Over 300,000 households in the North East are eligible for means-tested benefits will receive the first instalment of their £900 cost-of-living payment.

This spring an estimated 307,200 households in the County Durham, Teesside, Gateshead and Newcastle will receive a £301 payment.

Further to that, an estimated 265,800 individuals are eligible for an additional disability payment of £150 this summer.

These benefits could make claimants eligible for the £301 payment including Universal Credit, tax credits, Jobseekers Allowance and Income support.

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Eligible individuals do not need to apply for payments as they come out automatically.

Check out how many households in your area are eligible for the means-tested payment:

County Durham: 76,700

Darlington: 15,100

Gateshead: 30,300

Hartlepool: 17,800

Middlesbrough: 27,400

Newcastle upon Tyne: 44,000

Redcar and Cleveland: 21,500

Stockton-on-Tees: 27,100

Sunderland: 47,300

Further payments are set to be made this autumn and next spring.

Jeremy Hunt, chancellor of the exchequer, said: “High inflation, exacerbated by Putin’s illegal war, is hurting economies across the world and making people poorer.

These payments are the next part of the significant support we are providing through this challenging time, with millions of vulnerable households receiving £900 directly into their bank accounts this financial year alongside additional help for pensioners and those with disabilities.

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This latest payment will provide some temporary relief, but the best thing we can do to help families and businesses is to stick to the plan to halve inflation this year.

The exact payment windows will broadly follow as below:

  • £301 – First 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2023
  • £150 – 2023 Disability Payment – during Summer 2023
  • £300 – Second 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment – during Autumn 2023
  • £300 – 2023 Pensioner Payment – during Winter 2023/4
  • £299 – Third 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment – during Spring 2024