When will UK households receive £301 cost of living payment and who is eligible?

More than eight million households across the UK will start receiving a £301 cost of living support payment from the UK Government from Tuesday.

It is the first of three payments, totalling up to £900, for those eligible and on means-tested benefits, such as universal credit or pension credit, in 2023/24.

The first payment will be made between April 25 and May 17.

The Department for Work and Pensions will send payments automatically and directly to recipients’ bank accounts, with a reference of their national insurance number followed by “DWP COL”.

Work and Pensions secretary Mel Stride said: “This latest additional payment will be welcomed by millions of families – as will further payments due over the next year.”

Who is entitled to the payment?

People may be entitled to receive three cost of living payments – of £301, £300 and £299 – if they receive any of the following benefits – Universal Credit, income-based Jobseekers Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, working tax credit, child tax credit and pension credit.

When are the payments being made?

Most people on DWP benefits will receive £301 between April 25 and May 17.

Most people on tax credits and no other low income benefits will receive £301 between May 2 and May 9.

A further cost of living payment of £300 will be paid during autumn 2023, and a third payment will follow in spring 2024.

People receiving both child tax credit and working tax credit will receive a cost of living payment for child tax credit only, which will be paid by HMRC.