Am I eligible for the second £300 DWP Cost of Living payment in October 2023?

The next instalment of the £900 Government handout will be paid from October 2023, and it's very easy to check your eligibility for the cash

The DWP has announced the exact dates the second £300 Cost of Living payment will be made.

The Government cash is part of a £900 benefit package for low-income families.

It is designed to help relieve some of the burden of the cost of living crisis, the payment is being made in 3 instalments.

The first payment for 2023 has already been made, with those eligible receiving a £301 boost back in April.

The second payment of £300 will arrive in claimants' bank accounts between 31 October and 19 November 2023.

The 3rd payment, which stands at £299, is due in spring 2024 and will be automatically transferred to those who qualify for it.

• DWP announce EXACT dates for £300 autumn cost of living payment
• How to apply for the next COL payment
• FREE driving lessons for Universal Credit claimants
• Are you eligible for a payout from the Household Support Fund?

So just how do you get these payments, and what is the eligibility criteria?

The full cost of living payment schedule for 2023

• £301 paid between April 25 and May 17 for most people on DWP means-tested benefits. Qualifying period was January 26 to February 25.
• £301 paid between May 2 and 9 for most people on HMRC tax credits and no other means-tested benefits. Qualifying period was January 26 to February 25.
• £150 paid between June 20 and July 4 for people on disability benefits. Qualifying date was April 1.
• £300 paid between between 31 October and 19 November 2023
• £300 paid in November and December to pensioners who get Winter Fuel Payment
• £299 paid during Spring 2024 for people on means-tested benefits – no exact dates yet announced
  

What is the qualifying period for the second payment?

You need to have been entitled to a payment for a qualifying benefit between 18 August and 17 September 2023 to be eligible for this second payment.

This is the same for both DWP and HMRC benefit claimants.

The money will be sent out automatically and directly to recipients, meaning those eligible do not need to apply or take any action to receive it.

It will be paid into the bank account where you normally receive your benefits, and the payment reference will be your National Insurance Number followed by "DWP COL" or "HMRC COLSD".

Ready for your #UniversalCredit switchover?

Find out more https://t.co/Y0eNDEV6Gc pic.twitter.com/bgfDZrknTa

— Department for Work and Pensions (@DWPgovuk) August 11, 2023

Who is eligible for the Cost of Living payments?

You have to be receiving certain benefits to qualify for the Cost of Living payments, and unfortunately, not all all of them count.

Those that could currently entitle you to Cost of Living Payments are:

• Universal Credit
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit

It's worth noting that with certain benefits and entitlements, where your money comes from will vary.

• If you get Tax Credits from HMRC and also a low-income benefit from DWP, you will be paid by DWP only.
• If you are getting both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit, you will receive the £300 for Child Tax Credit only, which will be paid by HMRC.

Which benefits do not entitle claimants to a CoL payment?

If the only benefits and entitlements you receive from the DWP are on this list, you will not be eligible for the cost of living payments:

• New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Contributory ESA
• New Style Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

What is the total Cost of Living handout worth?

For 2023/4, those who qualify for the Cost of Living cash will be getting 3 separate payments.

These will be transferred automatically in to their bank accounts, and will total £900 overall.

The payments break down to the following amounts:

• £301 – paid out earlier in 2023
• £300 – to be paid between 31 October and 19 November 2023
• £299 – expected spring 2024

Childcare costs are one of the main reasons keeping parents from returning to work.

That’s why we announced reforms to childcare at the Budget.

Chancellor @Jeremy_Hunt & Chief Executive of @UKHofficial @UKHospKate set out how those changes will help parents & grow the economy. pic.twitter.com/gNJ6de0CTm

— HM Treasury (@hmtreasury) August 11, 2023

How can I check my eligibility for Cost of Living payments online?

It's really easy to check whether you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to by using a Government-approved online tool that works for all Government payouts, not just the Cost of Living cash.

What's more, if you are on a low income, your circumstances have recently changed, or if you are struggling, it's always a good idea to do a quick audit to make sure you are getting all the Government help you should be.

There is a page on the Gov.uk website that enables you to work out what benefits or allowances you might be able to claim by putting your current financial info into a 3rd party calculator.

This then works out what you could be able to apply for.

How do I apply for the Cost of Living payments?

As the Cost of Living payments are dependent on you getting certain benefits you do not need to physically 'apply' for them.

If you are receiving 1 of the qualifying benefits, your claim will be automatically put through.

It's also worth noting that your existing benefits will not be affected by the Cost of Living payments, and you will not be expected to pay them back, or endure any sanctions for accepting them.

How to get other help during the Cost of Living Crisis

Check out our Cost of Living hub for all the latest stories about benefits and entitlements, and up to date announcements from the DWP.

You will find lots of Government-based advice on cash you might be entitled to, plus all the dates for when you can expect the latest Cost of Living payments and other allowances to land in your bank account.

There are also top tips from the Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis, as well as brilliant ideas for saving money on everything from your weekly shop, to that well-deserved holiday.

Related stories

Shoppers urged to check their store loyalty card to avoid missing out on their rewards

CHAT: talk all things money and budgeting on our forums

What is the DWP Christmas bonus?