With ongoing financial pressures from energy bills, food inflation, and housing costs, the UK government’s cost of living payments have been a lifeline for many. The last installment of the most recent assistance package for people receiving means-tested benefits is the DWP £299 cost of living payment.
This blog explains who qualifies, when you’ll receive the payment, what to do if it doesn’t arrive, and how it fits into the wider 2024–2025 support scheme.
What is the DWP £299 Cost of Living Payment?
Why the Government Introduced This Support?
The cost of living payments were introduced in 2022 to help low-income households manage essential expenses during a period of high inflation. These payments, which are overseen by HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), are:
- Non-taxable
- Do not affect existing benefits
- Automatically paid to those who qualify
Main Reasons:
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Rising Costs: Support low-income families struggling with increased prices.
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Targeted Help: Focused on people receiving means-tested benefits to ensure the right support reached those most affected.
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Economic Strain: Address the wider cost of living crisis caused by global and domestic economic challenges.
This payment was designed to provide extra financial relief to vulnerable groups during a time of increased economic difficulty.
How It Fits into the Wider Cost of Living Payment Scheme?
The £299 payment was the final part of a three-stage support package totaling £900, aimed at helping low-income households manage rising living costs. It came after installments of £300 in the fall of 2023 and £301 in the spring.
Key Context:
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Part of a Series: It was the third and last installment in the 2023–24 Cost of Living Payment scheme.
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Associated with Benefits: All payments were intended for recipients of certain income-based benefits.
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Government Strategy: Designed to spread financial support across the year, giving households help when they needed it most.
Together, these payments formed a coordinated effort to reduce financial strain throughout the year for the UK’s most vulnerable residents.
Is This the Final Instalment?
- Yes, the £299 Cost of Living Payment issued in February 2024 was the final instalment in the UK government’s series of support payments designed to assist low-income households during the 2022–2024 period.
- No more Cost of Living Payments are anticipated as of May 2025, according to confirmation from the DWP.
Who Is Eligible for the £299 Cost of Living Payment?
List of Qualifying Benefits
You had to have been eligible for one of the following means-tested benefits between November 13, 2023 to December 12, 2023 in order to be eligible for the £299 Cost of Living Payment:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
It’s important to note that you would not have been eligible for this payment if you were only receiving New Style JSA, contributory ESA, or New Style ESA, as these are not means-tested benefits.
For Universal Credit recipients, eligibility required that your assessment period ended within the specified dates. For other benefits, you needed to have been entitled to a payment for any day within the qualifying period.
If you were receiving both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, you would have received a single payment, typically through the Child Tax Credit account. Payments were made automatically, so there was no need to apply.
If you believe you were eligible but did not receive the payment, you could report the missing payment through the official channels provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Income-Based Criteria and Exceptions
To receive the £299 Cost of Living Payment, your benefit must be income-based and active during the qualifying dates (13 Nov–12 Dec 2023).
Qualifying Criteria:
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Must be receiving means-tested benefits like Universal Credit, Income-based JSA/ESA, Pension Credit, or Tax Credits.
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Payment must cover at least one day in the qualifying period.
Key Exceptions:
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Not eligible if receiving only contributory or New Style JSA/ESA, as these are not income-based.
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No application required; if the requirements were satisfied, payments were made automatically.
This ensured that support went directly to those with the lowest incomes.
Can You Get It If You’re Working?
Yes, you can receive the £299 payment even if you’re working, as long as you’re on a means-tested benefit like Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit.
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Part-time or low-income workers often qualify.
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Your earnings must be low enough to still receive one of the eligible benefits.
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Meeting the benefit conditions during the qualifying period is key.
Employment does not automatically disqualify you.
When Will the £299 Payment Be Made?
Confirmed or Expected Payment Dates
The £299 Cost of Living Payment was distributed in February 2024 as the final installment of the UK government’s support package for low-income households.
Payment Dates:
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DWP: Between 6 and 22 February 2024 for most eligible recipients.
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HMRC: For tax credits-only recipients, between 16 and 22 February 2024.
Payments were made automatically to those eligible; no application was necessary. Bank statements reflected these payments as ‘DWP COL’ for DWP disbursements and ‘HMRC COLS’ for HMRC disbursements.
If you believe you were eligible but did not receive the payment, you could report the missing payment through the official channels provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
How to Know If You’re in the Eligibility Window
You are eligible to get the £299 amount if:
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You received a qualifying benefit (e.g. Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Tax Credits)
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Anytime between November 13, 2023 and December 12, 2023.
Check your benefit statements for this period. If your benefit was paid or active on any day within those dates, you likely qualify.
What Happens If Your Benefit Was Delayed?
You can still be eligible for the £299 Cost of Living Payment if your benefit was postponed but was later backdated to cover the qualifying period (November 13–December 12, and 2023).
Key Points:
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Backdated Eligibility: If your benefit claim is approved and backdated to include any day within the qualifying period, you should automatically receive the payment.
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No Application Needed: The payment is made automatically once eligibility is confirmed; there’s no need to apply.
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Delayed Payments: If your benefit was delayed and later approved, the Cost of Living Payment might be issued after the main payment window.
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Reporting Missing Payments: If you believe you’re eligible but haven’t received the payment, you can report it through the official channels provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Always ensure your contact and bank details are up to date to avoid any delays in receiving payments.
How Will You Receive the DWP £299 Payment?
Will It Be Paid Automatically?
If you were eligible for the £299 Cost of Living Payment, it was paid automatically—no application was needed.
Payment Method:
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Direct deposit into your bank account, using the same details as your usual benefit payments.
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Payment reference on your bank statement:
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For DWP benefits: “DWP COL”
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For HMRC tax credits: “HMRC COLS”
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Payment Dates:
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DWP benefits (e.g., Universal Credit, Pension Credit): Paid between 6 and 22 February 2024.
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Tax credits only: was paid from February 16–22, 2024.
If you believe you were eligible but did not receive the payment, you could report the missing payment through the official channels provided byDWP or HMRC.
Which Bank Account Will It Go To?
The £299 payment is sent to the same bank account where you normally receive your benefit or tax credit.
- It is deposited into your DWP payment account if you are receiving DWP benefits.
- Your HMRC-registered bank account will receive payment if you solely get tax credits.
No separate action is required—just ensure your account details are up to date.
How It Will Appear on Your Statement
Your bank statement will reflect the £299 payment as follows:
- If paid by the Department for Work and Pensions – “DWP COL”
- If paid through tax credits by HMRC – “HMRC COLS”
It is a Cost of Living Payment, as these labels attest.
What If You Don’t Receive Your £299 Payment?
How Long to Wait Before Reporting It
If you were eligible for the £299 Cost of Living Payment but haven’t received it, you should report the missing payment to the relevant authority.
How to Report:
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For DWP-administered benefits (e.g., Universal Credit, Pension Credit):
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To report a missed payment, use the official DWP Cost of Living Payment Report Form.
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For HMRC-administered benefits (e.g., Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit):
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Contact HMRC directly via official GOV.UK contact page.
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Ensure your bank details are up to date and check your bank statements for entries labeled ‘DWP COL’ or ‘HMRC COLS’ before reporting.
How to Contact DWP or HMRC for Missing Payments
If you believe you’re eligible for the £299 payment but haven’t received it, here’s how to contact the right department:
Contacting DWP (for benefits like Universal Credit, Pension Credit):
- Online: Use the official GOV.UK form to report a missing payment.
- Phone: Call the helpline number on your usual benefit letters.
Contacting HMRC (for tax credits):
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Online: Visit HMRC Contact Page.
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Phone: Call 0345 300 3900 (tax credit helpline), Monday to Friday.
When contacting or filing a report, be sure to have your bank account information and National Insurance number on hand.
What to Do If You Think You Were Wrongly Excluded
You can:
- Request a mandatory reconsideration
- Speak to a welfare adviser or Citizens Advice
- Review your benefit eligibility dates and bank details
How the £299 Payment Fits into the 2024–2025 Cost of Living Support Plan
Breakdown of All Cost of Living Payments for This Period
| Payment | Amount | Issued |
| First Payment | £301 | April–May 2023 |
| Second Payment | £300 | October–November 2023 |
| Third Payment (This One) | £299 | February 2024 |
Will There Be More Payments After This One?
As of May 2025, the UK government has confirmed that no further £299 Cost of Living Payments are planned.
However, alternative support measures have been introduced to assist households facing financial challenges:
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Household Support Fund (HSF): Extended through March 2026, the HSF provides financial assistance to vulnerable households for essentials like food and energy.
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Adjustments to Universal Credit: Starting in April 2025, low-income households will be able to keep a larger portion of their benefits as the maximum deduction from Universal Credit payments for debt repayments has been lowered from 25% to 15%.
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Prescription Charge Freeze: NHS prescription charges in England have been frozen at £9.90 for the first time in three years, providing additional relief to patients.
While the direct £299 payments have concluded, these initiatives aim to continue supporting those affected by the rising cost of living.
What the Autumn Statement or Budget May Reveal
The upcoming Autumn Statement or Budget may reveal:
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New targeted support for low-income households.
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Updates about the growth or extension of the Household Support Fund.
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Potential adjustments to tax or benefit rates to ease living costs.
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Clarification on energy bill help or other essential cost reliefs.
While no further £299 payments are planned, future announcements could introduce fresh financial aid based on economic conditions.
Can You Receive the £299 Payment if You’re Claiming Tax Credits?
HMRC’s Role in Distributing Payments
HMRC was responsible for paying the £299 Cost of Living Payment to people who received:
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Working Tax Credit
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Child Tax Credit
If you didn’t get any DWP-administered benefits, HMRC made the payment directly between 16 and 22 February 2024.
Automatic payments appeared as “HMRC COLS” on bank statements.
Eligibility if You Receive Working or Child Tax Credit
The £299 payment was due to you if:
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You were given either a child tax credit or a working tax credit.
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And didn’t get any DWP benefits
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You were paid for any day between 13 Nov and 12 Dec 2023
The payment was made automatically by HMRC—no need to apply.
Will HMRC and DWP Payments Be Separate?
No, you won’t receive two payments.
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The £299 payment is made by the DWP if you receive benefits from both the DWP and HMRC.
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The payment is handled by HMRC if you solely get Tax Credits.
Each qualified individual only receives one payout.
Is the £299 Cost of Living Payment Enough?
How It Compares to Household Spending Needs?
The £299 payment offered short-term relief, but for many households, it did not cover essential monthly costs like:
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Food and groceries
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Energy and water bills
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Rent or mortgage payments
With average household expenses often exceeding £1,500 per month, the payment was helpful—but not enough to meet ongoing financial demands.
Additional Help Available for Struggling Households
- Local Welfare Assistance Schemes
- Council Hardship Funds
- Fuel vouchers and Warm Home Discount
- Food banks and charity grants
How to Access Local Council or Charitable Support
Contact your local authority or visit:
- Turn2Us
- Citizens Advice
- Local council website
Quick Breakdown of £299 Cost of Living Payment
| Criteria | Details |
| Payment Amount | £299 (one-off) |
| Payment Window (DWP) | 19 Feb – 29 Feb 2024 |
| Payment Window (HMRC) | 23 Feb – 29 Feb 2024 |
| Eligibility Period | 13 Nov – 12 Dec 2023 |
| Qualifying Benefits | UC, Pension Credit, Tax Credits, etc. |
| Application Needed? | No – Paid Automatically |
| Reporting Missing Payment Deadline | After 8 March 2024 |
Conclusion: Make Sure You’re Prepared and Informed
The DWP £299 cost of living payment may be the final instalment for now, but it’s still a critical source of help for millions of people in the UK.
To make sure you get what you’re entitled to:
- Check your eligibility dates
- Keep benefit records updated
- Follow official channels if anything goes wrong
- Use local support services if more help is needed
For updates, always refer to gov.uk or speak to a welfare adviser.
FAQs About the DWP £299 Cost of Living Payment
Can I Get the Payment If I’m on Housing Benefit Only?
Not unless you’re also receiving a qualifying benefit like Pension Credit or Universal Credit.
Will It Affect My Other Benefits or Tax?
No. It is:
- Non-taxable
- Doesn’t count as income
- Won’t affect other benefits
Do I Need to Apply for the £299 Payment?
No. If you’re eligible, the payment will be made automatically.
Is It the Same for Pensioners and Disabled People?
Yes, if they’re receiving qualifying means-tested benefits. Separate disability and pensioner payments were issued earlier in the support plan.
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DWP 300 Cost of Living Payment DWP £750 Payment Boost June 2025
I’m Laura Wilson, a passionate blogger and content creator with a deep interest in business, finance, and entrepreneurship. I’ve had the opportunity to write for several premium blogs, sharing insights & practical advice for individuals & small businesses. I’m the founder and publisher of ukbusinessmag.co.uk, where I focus on creating valuable, easy-to-understand content to help UK startups & SMEs grow.
