More cost of living payments are on the way for those on benefits and Universal Credit.

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But it’s important that you claim what you’re entitled to.

You don’t always need to be receiving state support to get extra free cash.

For example, thousands can earn up to £200 by simply switching their bank account.

Many more could qualify for direct cash grants from their local authority to help with every day bills and expenses.

Here’s the details of the four direct payments you can get directly into your bank accounts now.

Households Support Fund – up to £1,000

The Household Support Fund is designed to help those in most need with payments towards the rising cost of food, energy, and water bills.

You’ll usually need to be on a low income to receive the help, but you don’t necessarily need to be claiming DWP benefits such as Universal Credit to claim the cash.

What you can get depends on where you live and what eligibility requirements are set by your local authority.

Check with your council directly to see what’s on offer as some share money with charities which can then give you cash or food vouchers.

For example, residents living in Torridge can get up to £1,000 in cash support.

There isn’t a set limit on how much people can get, but struggling households could get anywhere between £600 and £1,000.

The amount depends on the individual’s circumstances.

The money will be paid directly into bank accounts and will be paid within 14 working days of application.

Other councils pay hard-up households between £100 and £500 direct to bank accounts.

So check to see how much your council is paying households as part of the scheme.

Cost of living payment – £300

Millions are also in line to receive cost of living payments worth up to £1,350.

The first instalment of the £900 payment has already been paid to millions on certain benefits, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit.

The remaining two payments, worth £300 and £299 will be made this autumn and in spring 2024 respectively.

The full list of benefits that qualify people for the payment is:

• Universal Credit
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Pension credit

You’ll usually need to be claiming at least one of the benefits above during a certain time period which will be announced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) at a later date.

Usually, those on tax credits only receive their payment from HMRC after the DWP payments begin.

Switching bonus – up to £200

Lloyds Bank, First Direct and NatWest are all currently offering switching bonuses to customers.

Lloyds is offering £150, plus additional perks including the choice of 12 months of Disney+, six free cinema tickets and magazine subscription if you sign up to one of its current accounts.

There is a £3 monthly fee to maintain any one of the accounts though, unless you deposit £2,000 or more in each month.

Customers will also get access to a regular saver account which offers 6.25% interest.

Meanwhile, bank customers signing up to First Direct can get £175 free cash and access to a 7% savers account.

You just have to pay in £1,000 or more within three months of switching and then wait up to 28 days for the £175 to appear in your account.

NatWest is offering switchers £200, although you can’t get the bonus if you had an account with NatWest, RBS or Ulster since October 2017.

To get the £200 you just have to open the account online or in-app, switch in the account then pay in £1,250 or more and use the app within 60 days.

The £200 should then be transferred within seven days.

Whenever you do make a switch to a new bank, make sure you consider everything that bank is offering you beyond the cash bonus.

Disability cost of living payment – £150

Over six million people should have already received a £150 Disability cost of living between June 20 and July 4.

The tax-free cash was paid directly into recipients’ bank accounts.

To have qualified for the £150 payment, you need to have been receiving any one of the benefits below:

• 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

But, if you think you should have received this payment and haven’t, you can report it missing to the DWP.

Anyone who has not received the £150 disability cost of living payment has only been able to report it missing from today.

You’ll need to call the DWP and have your NI number to hand.

Make sure you don’t report the same missing payment more than once.