With food and energy prices at an increase, it has been difficult for many people to just get by on a day-to-day basis.

And so, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been giving cost of living payments to millions of households to help people with energy bills, as well as food and more.

In 2022, around 40 million people in the UK were targeted by scammers using the cost of living crisis to trick them into handing over money and personal details.

Last year, Citizens Advice warned it had seen a range of associated scams as people sought financial help with the cost of living,

These included emails claiming to be from Ofgem asking people to enter their bank details to get the £400 energy rebate.

The best way to avoid these scams will be to check if you are eligible for these payments through the government website.

'If you're eligible, you'll be paid automatically'

From today, more than six million people with disabilities will begin receiving a one-off cost of living payment of £150.

In its latest move, the DWP will begin distributing the one-off sum in a two-week window to help support those struggling with the rising cost of living.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: "The additional costs faced by disabled people mean inflation is particularly challenging, which is why halving it this year and getting back to the Bank of England's 2% target is our priority.

"The £150 we're sending disabled people over the next two weeks is part of a major cost of living support package worth just under £100bn, providing some peace of mind to the most vulnerable in society."

Understanding your payments

You may be entitled to up to three Cost of Living Payments of £301, £300 and £299.

This is if you receive the following benefits or tax credits on certain dates:

• If you're on income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Income Support

• Pension Credit

• Universal Credit

• Child Tax Credit

• Working Tax Credit

Here are all the Cost of Living payments coming up in 2023 and 2024

£300 and £299 payments

The government website said dates for these payments have not yet been announced, but if you are eligible, most people will receive £300 during autumn 2023.

And some people will also be paid £299 during spring 2024.

Disability payment

The government website has said if you are eligible, you will be paid £150 automatically between 20 June and 4 July.

You'll get this payment if you receive any of the following benefits:

• Attendance Allowance

• Constant Attendance Allowance

• Disability Living Allowance for adults

• Disability Living Allowance for children

• Personal Independence Payment

• Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)

• Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)

• Armed Forces Independence Payment

• War Pension Mobility Supplement

Winter Fuel payment

Those that are eligible will get these payments automatically in November or December.

People will receive a letter stating how it will be sent and which bank account it will be paid to.

The government website says this payment is available for people born before 26 September 1956.

Pensioner Cost of Living payment

Pensioners can also get an extra £150 or £300 from this payment - which will be paid as an automatic top-up to the Winter Fuel payment. This is to help pensioners with heating bills.

The government website has said: "The full amount of Winter Fuel payment (including the Pensioner Cost of Living payment) you will get for winter 2023 to 2024 depends on when you were born and your circumstances during the qualifying dates."

So be sure to check if you are eligible via the government website.

Read more from Sky News:
Dates revealed for when millions will receive cost-of-living payments
Cost of living support payment due to be paid to more than eight million households

The government website also says you will not be eligible for the Cost of Living payment if your benefit is reduced to £0 for the qualifying period - this is sometimes called a nil award.

The reasons your benefit may be reduced to £0 include:

• Getting more than one payment of earnings in your Universal Credit assessment period

• You or your partner's earnings went up

• You or your partner's savings went up

• You started receiving another benefit

• You got a sanction because you did not do something you agreed in your claimant commitment

However, you may still be eligible if your benefit is reduced to £0 and one of the following applies:

• Money was taken off your benefit for other reasons. This includes payments of rent to your landlord or for money that you owe.

• You had a hardship payment because you could not pay for rent, heating, food or hygiene needs.