Exact dates £300 second DWP Autumn Cost of Living payment will be made is finally announced
Joanna Lovell
Associate EditorThe Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has finally announced the date that the latest Cost of Living payment will be landing in qualifying claimants bank accounts
The DWP finally announced when the autumn £300 Cost of Living will be made to millions of people in September, along with confirming who will receive their money first.
And we now also know when the third and final payment will be made.
The first payment was made to qualifying benefit claimants in April 2023, and was for £301. The second payment was made between The second payment was paid between 31 October and 19 November 2023 and the third will come between 6 February and 22 February 2024.
The money is designed to help people on low incomes with the rising costs of food, utilities and general day-to-day living.
- Chickenpox vaccine - YOUR questions answered
- We tried Primark's new cosmetics dupes
- £500 available for families in the run-up to Christmas
- Child maintenance 'crackdown' for parents who refuse to pay
Exact dates the money will be paid
Speaking ahead of the second payment, a DWP spokesperson said: 'Millions of households across the UK will receive £300 directly from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) between 31 October and 19 November.
Households who are eligible and receiving means-tested benefits, like Universal Credit, Pension Credit or tax credits, will receive the payment between 31 October and 19 November.
People who are only claiming tax credits and don’t qualify for a payment from the DWP will receive £300 from HMRC between 10 and 19 November.
Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: 'The best way we can boost bank balances is by bearing down on inflation, but as we get there, we are ensuring the most vulnerable households are cushioned from high prices with a further Cost of Living payment.
'Alongside this, thousands of Work Coaches across the country are helping find work, increase their hours and boost their skills. I encourage anyone who wants to progress their career and strengthen their finances to visit their local Jobcentre to find out what help is available.'
Who is eligible for Cost of Living cash?
You need to be on certain benefits in order to qualify for Cost of Living payments, but if you currently receive – or did during the qualifying period – any of the following benefits or tax credits you should get the cash:
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
With new people joining the benefits system since the first payment was made, it means more people will be eligible for the second Cost of Living payment.
How do I apply for a Cost of Living payment?
If you are eligible, you will be paid automatically and you do not need to apply for the payments.
It's particularly important to be aware of this, as there have been reports of Cost of Living and other DWP benefit text scams. The scams have encouraged people to click on a link and share personal information to 'apply' to Cost of Living and other payments and benefits.
What are Cost of Living payments?
The payments were first introduced by chancellor Jeremy Hunt in 2022 to ease the cost of living for low-income and struggling households and are given to people on certain benefits.
Initially, 2 payments were given to people on qualifying benefits, totalling £650. Then in November 2022, the DWP announced that £900 would be made available for struggling households for 2023/24 in 3 payments.
Do I have to pay the Cost of Living payment back?
No.
Cost of Living payments are 'no-strings attached' cash bonuses, that are tax free, do not have to paid back, and that will also not affect your other benefits or entitlements.
What's 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 during Autumn 2023 for people on means-tested benefits – See above dates
- £300 paid in November and December to pensioners who get Winter Fuel Payment
- £299 paid in February 2024
Get all the latest DWP money news and other cost of living help
Our Cost of Living hub has all the latest stories about benefits and entitlements, and up-to-date information from the DWP.
You will find lots of Government-based advice on cash you might be entitled to, plus all the dates 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
Financial changes still to come in September
