DWP issues third Cost of Living payment dates update
Amber Middleton
Content writerThe DWP has made an announcement on when we can expect the third Cost of Living payment worth £299
The DWP has issued an update about the dates the third cost of living payment will be made – and it's sooner than expected.
The announcement concerns the third of 3 payments being made to low-income households.
The first Cost of Living payment for £301 was made earlier this year, the second, for £300, due is to be made between between 31 October and 19 November, and the third, for £299 is due next spring.
This takes the total package to £900 for eligible low-income households.
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Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, announced the £900 payment in his 2022 autumn statement.
Until the latest announcement, no firm dates had been released for the spring 2024 payment, with the DWP paying the payment would arrive during 'spring 2024' – meaning the payments would be issued from 21 March.
However, the DWP has now said the third payment will land in recipients' accounts 'by spring 2024 for most people'.
This will mean most people will have received the benefit by 21 March – which is when spring begins.
It means the payment is likely to be earlier than expected.
Will I be eligible for the third payment?
You can get the payment if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
You will need to be entitled to a payment from 1 or more of the above benefits during the qualifying period which refers to specific dates when claimants were in receipt of a qualifying benefit.
The qualifying period for the third £299 payment has not yet been announced but the period is usually a couple of months before the grant is paid.
For example, the second payment of £300 will be issued between 31 October and 19 November 2023. The qualifying dates for this payment were between 18 August and 17 September 2023.
Do I need to apply?
There's no need to apply for any of the Cost of Living payments as they are made automatically to those who are eligible.
You will receive the payment the same way you receive your benefits.
What's the full cost of living payment schedule for 2023?
The next cost of living payment is £300 which will be paid into accounts between 31 October 31 and 19 November 2023, for most eligible people.
The full cost of living payment schedule for 2023/2024 is as follows:
- £301 was paid between April 25 and May 17 for most people on DWP means-tested benefits
- £300 will be paid during autumn 2023 – between 31 October and 19 November for people on means-tested benefits
- £300 paid in November and December to pensioners who get Winter Fuel Payment
- £299 paid by spring 2024 for people on means-tested benefits – no exact dates yet announced
Will there be more payments after spring?
The DWP is currently in talks about whether to issue further payments for the year 2024/25.
Guy Opperman, Minister for Employment at the DWP, said we should expect an announcement in the Autumn Statement on 22 November, 2023.
What are Cost of Living payments?
These are payments paid out by the DWP to low-income families to help with living costs.
As well as the current 2023/24 £900 payment, the DWP paid out two payments in 2022 worth £650.
Some people were also eligible for a £150 Disability Cost of Living payment, paid between 20 June and 4 July, to help with care and mobility costs.
What other help is there for struggling families?
Many low-income families are eligible for the Household Support Fund – a sum of money given to local councils who share this with residents who need it most.
Some councils have provided families with cash payments, others used the money to give out free school meals during school holiday.
See what's available in different areas of the country here or contact your local council for further details.
Cost of Living advice
See the Netmums Cost of Living hub which has all the latest stories about benefits and entitlements, and up-to-date information from the DWP.
You can find Government-based advice on cash you might be entitled to and the latest dates of when you can expect the latest payments 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.
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