The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued crucial guidance for millions of households across the UK, confirming exactly who will qualify for the final £299 Cost of Living Payment and when the vital support will land in bank accounts.
Who is Eligible for the Payment?
This significant payment is designed to help those most vulnerable to rising living costs. You qualify if you were entitled to a payment for one of the following qualifying benefits between 13 November 2023 and 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
Key Payment Dates You Need to Know
The DWP has announced that the vast majority of eligible claimants will receive the £299 payment between Tuesday, 6 February 2024 and Thursday, 22 February 2024. The payment reference will appear on your bank statement as 'DWP COL' followed by your National Insurance number, making it easy to identify.
For those who claim Tax Credits and no other means-tested benefits from DWP, the payment window is slightly later, running from 16 February 2024 to 22 February 2024. This is to prevent any duplicate payments.
What to Do If You Think You've Missed a Payment
If you believe you meet the criteria but haven't received your payment by the 23rd of February, the DWP advises not to contact them immediately. A dedicated reporting service will be opened on Monday, 26 February 2024 on the GOV.UK website where you can formally report a missing payment.
This final instalment concludes the government's current series of Cost of Living Payments, which have provided essential support to low-income families, pensioners, and disabled individuals throughout the financial year.
