£299 Cost of Living Payment to be credited in April

On: Monday, April 14, 2025 7:15 AM

Inflation has increased Living Payment rapidly in the country in the last few years, due to which the cost of food items, electricity, water, rent and travel has increased significantly. Recently, some important steps have been taken by the UK government to provide financial relief to needy families. The most affected due to this are poor families, pensioners and those who depend on government assistance.

In view of these problems, the government has said that it will help by giving a total of 1350 pounds between 2023 and 2025, given directly in three installments to about 8 million families so that they can get some relief from the effects of inflation.

How and when were these payments given?

The government has split the total amount of £1,350 into three instalments to provide periodic support to those in need throughout the year:

Payment Amount	Payment Dates	Purpose
£301	25 April – 17 May 2023	Initial support for rising living costs
£300	31 March – 19 March 2023	Additional aid as inflation continued to rise
£299	6 March – 22 March 2025	Final installment to help with ongoing financial strain

The payment went to people who were already receiving benefits under some of the government’s special support schemes, such as:

Universal Credit
Pension Credit
Income Support
Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Beneficiaries of all these schemes did not need to apply. If you were eligible, the money was transferred straight to your bank account.

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What was the £299 instalment?

This final payment was the third part of a £900 ‘cost of living’ package being offered by the government. It was aimed at supporting people who were struggling to pay for everyday things, such as rent, food, electricity bills, and transport.

Have you not received the £299 amount yet?

If you haven’t seen this money in your account yet, don’t panic. You can check its status in a few simple ways: Check your eligibility – did you take any support scheme at the time? Check bank statements – check statements from March 2025 onwards to see if the payment has been made. Wait a bit – there can be technical or administrative delays at times.

1. Report online

Visit the official website of the UK government and file a complaint for “Missing Payment”. You will have to provide the following information:

Full name
Date of birth
National Insurance number
Address and other identifying information

2. Call the DWP helpline

If you do not want to do it online, then you can call the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) helpline and talk directly. Keep your necessary documents ready.

3. Wait for a response

The government usually responds within two weeks, but you can contact again if needed.
If you still need financial help?
Although the £299 installment was the last, the government has also started some more schemes:

1. Household Support Fund

This scheme has been extended till 2025 and its aim is to help in expenses like food, clothing, electricity and water. You can apply from your local council website.

2. Local Council Assistance Programmer

Some councils offer one-off support of up to £140 – for example, towards electricity bills.

£299 Cost of Living Payment 2024 to 2025 management information

3. Discretionary Housing Payment

If you can’t pay your rent and are on Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, this scheme could help you.
What the assistance scheme offers How to apply
Household Support Fund Cash help with essential expenses Local council website
Council Assistance One-off support Contact your council
Discretionary Housing Payment Help with paying rent Contact your council’s housing department

Conclusion:

People are facing a lot of difficulties due to inflation, but these government assistance schemes can be a big source of relief. If you haven’t received your £299 payment, check and lodge a complaint immediately. Also take advantage of other assistance schemes. Be informed, be proactive and take the help you can get.

FAQs

Q1: What is the £299 Cost of Living Payment?

The £299 Cost of Living Payment is a one-off financial support payment issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help eligible households manage rising living costs in the UK.

Q2: How will the payment appear in my bank statement?

It may show as “DWP COL” or a similar reference on your statement, depending on your bank and benefit type.

Q3: When was the £299 payment disbursed?

The payment was issued in early 2025, with most recipients receiving it via direct deposit to the same account where they normally receive benefits.

Q4: Do I need to apply for the £299 payment?

No application is necessary. If you were eligible during the qualifying dates, the payment should be made automatically by DWP or HMRC, depending on your benefit.

Q5: What should I do if I didn’t receive the payment?

Q5: What should I do if I didn’t receive the payment?
If you believe you’re eligible but haven’t received the payment, contact DWP or HMRC directly. You can also visit the Gov.uk cost of living support page for more information and claim support.