Cost of Living Payments 2023/24

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the payment window for the first part of the £900 means-tested cost of living support will open next month. More than eight million households across Great Britain will receive £301 directly into their bank account from the DWP between Tuesday, April 25 and Wednesday, May 17.

The £301 payment will be sent out automatically to the account used by claimants for their qualifying benefit, which means nobody needs to apply for the financial support. Payments will appear on accounts as ‘DWP COLP’, along with the claimant’s National Insurance number.

To be eligible for the £301 cost of living payment, you need to have been entitled to a payment for one of the qualifying benefits listed below between January 26, 2023 and February 25, 2023, or payment for an assessment period ending between these dates.

Qualifying benefits for £301 payment
This will be paid to eligible households receiving the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit - will be paid by HMRC if no other DWP means-tested benefit is also claimed
  Child Tax Credit - paid by HMRC if no other DWP means-tested benefit is also claimed

This payment will be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap, and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards.