The UK government has been responding to the mounting cost of living by implementing various financial support measures, particularly through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). One of the key initiatives introduced was the Cost of Living Payment, designed to provide essential financial assistance to individuals and families facing higher expenses for basic necessities such as housing, utilities, and groceries. This support proved crucial during 2023 and into 2024, when inflation rates were high, and many citizens experienced financial strain.
The £299 Cost of Living Payment
The final installment of the Cost of Living Payment for the 2023/24 financial year was the £299 payment. This payment was part of a larger package of disbursements aimed at providing incremental financial relief throughout the year. Eligibility for these payments was based on recipients’ participation in certain government welfare programs, ensuring that the support reached those most in need, including recipients of Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and various tax credits.
DWP £299 Cost of Living Payment Schedule
The DWP designed the Cost of Living Payments to be distributed in stages, with payments being made at specific points during the year to help recipients manage the ongoing rise in living costs. The following table provides a breakdown of the schedule for these payments:
| 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 |
The payments were made automatically to eligible individuals, eliminating the need for an application process and reducing the risk of fraud.
Eligibility for the £299 Payment
To qualify for the £299 Cost of Living Payment, recipients needed to have received (or been eligible for) one of the following benefits at any point between November 13, 2023, and December 12, 2023:
- Child Tax Credits
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit (unless receiving a ‘nil award’)
- Working Tax Credits
Reporting Missing Payments
In the event that an eligible recipient did not receive their payment, the DWP set up an online reporting form on the Gov.uk website. Individuals could use this form to report missing payments by providing personal details such as their full name, date of birth, and National Insurance number. Typically, responses to such reports were processed within a two-week timeframe.
Future Payments and Additional Support
As of the latest updates, no further Cost of Living Payments are scheduled for 2024 beyond the £299 installment in February. The government has yet to announce additional payments under this initiative. However, Universal Credit benefit rates are set to increase by 6.7% starting in April 2024, providing some continued financial relief for eligible individuals.
