Financial support with the cost of living crisis

You don't need to apply for the cost of living payments; they are non-repayable grants and if you're eligible, you'll automatically receive the money straight into your bank account.

Cost of living support payments

If you receive any of the following means-tested benefits, you will receive the new round of cost of living payments which will be made in three lump sums throughout the year:

• Universal Credit
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Pension Credit

The exact payment dates will be announced closer to the time, but it is expected the three instalments will be paid out as follows:

• £301 – during spring 2023 (after the new financial year on 6 April 2023)
• £300 – during autumn 2023
• £299 – during spring 2024 (before the new financial year on 6 April 2024)

Each amount is slightly different so that the Department for Work and Pensions and HMRC can clearly track whether you've been paid the right payment at the correct time.

£150 disability cost of living payment

If you receive certain disability benefits, you'll receive the £150 disability cost of living payment in summer 2023. You can get this on top of the £900 means-tested cost of living payment and/or the pensioner payment below.

£300 pensioner cost of living payment

If you get Winter Fuel Payments and you're over state pension age, you'll get an extra £300 pensioner cost of living payment on top of your usual Winter Fuel Payments in winter 2023/24.

You should start receiving Winter Fuel Payment automatically once you reach state pension age.

What to do if you haven’t received cost of living support in 2022

Last year over eight million households received cost of living support payments of up to £1,100 to help with rising household bills. This included:

• £650 for those on means-tested benefits (paid in two instalments: £326 in July 2022 and £324 in November 2022)
• £300 'pensioner cost of living payment' top-up in November/December 2022
• £150 payment for those on disability benefits in September 2022

If you haven't had a payment yet but think you're eligible you need to let the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) know.

Other support available

If you’re not eligible for government grants but are struggling to make ends meet there is lots of other help and support available locally – from food banks to free childcare, help with transport costs and places in Southampton where you can go to keep warm. Check out our cost of living webpages for useful information and links to help you during this challenging time.