DWP clarifies reason some people on ESA will not qualify for new £900 cost of living payment

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently announced the payment schedule for the next wave of cost of living support, worth up to £1,350 for those on a low-income, people claiming disability benefits and pensioner households.

The DWP also confirmed that the new £900 cash support for over eight million eligible means-tested benefits claimants will be made in three instalments - two this year and one in 2024.Claimants on qualifying benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits, will see the first payment for £301 land in their bank accounts automatically this spring.

However, the DWP also confirmed this week the reason why people on Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) will not be eligible for any of the means-tested payments.Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, Mims Davies MP, clarified that the new £900 cost of living payment is being targeted at low income households in receipt of a “means-tested income replacement benefit” - Contribution-based ESA is a non means-tested benefit.The response came after Labour’s Dame Angela Eagle MP asked in a written query: “For what reason the Department has decided that those in receipt of Contribution-based Employment Support Allowance and who do not receive Universal Credit are not eligible for Cost of Living Support payments?” In a written response, Ms Davies said: “The cost of living payment is being targeted at low income households who are in receipt of a means-tested income replacement benefit.

Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance is a non means tested benefit. “Non-means tested benefits are not qualifying benefits for the cost of living payment in their own right because people receiving these