What to do if you haven't received your £299 DWP Cost of Living payment yet

Around seven million people are still waiting for the government payment, which forms the third and final part of a £900 package – here's what to do if you're yet to be paid yours

It's almost a week now since the DWP began paying out the final Cost of Living payment.

One million people were paid their third and final payment on the first day on Tuesday (6 February 2024), with millions more paid since.

In total, eight million people are eligible for the government payout – that forms part of a £900 total package for low-income households in the financial year 2023-2024.

And, with one million people still to get it, if you're due a payment and haven't yet received it, then there may be a valid reason why it's not in your bank account just yet.

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What are Cost of Living payments?

The government's Cost of Living payments are cash grants given to families on low incomes to help them pay for essential living costs, including rising bills and the food shop.

The payments are given to anyone who claims certain eligible benefits including Universal Credit and tax credits.

Why haven't I got my Cost of Living payment yet?

The government has said that for most people, the third Cost of Living payment will be made between 6 February and 22 February 2024.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) issued 1.6 million payments on the first day of the Cost of Living payment window, totalling around £500 million worth of help.

But the DWP is not the only government department responsible for making the payment.

HMRC also issues Cost of Living payments to anyone who claims Tax Credits, such as Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.

Its payment window is slightly different and HMRC claimants – that's anyone who gets Tax Credits and no other low-income benefits – will get their Cost of Living payments between 16 February and 22 February instead.

Families who claim both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit will also get their £299 within those dates, as the payment will be made by HMRC.

But, if you receive Tax Credits from HMRC and also get a low-income benefit from DWP, you'll be paid by DWP only, which means you'll get the £299 cash boost between 6 February and 22 February.

However, some families could miss out on the payment altogether, even if claiming the eligible benefits, says the DWP.

There are three reasons why you may miss out on a payment:

1. If you missed the qualifying period
2. If your benefit is reduced to a nil award, or £0, during the qualifying period
3. If your Tax Credits entitlement for the tax year is below £26

What should I do if I haven't got my Cost of Living payment yet?

Don't worry, yet. Seven million people are yet to be paid the government payment, which means that many more people could still get their payment within the coming days and weeks.

If you're yet to receive yours, you'll have to wait until 23 February 2024 until you're able to report it. You can then do this online here.

Who is eligible for the payments?

Households who are eligible for the £299 payment will need to have been claiming (or later found to be eligible for) a benefit payment during what's known as a qualifying period – in this case it was between 13 November 2023 and 12 December 2023.

To get the payment, you will need to be claiming one of the following benefits during the above period.

If claiming Universal Credit, you may also get the payment if your assessment period ended during the qualifying period.

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

When were Cost of Living payments introduced?

Cost of Living payements were introduced in 2022, when two payments worth a total of £650 were given out in July and November.

A second group of payments was then announced in November 2022 to cover the financial year 2023-2024, worth £900 in 3 separate handouts.

The first of these was given out in April 2023, the second was paid between 31 October and 19 November 2023.

Those who are eligible for the third government payment will get it between 6 February and 22 February 2024.

More financial advice for families

Anyone who isn't eligible for the Cost of Living payments, but is still struggling with household bills could get help through the Household Support Fund – an £842 million fund given to local councils to support low-income families in their area.

How councils allocate this money and who is eligible varies from council to council, but it could see you getting supermarket vouchers towards the food bill, cash grants and even air fryers and slow cookers in some situations.

You'll find plenty more help and advice on all things money and Cost of Living on the Netmums website.

And find out what you're entitled to – and how to claim – plus learn more about your rights as a parent with our handy guides to family benefits and entitlements.

Plus, discover Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis's top tips on everything from switching bank accounts, energy bills, unmissable deals and more.

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