£299 Cost of Living DWP Payment: This payment is part of a broader £900 support package, automatically deposited into eligible recipients’ bank accounts between 6 April and 22 April 2025. However, some individuals have found themselves without the expected funds, sparking concerns. If you’re unsure about your eligibility or why your payment hasn’t arrived, this comprehensive guide will provide all the answers.The £299 Cost of Living Payment is the final part of the £900 financial aid package aimed at assisting households most affected by economic hardship. The structure of the payments is as follows:
Breakdown for £299 Cost of Living Payment
| Payment Installment | Amount | Payment Date Range |
| First Payment | £301 | Spring 2025 |
| Second Payment | £300 | Autumn 2025 |
| Final Payment | £299 | April 2025 |
This support is designed to ease financial strain during the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
Who Was Eligible for the £299 Payment?
To qualify for the £299 Cost of Living Payment, individuals needed to have been receiving one or more of the following means-tested benefits between 13 November and 12 December 2025:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
If you were receiving any of these benefits without interruption during the eligibility period, the payment should have been transferred to your bank account automatically.
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Who Was Not Eligible for the £299 Payment?
Not everyone qualified for the £299 payment. Certain individuals were excluded, including those whose only source of income was the following non-means-tested benefits:
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Contribution-based ESA
- New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Since these benefits are not designed to specifically support low-income individuals, recipients of these benefits were not eligible for the £299 payment.
How Was the £299 Payment Distributed?
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) were responsible for processing the payments. Depending on which body managed your benefits, the transaction would appear on your bank statement as:
- DWP COL for benefits managed by the DWP
- HMRC COLS for benefits managed by HMRC
There was no need for an application; the payment was automatically sent to eligible individuals based on the details already provided through their benefits.
What Do If You Didn’t Receive the Payment
If you were expecting the £299 Cost of Living Payment but haven’t received it, here are the steps you should take:
- Check Your Bank Transactions: Look for a deposit labeled “DWP COL” or “HMRC COLS” between 6 and 22 April 2025.
- Verify Your Eligibility: Ensure you were receiving a qualifying benefit during the eligibility period (13 November to 12 December 2024).
- Report a Missing Payment: Visit GOV.UK to submit a form if you believe you should have received the payment.
- Contact Your Benefit Provider: If in doubt, reach out to DWP or HMRC to clarify your eligibility and confirm payment details.
Late Eligibility and Backdated Claims
If you applied for Pension Credit after the eligibility period (but before 5 March 2025), you may still qualify for the £299 payment, provided your claim was backdated to cover the relevant dates. Here’s what you should do:
- Submit Your Pension Credit Claim: Make sure your claim was submitted on time.
- Confirm Backdating: Contact DWP to confirm if your claim has been backdated to cover the eligibility period.
- Request Missing Payment: If your claim was backdated but you haven’t received the payment, you can submit a request for the missing funds.
Common Reasons for Delayed or Missing Payments
Several factors can contribute to delayed or missing payments, including:
- Incorrect Bank Account Details: If your bank account information is outdated or incorrect, your payment might not have been processed.
- High Transaction Volumes: A large number of payments being processed at once may lead to delays.
- Unresolved Benefit Claims: If there were issues with your benefit claim during the eligibility period, you may not have received the payment.
- Fraud Prevention Checks: Payments can be temporarily held up due to additional security checks.
If any of these apply to you, reach out to DWP or HMRC for assistance.
Protect Yourself from Scams
Scammers often take advantage of government support initiatives. To avoid falling victim to fraud, remember the following:
- Never share personal information over the phone, email, or text, especially if unsolicited.
- Verify communication through official GOV.UK channels if you receive suspicious messages.
- Ignore suspicious links or requests for sensitive information claiming to be from government agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to apply for the £299 Cost of Living Payment?
No, the payment was automatically issued to eligible recipients based on existing benefit records.
Can I still receive the payment if I missed the eligibility period?
Only if you applied for Pension Credit before 5 March 2024 and your claim was backdated.
How can I check if my payment was issued?
Review your bank statements for a deposit labeled “DWP COL” or “HMRC COLS” between 6 and 22 April 2025.
What should I do if I think I should have received the payment but haven’t?
Verify your eligibility, check your bank transactions, and if necessary, report the missing payment through GOV.UK.