Food storage room at The People’s Kitchen in North Belfast to help people in need
Low-income households across Northern Ireland will receive the last instalment in cost of living payments over the next few weeks.
Payments of £299 will be made between February 6 and February 22 for people who receive certain means-tested benefits.
It’s part of a £37 billion UK-wide cost of living support package, with this payment being the last for 2023-24 after the first instalment of £301 arrived in banks accounts last spring.
Fuel Poverty charity, National Energy Action, has asked the Governemnt to “provide additional cost of living payments for the most vulnerable households” in 2024.
However, Mims Davies, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Work and Pensions, said in a written response: “There are currently no plans to extend the cost of living payments beyond the Spring.”
We have put together a handy guide on the cost of living payment, as well as other payments available in Northern Ireland to help with rising costs.
Who is entitled to the cost of living payment?
You may be entitled to cost of living payments if you get any of the below benefits or tax credits:
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
How do I receive the cost of living payment in Northern Ireland?
You do not need to apply to receive the payments. If you are eligible, you will be paid in the same way you receive normal benefit payments.
The cost of living payments are not taxable and will not affect benefits or tax credits.
What other payments are available to help with rising costs?
A number of other payments are available in Northern Ireland to help with rising costs.
A £150 disability payment was paid to those eligible in the summer, while a £300 payment for people on tax credits but no other low income benefits was paid in November.
If you were born before September 25, 1957, you will also be entitled to a £300 winter fuel payment.
Last year, households using home heating oil received a one-off payment of £100 to help with rising energy costs, which was delivered as a top-up to the £400 Energy Bills Support payment which went to all UK households.
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