Eligible households will soon receive the next set of cost-of-living payments totalling up to £900 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The first payment of just over £300 is due between April 25 and May 17.  

The payments will be made to those eligible. Benefit recipients who will qualify for the upcoming cost-of-living payment also include those who receive income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, income support, working tax credit and child tax credit.

To be eligible for the new £301 cost-of-living payment, you must have been entitled to a payment of a qualifying benefit within a certain timeframe:

• Your Universal Credit assessment period ended between January 26 2023 and February 25 2023 that resulted in an entitlement to money;
• For other DWP means-tested benefits, people generally should have received a payment between January 26 and February 25 2023 to qualify for the £301 cost-of-living payment.

How can I claim the payment?

The payments will be sent automatically and directly into your bank account. It will include a reference of their national insurance number followed by “DWP COL”.

If you are entitled to receive the payment, you do not need to do anything.

Payments will be staggered between April 25 and May 17. 

Please be aware of scams which may use cost-of-living payments as an opportunity to try and trick people into handing over their banking details or money, by purporting to represent government organisations. You will not need to respond to an email, text or other message instructing you to apply.

More information about cost-of-living payments is available here.