DWP benefit dates for March 2024 and other help as cost of living payments end

The cost of living crisis continues to be felt deeply by families and individuals across the country, and benefits are failing to stretch far enough.

Inflation remained at a stubborn 4% in December – a reminder that the crisis isn’t over yet.

It’s important to know that help is out there if you need it, and you may be able to claim more in benefits than you think.

Just under £19billion in benefits goes unclaimed each year, according to research by Policy in Practice. That’s often because people don’t know about them, can’t access them and because of the stigma around asking for help.

The Big Issue has reported about how benefits and cost of living payments fail to stretch far enough amid the ongoing crisis. Universal credit falls £140 short of the money people need to live each month.

Millions of people on benefits have now received the last of the cost of living payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Some of the extra financial support available over the winter period has also come to an end – such as the winter fuel payment for pensioners.

Below, we have rounded up everything you need to know about benefits you can claim in March 2024 and where to get help if that’s not enough.

When will my benefits paid by the DWP in March 2024?

The date your benefit is paid depends on what benefit you receive and when you started claiming.

Universal credit is paid monthly by the DWP. You can find out more about universal credit here.

Attendance allowance, disability living allowance, pension credit, personal independence payment and state pension are paid every four weeks.

Carer’s allowance, tax credits (from HMRC) and child benefit are either weekly or every four weeks. And maternity allowance is either every two weeks or every four weeks.

Income support, employment and support allowance and jobseeker’s allowance are usually every two weeks.

How do I know if I am eligible for benefits in March 2024?

You could be entitled to benefits and tax credits if you are working or unemployed, sick or disabled, a parent, a young person, an older person or a veteran. You can use the charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator to find out what benefits you are entitled to claim. 

Citizens Advice offers information and services to help people and they can advise you as to what financial support is available from the government to help you. 

• Where to get cost of living help – including cost of living payments, benefits, energy grants and more
• Energy bills to rise as price cap increases. Here’s how to get help if you can’t afford to pay

The government’s Help for Households website explains what support you could be eligible for – such as cost of living payments and we’ve got a round-up of all the cost of living help available to households here.

Are there any more cost of living payments planned for 2024?

There are currently no more cost of living payments planned for 2024.

The last one should have hit bank accounts by February 22, if you were eligible.

If you think you should have had a payment but you can’t see it in your bank account, you can report it through the government’s website.

Before reporting a missing payment, you should check your bank, building society or credit union account, or your payment exception service voucher receipt.

Find out more about the cost of living payment here.

Are benefits and state pension set to increase in 2024?

Benefits and state pension are set to increase in April 2024.

The chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in the Autumn Statement that benefits are going to be increased by the September rate of inflation of 6.7%.

He also announced that state pension will be increased by 8.5% in April, according to the rules of the triple lock and wage growth.

When will the warm home discount be paid?

The warm home discount is applied to your electricity bill between October 2023 and 31 March, 2024. 

It is £150 granted to low-income households with high energy costs. The money comes off your bill rather than being paid to individuals. You can find out more here.

Where else can I get cost of living help?

Benefits aren’t stretching far enough in the cost of living crisis – but there are other options out there for people who need it.

People who are struggling financially may be eligible for charitable grants. You can find out what grants might be available to you using Turn2Us’ grant search on the charity’s website. There are a huge range of grants available for different people – including those who are bereaved, disabled, unemployed, redundant, ill, a carer, veteran, young person or old person. Grants are also usually available to people who have no recourse to public funds and cannot claim welfare benefits. 

If you are unable to pay your bills, your local council may have a scheme that can help you. Local councils may be able to give you debt advice, help you get hold of furniture and support you through food and fuel poverty. Your council may also have a local welfare assistance scheme, also known as crisis support. You can also find out what support your council offers through End Furniture Poverty’s local welfare assistance finder or by contacting your local authority directly.

You can find your local food bank through the Trussell Trust’s website or the IFAN’s member’s map. You can also call the Trussell Trust’s free helplines and talk to a trained adviser. It’s 0808 208 2138 if you live in England or Wales, and 0800 915 4604 if you live in Northern Ireland. You should contact your local council if you live in Scotland.

There’s lots more cost of living help available to people who need it – we round it up here.

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? We want to hear from you. Get in touch and tell us more.