As living costs continue to rise across the UK, the government introduced a one-time £299 Cost of Living Payment to provide financial support to millions of low-income households. This payment was designed to help ease the burden on those receiving certain benefits during late 2023.
If you think you qualified for this payment but haven’t seen it in your bank account, don’t worry. This article will explain who qualifies, how to check if you received it, and what steps to take if you didn’t get your payment.
Who Was Eligible for the £299 Cost of Living Payment?
The £299 Cost of Living Payment was automatically paid to people receiving one or more of the following benefits during the period from 13 November to 12 December 2023:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
However, if your benefit amount was reduced to zero during this period (known as a ‘nil award’), you were not eligible to receive the payment. This could happen if your earnings or savings increased, affecting your benefit entitlement.
It’s important to note that you did not have to apply for this payment. It was automatically processed based on your benefit claim during the qualifying dates.
When and How Was the Payment Made?
The government paid the £299 Cost of Living Payment in February 2024 according to the following schedule:
- For Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) claimants, payments were made between 6 and 22 February 2024.
- For HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) tax credit recipients only, payments were made between 16 and 22 February 2024.
The payment appeared in bank statements as either:
- Your National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP COL’ (for DWP claimants)
- ‘HMRC COLS’ (for HMRC tax credits recipients)
The payment was tax-free and did not affect any other benefits or tax credits you receive.
How to Check If You Received Your Payment
If you receive any of the qualifying benefits, check your bank statement between early and late February 2024 for a payment of £299 with the references above.
If you haven’t received it by the end of February and believe you qualify, it’s essential to take action promptly.
What to Do If You Didn’t Receive the Payment but Think You Should Have
If you believe you were eligible for the £299 Cost of Living Payment but didn’t receive it, here’s what you should do depending on your circumstances:
For DWP Benefit Recipients:
- The Department for Work and Pensions has set up an online form where you can report missing payments.
- You will need to provide personal information including your full name, date of birth, address, and National Insurance number.
- The DWP aims to respond to queries within two weeks.
For HMRC Tax Credit Recipients:
- HMRC advises waiting until after 23 February 2024 to allow time for payments to clear.
- If you still have not received your payment by then, you should contact HMRC directly to inquire about your payment status.
Watch Out for Scams
Unfortunately, scammers often try to take advantage of government payments by sending fake emails, texts, or phone calls claiming you need to “apply” or “confirm” your bank details to receive the £299 payment.
Important: Neither the DWP nor HMRC will ever ask for personal details or bank information by phone, email, or text message.
No More Cost of Living Payments in 2025
The UK government has confirmed that the £299 payment was a one-time support measure and there will be no further Cost of Living Payments in 2025.
Instead, financial help will continue through local schemes such as the Household Support Fund (HSF), which is administered by local councils. The availability and amount of support vary depending on your location.
Final Thoughts
The £299 Cost of Living Payment provided much-needed help to millions during tough times. If you believe you qualified and have not yet received the payment, make sure to use the official government channels to report the issue quickly.
Always check your bank statements carefully during the payment period, and be alert to scams targeting vulnerable recipients.
