As we enter March, the cost of living crisis continues to hit households hard, so we looked at the DWP payments you may be eligible for this month.

The ONS is predicting inflation will remain above 8 per cent this month, and a cold snap brought on by a major Sudden Stratospheric Warning (SSW) is seeing many people reach for the thermostat again.

However, many households will be able to receive government assistance in March.

Here are some of the payments you could be eligible for in the coming weeks.

Energy Bill Support Scheme

The scheme was introduced last year to support households with rocketing energy bills and concludes this month.

The Northern Echo:

You will receive your final payment in March.

If you pay by direct debit you should receive the discount on your bills or as a refund into your bank account.

Households using a prepayment meter will either see the credit appear on their smart prepayment meter, or will be sent a voucher by text, email or post if they are on a traditional meter.

Cold Weather Payment

With the Met Office warning a major SSW is likely some households may qualify for Cold Weather Payments.

Until the end of March, you could receive £25 for every seven days the temperature in your area is recorded to be, or forecast to be, below freezing.

You may be eligible for the payment if you receive any of the following benefits:

  • Pension Credit
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Universal Credit

You could also be eligible if you have young children living with you.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Eligible households will receive a one-off £150 discount on their energy bills as a result of the scheme.

If you live in England or Wales you will qualify if you are on a low income with high energy costs, or are in receipt of the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.

In Scotland you will also have to meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme.

DWP Cost of Living Payment

While the date of the first £301 cost of living payment has not been announced yet, it was announced by the DWP that it would arrive in Spring, meaning it could land in your account this month.

The Northern Echo:

This is when to expect each individual payment over the next year:

  • First cost of living payment - £300 – Spring 2023
  • Disability payment - £150 – Summer 2023
  • Second cost of living payment - £300 – Autumn 2023
  • Pensioner payment - £300 – Winter 2023
  • Third cost of living payment - £299 – Spring 2024

There are several benefits that could make claimants eligible for the £301 Cost of Living Payment, including Universal Credit and tax credits – through which 5.4 million households across the UK are expected to qualify, and Pension Credit, through which 1.4 million pensioner households are expected to be paid. 1.3 million will be eligible through legacy DWP benefits such as Jobseekers Allowance and Income Support, reaching a total of 8.1 million households.

Eligible individuals do not need to apply for payments, as they are made automatically. Those eligible for cost of living payments through tax credits, and no other means-tested benefits, will be paid by HMRC shortly after DWP payments are made.