When will I get the £650 cost of living payment?

Millions of families will be wondering ‘when will I get the £650 cost of living payment’ as they continue to struggle with rising food costs, sky high energy bills and record fuel prices. 

The good news is you don’t have to wait too much longer to receive some of it. But it won’t be paid in one go - it will be split into two smaller payments rather than a single payment of £650. 

More than eight million low-income households are eligible for the payment as part of former Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s cost of living support package. He said: “We have a responsibility to protect those who are paying the highest price for rising inflation, and we are stepping up to help.”

Find out when the cost of living payments for 2023 will be paid.

When will I get the £650 cost of living payment?

The £650 cost of living payment will be made in instalments and the Government announced back in June when low-income households could expect the first payment. The first instalment of £326 will be paid directly into your bank account from 14 July and all qualifying households should receive it by the end of the month. 

The second cost of living payment of £324 will be made in between 8 and 23 November.

You don’t need to apply for the payment - it will be made automatically to those who are eligible. According to the Department for Work and Pensions, to be eligible for the second cost of living payment of £324, you must have received, or later receive one of the following, for any day in the period 26 August 2022 to 25 September 2022:

• Universal credit
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income support
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit 
• Pension Credit.

The payment will be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.

It is estimated that one in four families will be eligible for the second cost of living payment. More than eight million families received the first instalment which was paid in July. 

What other cost of living payments could I receive?

All households qualify for a £400 energy rebate from October to help with rising energy prices. But you won’t receive this as a direct payment to your bank account - it will be knocked off your energy bill. 

There is also a separate £150 payment for those with disabilities and a £300 payment for pensioners. 

Households in council tax bands A-D will also qualify for a £150 council tax rebate. Many will have already received this, but if you haven’t had yours yet, check your local council’s website for more information. 

While not a cost of living payment, a recent change in the National Insurance threshold could also see millions of people see a bit more money in their pay packet each month.

You might also be interested in our article on whether everyone who received Universal Credit will receive the £650 cost of living payment.