How do I get the £650 cost-of-living payment and £400 energy grant?

Direct payments to help with the soaring cost of living will soon start to be paid into bank accounts - but some people will need to ensure they receive their full entitlement.

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The first instalment of payments to those on benefits is being made from 14 July, the government has said.

Other grants will come later in the year, as part of a mix of broad and targeted support. They will not affect the tax you pay, or the benefits, or tax credits, you get.

What are the first cost-of-living payments for people on benefits?

A £650 payment will be made to more than eight million low-income households who receive Universal Credit, income-based Jobseekers Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, working tax credit, child tax credit and pension credit.

This will come in two instalments. The first, of £326 will be paid for most people between 14 and 31 July. The second, of £324, will be paid in the autumn. Those on tax credits will have to wait longer, as the first payment will be in the autumn and the second instalment during the winter.

They will be paid automatically into bank accounts - usually marked "DWP Cost of Living".

Administrators are using a computer programme to identify those eligible. Anyone who feels they are entitled but does not receive it can contact the office that pays your benefit or tax credits to discuss it.

How will the £400 energy discount be paid out?

All UK households will get a grant which will reduce energy bills by £400 from October.

Initially, this was designed to be a £200 reduction paid back in instalments over five years. Now, the discount has been doubled and there is no requirement to repay.

In other words, from October, everyone's energy bill will be reduced by £400.

The discount will be made automatically by your energy supplier. There is no need to apply.

Over the course of six months from October, direct debit and credit customers will have the money credited to their account. Customers with pre-payment meters will have the money applied to their meter or paid via a voucher.