Cost-of-living payment date set for February

Eight million people on means-tested benefits will receive a cost-of-living payment in February to help with high bills - the last scheduled instalment.

The £299 payment will be made directly into bank accounts, without the need to make a claim, between 6 February and 22 February.

Those on low incomes and receiving benefits such as universal credit are eligible, but should be wary of scams.

A committee of MPs recently questioned whether the payments were sufficient.

In November, a report by the Work and Pensions Committee said the money only provided a temporary reprieve for some, and may have been better used for increasing benefits instead.

More than six million people with disabilities received £150 during the summer. During the winter, over eight million pensioners are receiving an extra £300.

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The February payment of £299 is the last of three instalments that totalled £900, which will have been paid within a year.

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: "We will always protect the most vulnerable, while ensuring fairness for the taxpayer."

After this final instalment, no further cost-of-living payments are currently scheduled, creating some concern among charities.

However, the government pointed to a 6.7% rise in benefits and an 8.5% rise in the state pension, as well as an increase in the financial support provided to those on benefits who rent privately, which all come into effect in April.

Everyone is being warned to watch out for any scam messages about cost-of-living payments purporting to be from government bodies. Some are designed to capture personal and financial information.

On legitimate payments, there will be a reference on a recipient's bank account of their national insurance number, followed by DWP COL, or the reference HMRC COLS for those who are eligible through tax credits.

Am I eligible for the money?

• The money will be added automatically into the account which is used to receive benefit payments

• The reference will be DWP COL, along with the claimant's National Insurance number

• To qualify for a payment, you must receive one of universal credit, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, income support, working tax credit, child tax credit, or pension credit

• You will need to have been entitled to a payment for one of these benefits between 13 November and 12 December, or payment for an assessment period ending between these dates

• Low-income pensioners who are eligible for, but not claiming pension credit, can still qualify for the cost-of-living payment if they make a successful backdated pension credit application

• Those who qualify solely through tax credits will receive their cost-of-living payment with the reference HMRC COLS