309,000 NI households to get £326 cost of living payment
The cash will be followed by a £324 payment in the Autumn.
Last updated 14th Jul 2022
309,000 Northern Ireland households are due to benefit from a £37million UK Government support package to combat the cost-of-living crisis.
8million homes across the UK will receive an automatic cash boost of £326 from today (Thursday) if they claim means tested benefits.
It is due to be paid between today and July 31st. Stormont will receive funds to distribute.
People are they receive certain support, such as Universal Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit.
Those eligible do not need to apply and payments may appear in accounts as "DWP Cost of Living".
A Department for Communities spokesperson said: “As per the DWP statement most of the first cost of living payments are being made between 14 and 31 July.
"These payments are being made in batches with local payments due to reach most customer accounts on 20 July.
"A small number of customers here may receive their payment before or after 20 July.”
The payment will be followed by a second instalment of £324 in the Autumn.
A disability top-up will then land in bank accounts in September 2022.
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