THOUSANDS of Bromsgrove households are due to receive the first cost of living payment from the government.

Department for Work and Pensions figures show around 7,400 households in Bromsgrove are eligible to receive up to £900 in cost-of-living payments.

They are among more than 8 million households across the UK who will receive the support.

The first of three instalments – worth £301 –should appear directly in people's bank accounts by May 17.

Those eligible include anyone who received universal credit, income-based jobseekers’ allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, income support, working tax credit, child tax credit and pension credit.

Alongside the support payments is a £150 disability payment, which will be paid out to 6.7 million individuals across the UK this summer – approximately 8,100 of these are based in Bromsgrove.

A further £300 is due for pensioners in receipt of winter fuel payments later this year.