Third and final cost of living payment to be paid from 6 February 2024 – here's who qualifies

MSE_Molly_G

Around eight million households on certain benefits and Tax Credits will receive the third and final part of their £900 cost of living payment from 6 February 2024, the Government has confirmed. 

Read the full story here:

Third and final cost of living payment to be paid from 6 February 2024 – here's who qualifies 

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HillStreetBlues

I sense a possible Spring election as payments brought forward than originally planned.

sourpuss2021

I applied for UC on 1st December and have had a first meeting at the job centre to verify my ID. Following from that meeting I had an advanced payment, and this week I’m to meet a work coach.   

So does this sound like I’ll qualify for the £300? My first regular UC payment won’t be till the start of January but I understand it’s backdated. 

HillStreetBlues

sourpuss2021 said:

I applied for UC on 1st December and have had a first meeting at the job centre to verify my ID. Following from that meeting I had an advanced payment, and this week I’m to meet a work coach.   

So does this sound like I’ll qualify for the £300? My first regular UC payment won’t be till the start of January but I understand it’s backdated. 

Sadly you won't get it as your first assessment period will end on the 31st Dec, so out of the date range.

Spoonie_Turtle

HillStreetBlues said:

sourpuss2021 said:

I applied for UC on 1st December and have had a first meeting at the job centre to verify my ID. Following from that meeting I had an advanced payment, and this week I’m to meet a work coach.   

So does this sound like I’ll qualify for the £300? My first regular UC payment won’t be till the start of January but I understand it’s backdated. 

Sadly you won't get it as your first assessment period will end on the 31st Dec, so out of the date range.

To follow on from this,

"You are eligible for the Cost of Living Payment of £299 if you were 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 13 November 2023 to 12 December 2023."

That's the date range; as you can see, nowhere near it (if that's any consolation).

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment#low-income-benefits-and-tax-credits-cost-of-living-payment-eligibility

williewonder

Can I use my cost of living payment towards my Turkey holiday in April, going with my support worker for 10 nights. Would this be reasonable expenditure for the cost of living payment?

poppy12345

williewonder said:

Can I use my cost of living payment towards my Turkey holiday in April, going with my support worker for 10 nights. Would this be reasonable expenditure for the cost of living payment?

You can spend it on anything you want to, exactly the same as all the past CoL payments.

Muttleythefrog

williewonder said:

Can I use my cost of living payment towards my Turkey holiday in April, going with my support worker for 10 nights. Would this be reasonable expenditure for the cost of living payment?

Spending on holiday in Turkey - fine
Spending sending a Turkey on holiday - fine
Spending on substances making you think your support worker looks like a turkey - probably illegal/bad choice of bar. (Different advice from those holidaying in Cornwall where people do indeed dress up with the heads of animals on and dance around)

Spend any of your benefit related monies on what you like but I understand you have people help you with your budgeting/spending and if so I would default to them for advice generally

Have a good festive season!

textbook

On Tax credits still, will I get it?

poppy12345

textbook said:

On Tax credits still, will I get it?

Did you read the link posted above?

Tax credits

You are eligible for the Cost of Living Payment of £299 if you received a payment of tax credits for any day in the period 13 November 2023 to 12 December 2023, or if you later receive a payment for any day in that period

Chrysalis

HillStreetBlues said:

I sense a possible Spring election as payments brought forward than originally planned.

Yeah, I swear I remembered it was announced April, thanks for confirming.