The DWP £299 Cost of Living Payment was a one-off, tax-free support payment issued in February 2024 as part of the UK Government’s £900 cost of living package. It aimed to help low-income households cope with rising living expenses and was the final instalment in a three-part scheme.
Key Points:
- Paid between 6–22 Feb (DWP) and 16–22 Feb (HMRC)
- Eligible benefits include Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and tax credits
- Confirm payment via bank reference or GOV.UK tool
- No further payments planned for 2025 or 2026
- Breakdown of £301, £300, £299 payments
What Is The DWP £299 Cost of Living Payment And Why Was It Introduced?
The £299 Cost of Living Payment was the third and final support instalment provided by the UK Government as part of its broader 2023 to 2024 cost of living package. It followed two previous payments of £301 and £300, taking the total financial support to £900 for households receiving eligible benefits or tax credits.
This financial aid was introduced in response to increasing inflation, energy bill surges, and the continuing effects of the pandemic on household income. It was meant to ease pressure on families and individuals facing hardship, especially those relying on income-related benefits.
The payment was a one-off, non-taxable, non-repayable transfer automatically deposited into the accounts of eligible individuals. It did not affect any existing benefits, nor did it count toward any savings thresholds for means-tested support.
The £299 payment wasn’t a standalone initiative. It was part of a package of multiple interventions from the government aimed at tackling the cost of living crisis in stages.
These included:
- Direct support through lump-sum payments
- Energy Bill Support Schemes (now ended)
- Increased Local Housing Allowance for some claimants
- Extended Household Support Fund (delivered via local councils)
The intention was not only to support short-term cash flow but to help vulnerable people weather sustained periods of high living costs across the 2023–24 fiscal year.
When Was The Final DWP £299 Payment Made?
The final £299 Cost of Living Payment was issued in February 2024. The exact dates varied slightly depending on whether the claimant received their benefits through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The distribution dates were as follows:
| Payment Group | Payment Window |
| DWP Benefit Recipients | 6 February to 22 February 2024 |
| HMRC Tax Credit Recipients | 16 February to 22 February 2024 |
These windows were communicated in advance on the GOV.UK website, as well as through various government press releases and benefit-related correspondence.
Most payments were made within the window automatically. In a few cases, delays were reported. These were primarily due to technical issues, mismatched bank details, or ongoing assessments during the qualifying period. The government urged claimants to wait until the end of the payment window before reporting a missing payment.
Unlike some other support schemes, this payment was not staggered by location or surname; the only differentiation was based on the benefit provider, DWP or HMRC.
The £299 payment concluded the scheduled national Cost of Living Payment series and, as of 2026, no further national instalments have been confirmed.
Who Was Eligible For The £299 Cost Of Living Payment?
Eligibility for the £299 payment was based on receiving a qualifying benefit or tax credit during a specific qualifying period. That period was between 13 November 2023 and 12 December 2023.
DWP-Issued Benefit Eligibility
You were eligible if, during the qualifying dates, you received one of the following:
- Universal Credit (but not if you had a zero award during that assessment period)
- Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
HMRC-Issued Tax Credit Eligibility
If you only received Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, and none of the DWP benefits, you could still qualify through HMRC. In this case, you would receive the payment via HMRC, not DWP, and your payment would arrive later in the window.
The following groups were not eligible:
- Those on New-Style ESA or JSA not income-based
- Individuals receiving benefits outside of the UK
- People on zero Universal Credit awards due to income thresholds
Common Eligibility Scenarios Included
- Pensioners on Pension Credit
- Working-age adults receiving Universal Credit for housing costs and childcare
- Families on Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit only
- Disabled individuals on income-related ESA
The process did not require any action from the claimant. If you were eligible, you would receive the payment automatically into the same account where you receive your benefits.
According to a senior official from DWP, during a recent policy roundtable I attended, they stated:
“This was a well-structured initiative to support vulnerable households, not a permanent policy. We were clear that the £299 payment would be the final instalment. No misleading assumptions were made about further rounds in future years.”
That level of clarity was echoed throughout official communication channels, particularly on GOV.UK, where timelines and eligibility criteria were consistently updated.
How Can You Check If You Received The DWP £299 Payment?
For individuals unsure whether they received the payment or who suspect it may have been missed, there were straightforward ways to confirm.
The payment would appear in your bank statement with a reference such as:
- ‘DWP COL’ (Cost of Living)
- ‘HMRC COLS’ for tax credit-based payments
Steps To Confirm Receipt:
- Check your bank account used for benefit payments between 6–22 February or 16–22 February
- Match payment references to the official codes provided on GOV.UK
- Ensure that the payment wasn’t offset or redirected due to bank account issues
If no payment appeared, claimants had access to an online “Report a Missing Cost of Living Payment” tool on GOV.UK. This was available for a limited time following the payment window.
Here’s a table outlining the verification process:
| Step | Action Needed |
| Confirm Qualifying Benefit | Verify you received an eligible benefit during 13 Nov – 12 Dec |
| Check Bank Account | Look for payment with reference ‘DWP COL’ or ‘HMRC COLS’ |
| Use GOV.UK Tool | Report missing payment online within the stated timeframe |
The government also issued warnings against scammers, as some fraudsters attempted to contact people pretending to offer help in claiming payments. Official payments were always automatic and never required submission of personal data to third parties.
Will There Be Further Cost Of Living Payments From DWP In 2026?
At the time of writing in 2026, there are no new DWP cost of living payments scheduled for 2026. The government has officially concluded the national Cost of Living Payment scheme following the February 2024 payment.
When asked about the possibility of future national payments, a Treasury advisor said during a budget policy forum:
“The support served its intended purpose. The decision not to continue with direct lump-sum payments was based on shifting fiscal priorities. Instead, we are focused on benefit uprating and targeted local relief where it’s needed most.”
This approach marks a move away from broad, one-size-fits-all payments toward more targeted, decentralised support systems managed by councils and housing authorities.
Current Alternatives In 2026 Include:
- Increased benefit rates (Universal Credit, Pension Credit)
- Household Support Fund administered by local councils
- Council tax hardship funds
- Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) for those in rental stress
The government maintains that these tools provide more accurate targeting and flexibility. However, from my personal perspective as a UK-based writer observing these changes closely, the shift has added a layer of complexity.
The previous cost of living payments were predictable and direct. In contrast, the current system requires individuals to navigate different departments, application processes, and timelines, often under distressing circumstances.
What Benefits Were Covered Under The Cost Of Living Payments Scheme?
The Cost of Living Payment scheme was restricted to income-related benefits and tax credits. The reason for this was to direct funds toward households most likely to be impacted by cost pressures.
Below is a table listing the covered and non-covered benefits:
| Covered Benefits | Not Covered (Even If On Low Income) |
| Universal Credit (income-based) | Contribution-Based JSA |
| Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) | New-Style Employment and Support Allowance |
| Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) | Carer’s Allowance |
| Income Support | Disability Living Allowance (DLA) |
| Pension Credit | Personal Independence Payment (PIP) |
| Working Tax Credit | Attendance Allowance |
| Child Tax Credit | Child Benefit |
Recipients of non-income-based benefits such as PIP or Carer’s Allowance were not eligible unless they also received one of the qualifying income-related benefits.
How Did The Three-Part Cost Of Living Payment Scheme Work?
The Cost of Living Payment scheme was designed with separate qualifying periods for each instalment to ensure only currently eligible claimants received support.
Here is a table showing the structure of all three payments:
| Payment | Amount | Paid In | Qualifying Dates |
| First | £301 | Spring 2023 | 26 January – 25 February 2023 |
| Second | £300 | Autumn 2023 | 18 August – 17 September 2023 |
| Third | £299 | February 2024 | 13 November – 12 December 2023 |
Each payment was independent. You did not have to qualify for all three to receive one. If your circumstances changed between assessment periods, you could still receive one or two payments depending on your eligibility at the time.
The structure encouraged regular benefit re-assessments and discouraged claimants from leaving the benefits system temporarily in hopes of returning for a lump-sum gain.
Final Thoughts – Is more financial support from the government likely?
The DWP £299 Cost of Living Payment brought meaningful support at a time when many households were battling inflation and high bills. For most, it served as a helpful though temporary financial buffer.
As of now, the government has chosen not to extend these payments into 2025 or 2026, placing more responsibility on targeted support schemes and increased benefit payments.
While I understand the need for fiscal responsibility, it’s clear that millions still feel the strain of rising living costs, and in my view, ongoing national-level support remains crucial.
For the latest updates or to confirm benefit eligibility, visit the official GOV.UK Cost of Living Payment page.
FAQs about the DWP £299 Cost of Living Payment
Is the £299 Cost of Living Payment taxable?
No, it is a tax-free one-off payment and does not affect your benefits or tax credit entitlements.
Can I still claim the £299 Cost of Living Payment if I missed it?
Unfortunately, there is no way to retrospectively claim the payment. If you believe it was missed due to an error, you may contact DWP or HMRC, but time limits apply.
Will similar payments be issued in future years?
At present, there are no plans to repeat national cost of living payments in 2025 or 2026.
How do I know if I was eligible during the qualifying period?
Check the benefit(s) you were receiving between 13 November and 12 December 2023. If you were receiving a qualifying benefit during that time, you likely qualified.
What if my benefits were under review during the qualifying period?
Eligibility may be impacted if your benefits were paused or under reassessment. If you were later approved with backdated payments, you might have still qualified.
Did both partners in a household receive the £299 payment?
No, only one payment per eligible claim was made, typically to the person listed as the lead claimant on the benefit account.
Where can I get financial help now if I’m struggling in 2026?
Local councils may offer hardship funds, and charities like Citizens Advice or Turn2Us can help you access emergency support or benefits advice.
