Are you wondering when the DWP £299 cost of living payment will arrive and how to claim it? With ongoing financial pressures in the UK, this government support aims to ease the burden for low-income households.
As the final instalment of the £900 payment package, it’s essential to know if you qualify, when you’ll receive it, and what to do if it doesn’t arrive. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the 2024–2025 payment timeline and eligibility.
What is the DWP £299 Cost of Living Payment?
In response to the ongoing financial challenges faced by millions across the UK, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced the continuation of cost of living support through a series of direct payments.
Among these, the £299 cost of living payment is the third and final instalment of the 2023-2024 support scheme, aimed at assisting low-income households in coping with rising prices in essentials such as energy, food, and housing.
This payment follows the £301 and £300 payments already issued in Spring and Autumn 2023. The £299 payment, scheduled for early 2024 but relevant well into 2025 due to eligibility checks and delayed receipts, reflects the government’s recognition of the sustained cost pressures affecting millions.
Administered directly by DWP and HMRC, the payment is designed to reach eligible individuals automatically if they are receiving certain means-tested benefits.
This financial aid, while not taxable or affecting other benefits, plays a vital role in easing the day-to-day burden on households, especially those with fixed or limited incomes.
The payment is part of a broader strategy from the UK Government to manage the cost of living crisis, particularly after the economic impacts of inflation, energy price hikes, and the ongoing pressure on household budgets.
Who Is Eligible for the £299 Cost of Living Payment?
Eligibility for the £299 cost of living payment is determined based on the type of benefit an individual receives and whether they were entitled to it during the qualifying period set by the DWP.
Unlike universal support schemes, this payment specifically targets individuals on low incomes or those receiving income-related benefits.
Qualifying Benefits Include
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
To be eligible, recipients must have been entitled to one of the above benefits between 6 February 2024 and 12 March 2024. For those on Tax Credits only, the payment is delivered by HMRC, not DWP.
Individuals receiving only contributory benefits such as New Style JSA, New Style ESA, or State Pension are not eligible unless they also receive one of the qualifying income-related benefits.
Eligibility is automatically assessed by DWP or HMRC, so no separate application is required. However, it is essential for claimants to ensure that their benefit information and bank account details are accurate and up to date to prevent delays in payment.
When Will the DWP £299 Payment Be Made?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed that the £299 cost of living payment, the final instalment in the UK Government’s £900 support package, was scheduled for disbursement between 6 February and 22 February 2024.
However, as we move through 2025, some households may still be dealing with delayed payments, appeals, or post-payment reviews related to this instalment.
For most eligible recipients, the payment was successfully issued in early 2024. Yet, DWP continues to process retrospective claims or manual interventions for households who either:
- Had an appeal approved after the main payment window closed
- Reported a missing payment through the official GOV.UK form
- Had incorrect or outdated payment information at the time of the original issue
What’s Happening in 2025?
As of 2025, no new £299 payments are being issued unless under exceptional cases tied to unresolved 2024 entitlements.
This means that if someone didn’t receive the payment during the original window and did not report it promptly, they may no longer be eligible to receive it retroactively unless their benefit status was backdated by DWP or HMRC.
However, DWP has confirmed that anyone who received qualifying benefits during the original eligibility period (6 February to 12 March 2024) should have received the £299 payment by end of March 2024.
If a person was awarded a qualifying benefit after this period with a backdated decision, they may still receive their payment in 2025, but only through direct DWP follow-up.
Do You Need to Apply for the DWP £299 Payment?
One of the most important aspects of this support payment is that no application is needed. If you are eligible based on your benefit records, the payment is processed and deposited directly into your bank account.
This design is intended to simplify the process and avoid placing additional administrative burdens on recipients who may already be struggling financially. DWP and HMRC use the benefit entitlement data from the qualifying period to determine eligibility and issue the payment accordingly.
However, if you believe you were eligible but haven’t received the payment by early April 2024, you may be able to report the missing payment via an online form on GOV.UK.
This form usually becomes available after a reasonable grace period post-payment window, allowing DWP to first complete the automatic processing phase.
How Will the £299 Cost of Living Payment Be Delivered?
The payment will be made directly into the recipient’s bank account, using the same details registered with their qualifying benefit. It is important for claimants to ensure their payment details are correct with DWP or HMRC to prevent misdirected payments.
The payment will appear on your bank statement with a reference such as ‘DWP COLP’ (Cost of Living Payment) followed by your National Insurance number. HMRC-issued payments may appear slightly differently but will still clearly indicate their origin.
In very rare cases, people may receive a letter confirming the payment if there’s a discrepancy or issue during processing. Such communication serves as both notification and a prompt to take action if something seems amiss.
Recipients are advised not to contact DWP or HMRC during the payment window unless their payment has not arrived by the expected deadline.
What to Do If You Haven’t Received the £299 Payment?
If your payment hasn’t arrived after the end of the scheduled window, the first step is to confirm your eligibility again by reviewing your benefit entitlements for the qualifying dates. If you’re confident you meet the requirements, check the following:
Things to verify
- Is your bank information up to date with DWP/HMRC?
- Were you on a qualifying benefit during the eligibility window?
- Have you received any letters or notifications about overpayments or suspensions?
If everything checks out and you’ve still not received the payment by early April 2024, you can report it as missing via the official GOV.UK cost of living payment page. The reporting form becomes available typically two weeks after the final payment date.
Do not attempt to reapply for the benefit or submit a new application unless explicitly advised by the DWP. Doing so may disrupt your current claim status or delay future payments.
Will There Be More Cost of Living Payments After This?
As of the 2025 government budget updates and DWP announcements, no further cost of living payments have been confirmed beyond the £299 instalment. This payment was the third and final support measure as part of the £900 total package announced in 2023 by the UK Government.
While there are no confirmed plans for additional one-off payments in 2025, financial experts and advocacy groups continue to push for further targeted support due to the continuing pressures from high inflation and energy prices.
Any new support schemes will likely be announced through formal channels such as the GOV.UK, the Spring Budget, or autumn statements.
If further cost of living support is provided, it may take a new form, such as targeted energy bill discounts, enhanced winter fuel payments, or adjusted benefit rates rather than direct one-off cash payments.
How Does This Support Help Households Financially?
The £299 payment provides essential relief for families facing economic hardship, particularly those with fixed incomes, disabilities, or dependents. While it may not cover all rising costs, it helps households manage critical expenses such as:
- Energy bills during colder months
- Increased food and grocery prices
- Housing costs, including rent or council tax
- Unexpected costs like school uniforms or repairs
Real-Life Impact
Citizens across the UK have reported that such payments are often used for specific needs rather than general expenses.
Many pensioners, for example, put it toward heating bills or topping up prepaid meters, while families with children often use the funds to stock up on non-perishable groceries or cover childcare costs.
Though modest in amount compared to overall inflation, the payment offers a necessary financial cushion, especially when paired with other schemes like the Warm Home Discount or Council Tax Reduction.
Conclusion
The DWP £299 cost of living payment serves as a final chapter in a vital support package for millions of UK residents affected by ongoing economic uncertainty.
It provides timely relief to eligible recipients struggling with rising living costs and ensures that the most vulnerable households receive extra help when they need it most.
As we move further into 2025, it’s clear that while the payment alone isn’t a complete solution to the cost of living crisis, it plays an important role in the government’s temporary relief efforts.
With no additional payments confirmed yet, staying informed and ensuring benefit records are accurate remains crucial for all claimants.
FAQs
What is the purpose of the £299 cost of living payment?
The payment is designed to help low-income households manage increasing costs such as food, energy, and housing during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Can someone receive the payment if they only claim State Pension?
No, State Pension on its own does not qualify unless it is received alongside an income-based benefit like Pension Credit.
Will this payment impact Universal Credit or other benefits?
No, the payment is non-taxable and does not count toward benefit caps or affect any ongoing benefit entitlements.
How can someone check if they qualify for the £299 payment?
Eligibility can be confirmed by reviewing benefit records during the set qualifying period or by checking notifications from DWP or HMRC.
What should someone do if their bank details have changed?
They should update their account information directly with DWP or HMRC before the payment window starts to avoid delays.
Will DWP contact recipients directly before making the payment?
No, DWP generally does not send advance notices. The payment will arrive automatically if you qualify.
Is there any support if someone missed out on the £299 payment?
Yes, a missing payment can be reported through an official GOV.UK form if eligibility requirements were met.