The first cost of living payments are starting to hit bank accounts this week. (Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

With inflation still running high, many households continue to struggle with the cost of living amid a crisis that has seen significant increases in the price of electricity, gas, and fuel, as well as food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Fortunately, the first government cost of living payment is starting to be distributed to eligible people, with two more payments due in 2023/2024, totalling £900.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, has said: ‘The best thing we can do to help people’s money go further is deliver on our priorities to halve inflation and grow the economy.

‘But we’re also here to help people through these tough times, which is why we’re holding down energy bills, freezing fuel duty, increasing Universal Credit, and giving £900 payments to low income and vulnerable families – all in part funded through windfall taxes on energy profits.’

However, with the payments starting to be made earlier this week, many of those who are yet to receive the funds are asking in what order the payments are being made.

Here is what we know so far.

Is the £301 cost of living payment being paid in alphabetical order?

No, there is no specific order – alphabetical or otherwise, including geographically, based on National Insurance numbers, benefit types, or some other system.

Addressing the question, a spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said: ‘There’s no particular order but we’re working hard to pay everyone eligible as soon as possible.’

The payments are being made in random batches, at around one million at a time, Chronicle Live reported ahead of the first cost of living payment in 2022.

However, the payments made by the DWP are being made ahead of those claiming via tax credit, which HMRC will pay.

The first of the payments (worth £301) is being made between Tuesday, April 25, and Wednesday, May 17, 2023

You are entitled to the payment if you receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, or Child Tax Credit.

The government website states: ‘The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will send payments automatically and directly to recipients’ bank accounts, with a reference of their National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP COL’.

The site goes on to say: ‘Once the majority of those who are entitled to a payment by DWP have been paid, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will make payments of £301 between Tuesday 2 and Tuesday May 9 to one million eligible families receiving tax credits only, with the banking reference “HMRC COLS”.’

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If you are yet to receive your payment, that doesn’t mean it will not be paid. The DWP has tweeted: ‘If you are eligible but have not yet received a payment there is no need to worry – and there’s no action you need to take.’

They also tweeted that 1.6 million payments were made yesterday (April 26), meaning 3.2 million payments had been made overall.

The subsequent two payments, £300 and £299, are due in autumn 2023 and spring 2024 for most people.

The DWP also stress that there is no need to apply for the payment, and any attempts to make you do so are likely to be a scam.

MORE : How will the £301 Cost of Living Payment be made?

MORE : All DWP cost of living payment changes in May 2023 – from dates to increases

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