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Am I likely to get the cost of living payment?

teezee

Morning all, I hope you're well.
I'm confused over the cost of living payment and wondered if anyone could help please?
I've been on UC for over a year now along with SSP from a part time job which I've been signed off from since October, (injured my knee at work last year).
I know that if you got a nothing from them in the period 29/4 - 29/5 you could miss out. That was me .. I would have got £217.00 but that was paid directly to my housing association, so I physical got nothing paid into my bank account.
Will this affect me and the cost of living payment? I'm really struggling financially at the moment. I received small payments from UC in the months before and after May, (around £151 plus their contribution direct to my landlord), it's just that one month that, unfortunately, was affected.
I'd appreciate any help as I can't seem to find anything online other than, "you may be entitled if a tent payment has been made by UC".
Thank you x

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teezee

That was a "rent" payment .. I honestly don't live in a tent 😂

Alex_Alumni

Good morning @teezee and thanks for your query, I've marked it as unanswered so that our members can share their thoughts with you, as I'm afraid I'm not sure of the exact answer in this case.

On the Gov.uk website it says:

To get the first Cost of Living Payment of £326, you must have been 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 April 2022 to 25 May 2022.

When was your Housing Association paid the £217.00?

calcotti

You should get the Cost of Living payment because you were entitled to a UC payment. The fact the payment was made direct to your landlord rather than to you makes no difference. The criteria are having a UC entitlement, not a UC payment,

teezee

Thank you calcotti. My daughter said the same but I've never been lucky with these things so I tend to err on the negative 🙈 xx

poppy123456

There are others like yourself who's rent is paid straight to their LL and they've received the first payment.

teezee

@Alex_Scope that was paid out of the money I received on 29th May. Award period 23/4-22/5 x

Alex_Alumni

Thanks for explaining @teezee that's really helpful

Because your award period ended on the 22nd May, you will be entitled as this falls within the period 26 April 2022 to 25 May 2022.

The first payment should go in anytime between 14th July and 31st July, so there's still time for it to come through yet!

I hope that helps reassure you

Sue_Alumni

Good morning @teezee
I'm glad that calcotti and Alex_Scope have been able to help you on this. The first payment of the cost of living payment should be made before 31.7.22. The dates for the second payment haven't been confirmed yet.

teezee

Thank you. I'm still waiting. I just wish there was a telephone number to call to find out for sure. I'm only getting £151 from UC tomorrow, (£404 is being paid directly to my landlord as part rent but I've still, somehow, got to find out other £220).
I'm getting panicky that I've heard nothing. Tried asking my benefits agent but they just said to look on the website .. like I haven't done that almost as frequently as I've checked my banking app 😩 It's so frustrating. X

calcotti

Biblioklept said:

@teezee did you get the cost of living payment in the end?
How come UC don't cover your full rent? Look at a discretionary housing payment if it's short every month.

A shortfall on rent in the private sector is very common because rents are generally higher than the applicable Local Housing Allowance which limits hte maximum help.
Be aware that a Discretionary Housing Payment, if awarded, will be for a short term period only.

calcotti

Biblioklept said:

..People end up with out their full rent covered incorrectly a lot too. Like an untidy tenancy or deductions when they shouldn't apply so was just checking it wasn't those.

Also although DHP as meant as short term some councils will continue to award them and even short term help is better than none

Agree with your comments - sorry if my earlier brief comment came across as dismissive. That wasn't my intention.