DWP will confirm the exact date for the next £299 living expenses payment
- Eight million households will receive final cost of living payments in 2024
- The payment should have been made in the spring, but is now being received early
- So, when is the payment due and are you eligible? Here's what you need to know
Around eight million people will receive their final £299 cost of living payment in the new year.
The final tranche of the £900 Government Living Support Grant will be paid to eligible applicants by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Households receiving eligible benefits such as Universal Credit and income support are eligible for the payment.
So, when is the payment due and are you eligible? Here's what you need to know.
Final payment: About eight million people will receive the final payment for living expenses in 2024
When will the next living expenses be paid?
The £299 living expenses payment will be paid between February 6 and 22, 2024, despite initially being earmarked for spring next year.
If you do not receive it, but think you should have received it, you can report it as missing from February 23.
People are warned to be alert to scam messages, especially during the relevant period, regarding the supposed cost of living.
Who gets the cost of living?
If you receive any of the following, you may be entitled to the free money:
- Universal credit
- Income-related benefit for job seekers
- Income-related employment and support benefit
- Income support
- Working tax credit
- Child tax credit
- Pension credit
The DWP is also encouraging low-income pensioners who are not yet receiving Pension Credit to check their eligibility, as they may still be eligible for February living expenses payments.
How do I receive payments?
Payments are sent automatically, directly to recipients' bank accounts, with a reference of their national insurance number followed by 'DWP COL'.
For example, if your citizen service number is JT 83 42 97B, your payment will be visible under the reference 'DWP COLP JT 83 42 97B' on your statement.
Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: 'We will always protect the most vulnerable, while ensuring fairness for the taxpayer.'
If you think you are entitled to a payment for living expenses but are not receiving it, you can do so Report this on the government website.