbelly said:

You can often get better advice from mse.

Which they already did on 2 previous occasions. CA then made them doubt the advice given here.

calcotti

Bumblebee1814 said:

They also mentioned to me that there maybe quite a few people in similar  situations ie not receiving payment directly but payment going to landlord and that we may not receive payment as the government are relying on a computer to figure who is entitled and who is not. 

The computer will show that the claimant is entitled. Where the payment is made to is a separate step.

Bumblebee1814

Thank you all for your responses and for clarifying the matter.