In response to the growing financial pressures on households due to rising living costs, the UK government introduced the Cost of Living Payment through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
This initiative aimed to provide essential financial support to families and individuals struggling to cover costs like housing, utilities, and groceries.
With inflation running high in 2023 and early 2024, this assistance was crucial for many, offering relief to those facing uncertainty about their financial stability.
DWP £299 Cost of Living Payment Schedule
The DWP’s Cost of Living Payment was designed to be distributed in multiple stages throughout the 2023/24 fiscal year.
The goal was to deliver payments at key moments, helping recipients manage the ongoing challenges of increased living expenses.
Here’s an outline of the payment amounts and distribution dates:
| Amount | Eligible Benefits | Payment Dates |
|---|---|---|
| £301 | Universal Credit, Income-based JSA, Income-based ESA, Income Support, Pension Credit | Between 25 April and 17 May 2023 |
| £301 | Tax credits only (no other low-income benefit) | Between 2 May and 9 May 2023 |
| £300 | Universal Credit, Income-based JSA, Income-based ESA, Income Support, Pension Credit | Between 31 October and 19 November 2023 |
| £300 | Tax credits only (no other low-income benefit) | Between 10 November and 19 November 2023 |
| £299 | Universal Credit, Income-based JSA, Income-based ESA, Income Support, Pension Credit | Between 6 February and 22 February 2024 |
| £299 | Tax credits only (no other low-income benefit) | Between 16 February and 22 February 2024 |
These payments were issued automatically to those who met the eligibility criteria, meaning no application was necessary for most recipients.
This streamlined approach helped reduce the risk of fraud and simplified the process for individuals in need of support.
Eligibility for the Payment
To qualify for the £299 Cost of Living Payment, individuals needed to have received or been eligible for certain government benefits between November 13, 2023, and December 12, 2023.
The eligible benefits included:
- Universal Credit (unless there was a ‘nil award’)
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Child Tax Credits
- Working Tax Credits
Only recipients of these benefits were eligible for the £299 payment, ensuring that the financial aid reached those most in need.
Process to Report Missing Payments
If an eligible individual did not receive their payment, the DWP provided an online form to report the missing payment. The form required details such as the person’s full name, date of birth, and National Insurance number.
Upon submission, the DWP typically processed queries within two weeks.
This system allowed individuals to address payment issues quickly and efficiently.
Future Payments and Additional Support
As of the latest updates, no further Cost of Living Payments have been scheduled for 2024 beyond the final £299 payment in February.
However, other support measures remain in place, including a 6.7% increase in Universal Credit rates from April 2024, offering some continued relief to recipients facing high living costs.
Despite the end of the current round of Cost of Living Payments, the government’s commitment to supporting those struggling with living expenses continues through other financial measures and benefit adjustments.
