Thousands of households in Suffolk are due to receive, or have received, the first cost of living payment from the government.

Department for Work and Pensions figures show about 74,000 households across the county are eligible to receive up to £900 in cost-of-living payments.

They are among more than eight million households across the UK who will have received the payment by today.

The first of three instalments, worth £301, should appear directly in people's bank accounts by May 17, after payments began on April 25.

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.

A further 69,700 people on disability benefits will get a separate £150 payment and a £300 pensioner payment amid the ongoing inflationary crisis.