The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the exact dates for the third and final cost of living payment of £299. Eligible claimants will receive the payment automatically between February 6 and February 22, 2024.
To qualify, individuals must have been entitled to a payment for a qualifying benefit between November 13 and December 12, 2023. For Universal Credit claimants, eligibility is based on an assessment period ending within these dates. The payment is part of the £900 support package announced by the Government, with previous instalments of £301 and £300 already distributed.
Around eight million people are expected to receive this final payment. The DWP and HMRC urge recipients to be cautious of scammers, as no application is required. The payment will appear in bank accounts with the reference: National Insurance Number followed by DWP COL, or HMRC COLS for tax credit claimants.
HMRC confirmed that those receiving Tax Credits only will be paid between February 16 and February 22. If eligible individuals do not receive the payment, they can report it to GOV.UK from February 23, 2024.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride stated: “We’ve delivered on our promise to halve inflation, putting money back in people’s pockets, while also providing millions of households with unprecedented financial support to ease cost of living pressures.”
