Cost of Living Support payment

[Glitterbomber]

I received £326 into my bank this morning from HMRC COLS… No idea what that means so I googled it and it’s a cost of living support payment.

Im a bit confused about why I’ve received it though as I’m a high rate tax payer so my income doesn’t allow for any means tested benefits!
I’ve read the criteria and don’t qualify for it from what I can see. Maybe I’m wrong? If anyone has any ideas please let me know…

AIBU to be worried about spending it? Should I contact HMRC to give it back?

I would contact HMRC. It will belong to someone.

I presume you don't get pip (not means tested)?

Have you claimed tax credits in the past?

AIBU to be worried about spending it?

Well obviously if you aren’t entitled to it, which you say you know you aren’t, then you will have to pay it back so why would you spend it?

You only get the £150 disability payment if the only benefit you claim is pip.

I hope you get to keep it. Nice to hear of a higher rate tax payer getting something for a change. We get nothing, not even child benefit.

Why would you spend money that you know doesn't belong to you?

I'd contact HMRC if it happened to me but the fact that you are considering spending it suggests you may not be as honest

Nothing part from the income that puts you into the higher tax rate band 😀, I'm sure we're all feeling for you

Did you have a tax credits claim earlier this year? Those who had them in April/May are due a COL payment about now.

I think the assessment period was for earlier this year or last year. We’re you still in the same financial position at that point? That could be why maybe?

It's only for people who receive means tested benefits, so you definitely shouldn't have received it. In your shoes I would ring dwp.

@EllaVoday I’m surprised you are on a higher income given your lack of critical thinking skills.

You must have had a payment of tax credits sometime between 26th April & 25th May this year. HMRC are paying the COL for tax credit claimants, it is supposed to be from tomorrow. DWP paid the previous round of COL, so the fact that it states HMRC on the bank statement makes it tax credit related.

Do you receive tax credits because you have a disabled child?
I think that's the only way you might be entitled as a higher earner

Amazing isn't it? Sulking because she doesn't get money due for people that with the steep rises, won't even drag them above the poverty line in many cases.

Yes this was the other thing I was just thinking. Payments aren't supposed to start til tomorrow so could well be a mistake.

😂😂😂😂😂

We put more than enough into the system and yet even though we're all facing a rise in costs we're unlikely to receive extra support above the £400.

I'd shove it into a savings account and contact HMRC.

Hope OP gets to keeps it, but undoubtedly it'll get taken away and given to a millionaire pensioner, who's obviously more in need.

Hope OP gets to keeps it, but undoubtedly it'll get taken away and given to a millionaire pensioner, who's obviously more in need.

Urgh. It's from HMRC, it's for tax credit claimants. Nothing to do with pensioners.

Man I wish this would happen to me 😭. We’re not gonna make it til the end of the month!

PS. I also hope you get to keep it.

Likely to be a mistake, eg gone into the wrong bank account. There could be someone else out there waiting for the money who's really relying on it to buy food, school uniforms etc.

If you know its not yours you need to ask HMRC how to return it, because they're likely to ask for it back sooner or later and there could be penalties if you keep money that you know you're not entitled to.

In the meantime, put it in a separate savings account and pretend that it doesn't exist, if you can't trust yourself not to spend it, just because it's currently sitting in your bank account.

What has my income got anything to do with you?

Why, because I hope OP gets to keep her windfall? Should I be angry?

Exactly!

The resentment here is incredible.