THOUSANDS of eligible households in the Test Valley are receiving a cost of living payment from the Government. 

Roughly 9,500 households in the Test Valley are eligible to receive up to £900 in cost-of-living payments, figures from the Department for Work and Pensions show. 

However, the Resolution Foundation warned the Government that some people would slip through the cracks as they deal with increasing energy prices and inflation. 

The first of three instalments, worth £301, has been made between April 25 and May 17 and should appear directly in people's bank accounts.

Payment might come later, for example, if you’re awarded a qualifying benefit at a later date or you change the account your benefit or tax credits are paid into.

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Those eligible include anyone who received any of the following benefits between January 26 and February 25 this year:

  • Universal Credit
  • Income-based jobseekers allowance
  • Income-related employment and support allowance
  • Income support
  • Working tax credit
  • Child tax credit
  • Pension credit

Lalitha Try, economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: "The Government’s cost-of-living payments will provide much-needed support for more than eight million UK households, and are rightly targeted at many of those who will need the most help.

"However, many families who are urgently in need of help will still fall through the cracks – such as those who are on a low income, but not receiving benefits."

Alongside the support payments is a £150 disability payment, which will be paid out to 6.7 million people across the UK this summer – approximately 9,100 of these are based in Test Valley. 

A further £300 is due for pensioners in receipt of winter fuel payments later this year.

For more information on additional support, go to testvalley.gov.uk/cost-of-living-support