Thousands of East Renfrewshire residents are set to receive a cash payment to ease cost-of-living pressures within days.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that households will receive the first of two instalments, totalling £650, from July 14.

An estimated 7,300 families in East Renfrewshire are eligible for the means-tested benefit.

They will each receive £326 as an initial payment, with the second instalment of £324 being paid from the autumn.

The payments are deliberately designed to be slightly unequal in order to minimise the risk of fraudsters trying to exploit the system.

Those who are eligible will be paid automatically, in the same way they usually get their benefits or tax credits.

More than 8,900 East Renfrewshire residents will also be eligible for a separate £150 disability cost-of-living payment, which will be issued in September.

The payments are on top of a £400 grant for all local households to help with energy bills and an extra £150 in council tax relief for those living in properties in bands A to D.

This means East Renfrewshire households with the lowest incomes will receive at least £1,200 in support this year.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: “We know families are struggling with the increased cost of living and these payments will provide extra financial support to those who need it most.

“The UK Government is committed to helping Scots cope with the pressures of rising costs and, as part of a £37billion UK-wide package of support, we’re giving help to pay energy bills, making changes to the Universal Credit taper rate and providing the Scottish Government with funds to allow them to rebate council tax.”

For more information, visit www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment.