In a significant move to support struggling families, the Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed that five million households across England and Wales will receive a £575 cost of living payment this spring. This crucial financial support comes as many continue to battle high energy bills and rising everyday expenses.
Who Qualifies for the £575 Payment?
The payment will be automatically distributed to households receiving certain means-tested benefits during the qualifying period. The support targets those most vulnerable to cost of living pressures.
Eligible recipients include those claiming:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
When Will Payments Arrive?
The DWP has indicated that the £575 payments will be made between spring and the end of the 2024/25 financial year. Unlike previous cost of living payments that arrived in single lump sums, this support will be distributed in multiple instalments throughout the period.
This staggered approach aims to provide more consistent support to households facing ongoing financial pressure rather than a one-off boost.
Automatic Payment System
Eligible households do not need to apply for the £575 support. The payment will be made automatically into the same bank account where recipients normally receive their benefit payments.
The DWP has emphasised that the payment will be clearly identifiable in bank statements, making it easy for recipients to recognise when it has arrived.
Broader Cost of Living Support
This £575 payment forms part of a wider package of government support totalling £104 billion designed to help households with rising costs between 2022 and 2025. The package includes various measures such as:
- Previous cost of living payments
- Energy bill support schemes
- Benefit uprating in line with inflation
- Additional support for pensioners and disabled individuals
With millions of households still feeling the pinch from elevated living costs, this £575 boost represents a vital lifeline for those struggling to make ends meet. The staggered payment approach may help families budget more effectively through the challenging months ahead.
