DWP claimants confused as some report receiving 'new' cost of living payment

29 January 2024 , 11:50

1275     0

Some PIP claimants are reporting a new cost of living payment appearing in their accounts (Image: Getty Images)

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants are questioning whether another disability cost of living payment worth £150 is being paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

A number of PIP claimants are reporting a new £150 cost of living payment suddenly appearing in their bank accounts reports BriminghamLive. It comes two weeks ahead of the final cost of living payment which will see £299 sent to eight million households on means-tested benefits.

Last year, the DWP paid £150 to those claiming disability benefits such as PIP and Attendance Allowance. The money was paid to those eligible between June 20 and July 4 2023.

According to Government guidance, to get the cash you must have received a benefit payment, or later found to have been eligible for a benefit payment" on the qualifying day. For last year's disability payment, this was April 1, 2023. This means if you were awarded a benefit payment at a later date, and it was backdated, you may still receive the £150 cost of living cash even after the July 4 cut off.

Some people may also receive the money after the original timeframe if they changed the account their benefits are paid into. A DWP spokesperson said the department "regularly reviews" people's entitlements to make sure they receive the correct payments.

Six teachers open up on 'difficult' strike decision - and why they are doing it

The spokesperson previously told the Mirror: "People were identified who were retrospectively entitled to the Disability Cost of Living payment. This could be due to a change of benefit circumstances or a request for backdating when their claim is processed. We undertake these exercises periodically even if the claimant did not contact us to inform us of a missing payment."

"Payments were made to people who were getting a qualifying disability benefit from DWP before payments to people who were getting a qualifying benefit from the Ministry of Defence. Your payment might come later, for example if you're awarded a qualifying benefit at a later date or you change the account your benefit is paid into. You will still be paid the cost of living Payment automatically."

Government guidance says the £150 payment is for anyone who claims any of the following:

• Attendance Allowance
• Constant Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance for adults
• Disability Living Allowance for children
• Personal Independence Payment
• Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
• Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• War Pension Mobility Supplement

The £150 disability cost of living payment is awarded automatically - so you don't need to apply for it. It also does not affect any other benefits you have, it is also non-taxable.

Ruby Flanagan