The 3 key dates you need to know for the DWP £300 autumn Cost of Living payment

The next DWP Cost of Living payment will start being paid out later this month. See who gets paid first and when your money will land

After what felt like weeks of speculation, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) finally announced in September the exact dates the next Cost of Living payment will be made.

It's the second of 3 payments which are designed to help with the ongoing cost of living crisis.

And the DWP has now issued 3 key dates to be aware of if you're set to receive the money.

• Martin Lewis's tip to freeze your debts for 60 days
• Exact dates households get £150 energy help
• Millions to get extra £150 this winter
• HMRC error sees mums owed £5k
• DWP statement on 'second' £150 payment
• Child maintenance 'crackdown' against families who refuse to pay
• 5 DWP payments hitting accounts before Christmas

When will you receive the £300 Cost of Living payment?

The next Cost of Living instalment – which is for £300 – will start being paid this month. And it's set to be a huge help to millions of households who are struggling financially and face higher energy bills as the winter approaches.

It comes after the first payment was made in spring 2023. The third and final payment will be made in spring 2024.

The benefits you receive will determine your pay dates. Here are the 3 key dates you need to make a note of for the £300 Cost of Living payment.

Tuesday, 31 October

This is the start date for the payment to go into accounts if you are on any of 5 DWP benefits: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), or Income Support.

Just look for the reference DWP COL in the credit section of your bank account.

It means those on the above means-tested benefits get paid first.

Thursday, 9 November

This is the start date for the payment to go into accounts if you are receiving Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits from HMRC.

Just look for the reference HMRC COLS in the credit section of your bank account.

Sunday, 19 November

This is the final date of payments for those on DWP benefits and HMRC tax credits.

So you should have had the cash by this point if you are eligible.

As this is a Sunday, it's likely all being well this will appear in your account by Friday, 17 November. But you may have to wait until after Sunday if the payment has not arrived.

Am I eligible?

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

If you currently receive – or did during the qualifying period – any of the following benefits or tax credits, you should get the payment:

• 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

What is the qualifying period for the autumn payment?

To be eligible for the Cost of Living Payment from the DWP, you need to have been entitled to a payment for a qualifying benefit between 18 August 2023 and 17 September 2023, or payment for an assessment period, ending between these dates.

From HMRC, you need to have received a payment of tax credits for any day in the period between 18 August 2023 and 17 September 2023.

Do I need to apply for the second payment?

No.

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

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, however these payments do NOT need to be applied for.

See more here about everything you need to know about the second cost of living payment.

7 in 10 people worried about money

It comes as research carried out by Nationwide Building Society shows rising numbers of families are panicked about money struggles with nearly 7 in 10 worried the won't be able to cover the cost of essentials.

The costs of food, rent, energy, clothing, dental treatment and car repairs are among the regular issues raised.

'No money left at the end of the month'

A third of those surveyed in the latest research said they are left with just £100 or less in their account at the end of each month. And shockingly just under 1 in every 10 said they have no money left over at all.

Many have said they are relying on additional financial support including the upcoming £300 cost of living payment.

Mark Nalder, payments strategy and performance director at Nationwide Building Society, said: 'As we enter the autumn, households will hope for some respite before the return of colder weather and the need to heat homes once again.

'While energy costs have dipped from their peak last year, the return of high utility bills will not be a welcome sight for many. Just as we saw last year, we expect many to cut back into their discretionary spending in order to manage their budgets.'

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, to help save you money and make life that little bit less stressful with brilliant ideas on how to reduce your weekly shop, to even saving for a much-needed holiday.

Related stories

Every Cost of Living payment to come before Christmas

CHAT: Tips, advice and help on how to access benefits during the Cost of Living Crisis

DWP confirms who is NOT eligible for £300

£10 Primark teddy bag that's perfect for winter