Millions of cash-strapped households are to be given an extra £300 from the government this spring to help them through the ongoing cost of living crisis.

The cash - which won't need to be paid back and is tax free - is one of three payments totalling £900 that those on means-tested benefits will be given between now and early next year.

And, after much speculation since the initial announcement at the start of 2023, the Department for Work and Pensions has now confirmed exactly when the first instalment of money should start arriving in people's bank accounts.

The £301 lump sum payment will be sent out to recipients, identified by officials as being eligible for the cash, between Tuesday, April 25 and Wednesday, May 17.

The payment reference for bank accounts will be DWP COLP, along with the claimant’s National Insurance number.

People who qualify for the first upcoming cost of living support payment will be claiming one of the following benefits:

* Universal Credit

* Income-based Jobseekers Allowance

* Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

* Income Support

* Working Tax Credit

* Child Tax Credit

* Pension Credit

To get the money, you also need to have been entitled to a payment from one of the above benefits between January 26 and February 25.

Those who are eligible for the £301 solely through tax credits, and not through DWP means-tested benefits, will get their money from HMRC shortly after the DWP payments begin.

There will also be further payments worth £150 for six million eligible disabled people and £300 for pensioners claiming winter fuel payments that will be sent out later this year, officials have confirmed, but exact payment dates have yet to be released.

The DWP is encouraging low-income pensioners not already getting Pension Credit to check their eligibility, as they can still qualify for the extra £301 Cost of Living Payment if they make a successful backdated Pension Credit application by May 19.

Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: "These payments will give a financial boost to more than eight million households as we continue to wrap our arms around the most vulnerable, while the best way we can protect people from high costs is to halve inflation by the end of this year."

A decision to give millions of people extra cash to try and keep their heads above water follows a £650 cost of living support payment made to over eight million people in 2022.