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Eligibility for cost of living payment?

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propol

Hi
I’m not sure about eligibility for the cost of living payment. My first assessment period was from 6/2/2023 to 7/3/2023 and I received UC payments for this period and since. Do I qualify or does my assessment period have to have ended on 26/2/2023. I’ve been on line but can’t make any sense of it. I also get PIP at the standard rates and have just been awarded LCWRA from 7/3/2023
thanks

Alex_Alumni

Hello @propol, to help everyone find your question more easily, I've made it into it's own discussion. I've found the following information on the Gov.uk website:

Universal Credit

You are eligible for the first Cost of Living Payment of £301 if you were entitled to a payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) of Universal Credit for an assessment period that ended in the period 26 January 2023 to 25 February 2023.

Income-based JSA, income-based ESA, Income Support and Pension Credit

You are eligible for the first Cost of Living Payment of £301 if you were entitled to a payment (or later found to be entitled to a payment) of income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Income Support or Pension Credit for any day in the period 26 January 2023 to 25 February 2023.
You are also eligible if you are entitled to one of these benefits for any day during this period but you do not receive a benefit payment because your entitlement is between 1 penny and 9 pence.

From the sound of it, as your assessment period ended on 7 March 2023, that would mean you aren't eligible unfortunately. I don't know if you would come under Income-based JSA, ESA etc?

Let us know if we can help further

propol

Thanks for that. Since my post I’ve been doing a bit of research. I am receiving PIP and LCWRA. The former from august 2022 and the latter(just awarded 7 March 2023). I made the initial claim for UC on 9/1/2023 by telephone but due to my disabilities I didn’t get the online application finished until 6/2/2023 when my assessment began
As I was only a few days out I contacted UC to explain the unavoidable delay. They have now referred the matter to a decision maker team. I’ll let you know the outcome. Meantime if anyone has any advice please post
thanks

poppy123456

If your assessment periods are 6th to 5th of each month then you will not be entitled to this CoL payment. I don’t believe decision makers have any discretion to override the eligibility criteria.

propol

thanks for that Poppy
I’m sure you’re right. However it would appear that the inability to question/appeal eligibility for such a benefit might be illegal under statute. In any event I’ll post on here further when I have heard back from them