DWP £299 Payment: Rising costs for food, fuel, and rent continue to make everyday life difficult for many households in the UK. In response, the government issued the final £299 instalment of the £900 Cost of Living Assistance Scheme in May 2025. This payment, managed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), is designed to support people receiving low-income benefits. But while the payment was automatic for most, not everyone has received it as expected.
If you’re still waiting for this support or unsure whether you qualified, this article explains everything you need to know about the DWP £299 Payment—from eligibility and payment dates to how to report it if it’s missing.
DWP £299 Payment
The final £299 Cost of Living Payment was rolled out between 6 May and 22 May 2025. It was paid automatically to eligible recipients, with no application needed. The payment reference for those receiving it from DWP is listed as “DWP COL” on bank statements. If the payment was processed by HMRC, it will appear as “HMRC COLS”.
Eligibility for this instalment was based on whether you received qualifying benefits between 13 November and 12 December 2024. These included Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Pension Credit, Income Support, Working Tax Credit, and Child Tax Credit.
DWP £299 Payment Overview Table
| Detail | Information |
| Payment Name | DWP £299 Cost of Living Payment |
| Issuing Authority | Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) |
| Payment Window | 6 May to 22 May 2025 |
| Payment Amount | £299 (final instalment of the £900 support scheme) |
| Eligibility Period | 13 November to 12 December 2024 |
| Qualifying Benefits | Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income-based JSA/ESA, Income Support, Tax Credits |
| Application Required | No – paid automatically if eligible |
| Payment Reference (Bank) | “DWP COL” or “HMRC COLS” |
| Where to Report Missing Payment | GOV.UK missing payment form or contact DWP/HMRC |
Three Instalments of the £900 Support Scheme
This £299 payment was the third and final part of a broader support package. The first payment of £301 was issued in Spring 2024, followed by a second payment of £300 in Autumn 2024. This structured approach helped spread support throughout the year to better match the ongoing financial pressures many households are facing.
Who Was Eligible for the £299 Payment in May 2025?
To receive the £299 payment, individuals must have been receiving at least one of the qualifying benefits during the eligibility window in November and December 2024. There was no need to apply. If your claim was active and uninterrupted during that time, the payment should have been made directly to your bank account.
However, if your benefits were suspended or paused, or if you were only receiving non-means-tested benefits such as New Style ESA or New Style JSA, you would not have qualified for this payment. These forms of support are not included in the eligibility criteria for the cost of living scheme.
Who Didn’t Get This Payment?
Some people were excluded despite receiving benefits. Those receiving only contribution-based ESA or New Style JSA were not eligible. Also, if your claim was inactive or disrupted during the qualifying period, the payment would not have been issued.
These exclusions have caused some confusion, particularly among those who assumed all benefit claimants would qualify. It’s important to check the exact benefits you were receiving during the eligibility period to know where you stand.
How Did the Payment Come?
Payments were deposited automatically into the same bank account where you receive your regular benefits. Most people saw the payment show up with a reference like “DWP COL” or “HMRC COLS”, depending on which department issued the payment.
If you’re unsure whether you received it, checking your bank statement between 6 and 22 May is the first step.
Didn’t Get a Payment? What to Do?
If you believe you were eligible but didn’t receive the payment, the first thing to do is check your payment history for the correct timeframe. Look for references labeled “DWP COL” or “HMRC COLS”.
Next, confirm your eligibility by reviewing whether you received one of the qualifying benefits between 13 November and 12 December 2024. If both of those checks are in order, it’s time to report a missing payment. You can do this directly through the GOV.UK website, where there’s a specific form for reporting cost of living payments. If the issue continues, you should contact DWP or HMRC by phone.
Backdated Pension Credit Claim
If you applied for Pension Credit after 12 December 2024 but before 5 March 2025, you might still qualify for the £299 payment. However, for that to happen, your claim must have been backdated to cover the eligibility period. This is especially relevant for pensioners who only learned of their eligibility later. If your application was successful and included the relevant dates, DWP would issue the payment automatically.
If you’re unsure about your backdated claim or believe it has not been processed correctly, it’s a good idea to follow up with DWP directly.
What Could Be Causing the Delay?
In some cases, delays in receiving the DWP £299 Payment are caused by simple administrative issues. The most common reasons include incorrect or outdated bank details, benefit claims that were paused or suspended, or processing backlogs at the DWP or HMRC. Some cases are flagged for fraud prevention checks, which can also slow things down.
If you’ve recently changed your bank account or if your benefit status changed during the qualifying period, these could be key factors to investigate.
Avoid Scams
Unfortunately, when government payments are involved, scams are often not far behind. It’s important to remember that the DWP and HMRC will never ask for your personal or banking details via phone, email, or text message. If you receive unexpected messages asking for sensitive information, do not respond.
Always use official sources like GOV.UK for information and payment tracking. Avoid clicking on links in messages from unknown sources and never share personal details unless you’re certain it’s with an official government department.
Conclusion
The DWP £299 Payment offers crucial support to help households manage essential costs during challenging times. While most people received this automatically, some may still be waiting. If that’s you, take the time to check your eligibility and payment history, then report the issue through the proper channels. Remember, no application was required—but if your payment is missing, there are steps you can take to resolve it.
Staying informed, verifying your benefit status, and acting quickly can ensure that you get the financial help you’re entitled to.
FAQs
What is the DWP £299 Cost of Living Payment?
It’s the final instalment of a £900 support package from the UK government to assist low-income households in 2025.
Who qualifies for the £299 DWP payment?
Anyone receiving certain benefits, such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, during the eligibility window from 13 November to 12 December 2024.
When was the £299 payment made?
Between 6 and 22 May 2025, depending on your benefit type and payment schedule.
How do I check if the payment was made?
Check your bank statement for the transaction references “DWP COL” or “HMRC COLS”.
What should I do if I didn’t receive it?
Report the issue through GOV.UK or contact DWP/HMRC directly if you believe you were eligible.
