£299 Cost of Living Support 2025 in the UK.The cost of living crisis has significantly impacted millions of households across the UK, forcing many families to struggle with rising expenses related to energy, food, housing, and daily essentials.
To ease the financial burden faced by low-income families and benefit claimants, the UK government introduced several targeted Cost of Living Payments over recent years. The £299 Cost of Living Payment made in early 2025 was one of these vital support measures, designed specifically to help those on means-tested benefits manage the increasing costs of living.
As the government shifts toward more localized support schemes beyond national payments like the £299 cost of living boost, understanding who qualified for this payment, how the scheme worked, and when payments were made remains important for those seeking financial support in 2025.
This blog will provide a clear guide on the £299 Cost of Living Support scheme, including eligibility criteria, payment dates, and next steps for those who missed the payment.
£299 Cost of Living Support 2025 in the UK
| Payment Amount | £299 |
| Eligibility Period | Entitled to a qualifying benefit or tax credit on any day between 13 November 2023 and 12 December 2023 |
| Eligible Benefits | Universal Credit, Income-based JSA, Income-related ESA, Income Support, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit |
| Ineligible | Contributory ESA, New Style ESA, and New Style JSA only recipients |
| Payment Dates | Between 6 February and 22 February 2024 |
| Payment Method | Automatic payment through existing benefit payment channels |
| Application Required | No application needed; automatically paid to qualifying recipients |
| Reporting Missing Payment | Can report via the government online form if the payment is not received |
| Post-2025 Support | No further national payments planned; local council support available via Household Support Fund |
| Purpose | Help low-income households cope with rising living costs |
What is the £299 Cost of Living Support Payment?
The £299 Cost of Living Payment was part of a government scheme aimed at helping low-income families, pensioners, and benefit claimants cope with the rising cost of essentials such as energy, food, and rent. This was the third instalment after previous payments of £326, £324, £301, and £300 given in earlier years and months.
Eligibility Criteria for the £299 Payment DWP
To qualify for the £299 cost of living payment in 2025, you needed to be receiving or entitled to certain benefits or tax credits during a specific eligibility period. These included:
- Universal Credit (unless the award for the relevant month was reduced to £0)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit (claimants could backdate claims up to three months for eligibility)
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
More specifically, entitlement related to receiving one or more of these benefits or tax credits for any day within the assessment period of 13 November 2023 to 12 December 2023 qualified for the £299 payment.
Note that claimants getting only contributory ESA or New Style JSA or New Style ESA were not eligible for this payment.
If your benefit entitlement was between 1 penny and 9 pence, you were still eligible. It was paid automatically; no claim was necessary.
Payment Dates for the £299 Cost of Living Support
Most eligible recipients received their £299 payment between 6 February and 22 February 2024. If you were receiving tax credits only, the payment window was slightly different, from 16 February to 22 February 2024.
Payments were made through the same method beneficiaries usually receive their benefits (e.g., bank transfer to the account linked to Universal Credit or tax credits).
If you qualified but did not receive the payment, you could report this via a government online form for missing cost of living payments.
What Happens After 2025?
As of October 2025, the government has not announced any new national cost of living payment schemes beyond the previous rounds. Instead, support is now more targeted and sometimes managed locally through council schemes or other welfare benefits.
Some councils have introduced local payments (e.g., around £200) independently through funding like the Household Support Fund, but these are not nationally uniform or automatic.
This £299 payment was a crucial lifeline for many struggling households in 2025, providing timely financial relief to those on qualifying benefits and tax credits during the specified assessment period.
For the most accurate and individualized information, checking government resources or consulting benefits advisors can help clarify eligibility and payment status.
FAQs for £299 Cost of Living Support 2025 in the UK
It’s a government payment of £299 to help low-income households with living costs in early 2025.
Those receiving Universal Credit, income-based JSA or ESA, Income Support, Pension Credit, or tax credits between 13 Nov 2023 and 12 Dec 2023.
Payments were made automatically between 6 and 22 February 2024.
No, the payment was made automatically to qualifying recipients.
You can report missing payments using the government’s online form to claim what you’re owed.