A further interest rate rise to 5.5 per cent has been predicted for this autumn, sparking fears that the cost of living crisis will not be over for a while.

It was announced earlier this summer that British wages had risen at a record rate with food prices coming down, which sparked hopes that the well-broadcasted hard times faced by many might be on the way out.

However, core inflation remains at 6.9 per cent which has led some experts to believe that the ever-higher cost of borrowing could make any gains redundant.

For many, the government’s cost of living payment will be a welcome lifeline and thousands are awaiting news of when the autumn grant will be.

What is the autumn cost of living payment?

Eligible claimants, who are the most vulnerable households, can receive £900 in three instalments.

The first was made between April and May, the second will be in the autumn and the third will be next spring. Recipients will receive around £300 each time.

The £150 payment is designed to be a top-up to benefits to help ease the strain from higher bills and prices.

Those with disabilities often face higher household energy bills, so are entitled to receive the extra payment alongside other financial help.

People on means-tested benefits and low incomes received a cost-of-living payment of £301 recently.

That payment went to around seven million people including those on universal credit and pension credit, and can include pensioners, who will receive a further £300 later in the year.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, said: “This payment helps protect those who need our support the most, providing a vital financial boost to six million disabled people.

“Our multi-billion-pound package of support reinforces our commitment to help UK households with the rising cost of living. It comes on top of record increases to benefits and the national living wage.”

When are the next cost-of-living payments?

People on disability benefits previously received a £150 payment between 20 June and 4 July.

More than eight million people on other means-tested benefits are receiving a £900 cost of living payment.

The money is being split into three instalments, with the first part — £301— having already been issued to eligible households.

The following £300 will be paid this autumn, and the final £299 will be paid in early spring 2024.

The payments will be sent to eligible people automatically, operating in the same way as the 2022 £650 cost-of-living support for those on benefits.

For winter 2023–2024, the DWP will extend the £300 boost to the winter fuel payment, popularly known as the pensioners’ cost-of-living payment. This means that the most vulnerable households could get up to £1,350 in additional support from the Government over the next year.

Who is eligible for the disability cost-of-living payments?

In order to get the £150 payment, you need to have been claiming one of the following benefits on April 1, 2023.

• Disability Living Allowance

• Personal Independence Payment

• Attendance Allowance

• Scottish Disability Benefits (Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment)

• Armed Forces Independence Payment

• Constant Attendance Allowance

• War Pension Mobility Supplement

You will still be entitled to the payment if you are later found to have been eligible for one of the following benefits on this date.

Who is eligible for the £900 cost-of-living payments?

According to Government official guidance, you may be eligible if you’re getting any of the following:

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Income Support

• Pension Credit

• Universal Credit

• Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt added: “I know these are tough times for families across the UK who are struggling to meet rising food and energy costs, driven by the aftershocks of Covid and Putin’s war in Ukraine.

“That’s why we’re putting a further £900 into the pockets of over eight million low-income households next year. These payments are on top of above-inflation increases to working-age benefits and the energy price guarantee, which is insulating millions from even higher global gas prices.”