Missing your much-needed grant? Here’s what you should do. (Picture: Getty)

Economic matters never seem far from the headlines these days, and it rarely seems to be good news. From worries about the pound’s strength to inflation increasing to record levels, life is, at least for now, getting more expensive.

This has left many people seeking to save money, whether it’s trying to make savings on food bills, cutting down on energy use, or even switching bank accounts.

While the government’s response to the increased cost of living has proved controversial (particularly the recent mini-budget), they have introduced measures to help households – especially through the winter months.

Once you have checked what you are entitled to, you can determine whether your payment(s) have arrived. Searching’ DWP Cost of Living’ on online bank statements can help highlight previous payments.

But what do you do if any of your payments appear to be missing?

Here is everything you need to know.

What are the different types of cost of living payments?

The government website lists three primary payments: the cost of living payment, the disability cost of living payment, and the pensioner cost of living payment.

However, there are other sources of help that households might be entitled to, including assistance with energy bills.

Energy bill increases have been a big driver of the cost of living crisis. (Picture: Jacob King/PA Wire)

Why haven’t I received my cost of living payment?

If you are on Universal Credit, Income-based JSA, Income-related ESA, Income Support, or Pension Credit, then the vast majority of people should have received their first payment (£326) between July 14 and 31, 2022.

Most people will see their second cost of living payment (£324) between November 8 and 23, 2022.

Those on Tax Credits should have seen their first payment between September 2 and 7, 2022, with a second due shortly after people on the low-income DWP benefits have been paid.

While the majority of payments have gone out without incident, the DWP has previously said that ‘operational issues’ had led to delays in getting the disability payment (£150) out and that most eligible recipients would receive their money at the start of October.

The majority of the first cost of living payments should have been made between July 14 and 31, 2022. (Picture: Matt Cardy/Getty Images).

The DWP said (about £150 disabled grant): ‘There will be some cases – such as those who gained entitlement to this payment at a later date or where payments were rejected due to invalid account details – who will not be paid by the beginning of October. These will be paid automatically as soon as possible.’

The pensioner cost of living payment of £300 will be paid to those entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment from November 2022.

How to report your missing cost of living payment

If you are confident that your payment hasn’t been made, you can raise the issue via the government website.

You will need your to have your National Insurance number to hand.

However, the page warns not to make a report if:

You did not receive a payment of one of the qualifying disability benefits for May 25, 2022 – you will not be eligible for the Disability Cost of Living PaymentYou have already had a £150 payment – you will only get one payment even if you get more than one disability benefitYou have already reported a missing £150 payment – we will reply to you as soon as we canYou’re still waiting for a decision on your benefit application or appeal – if you’re eligible, you’ll get the payment automatically laterYou want to report a missing £326 Cost of Living Payment

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If you think your cost of living payment might be missing, here are your next steps.