LOCAL MP and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride has been overseeing the roll-out of cost of living payments to eight million low-income households, including 8,400 households in his Central Devon constituency. 

The payments of £300 are the second of three totalling £900 this year and have started to be received by eligible households.

The payments are tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards. 

Mr Stride said: “Tackling inflation is the best way to boost people’s incomes, but as we work to halve it, we are protecting the most vulnerable households from high prices with this latest Cost of Living payment.”

Eligible households are likely to include those in receipt of:

• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Income Support

• Pension Credit

• Universal Credit

• Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit.

Those eligible will be paid between Tuesday, October 31 and Sunday, November 19.

Payments will be made automatically and those eligible do not need to apply for the payment or do anything to receive it.