How to check if I’m eligible for the Cost of Living Payment

The Cost of Living Payment was one of the most important financial supports offered by the UK Government between 2022 and 2024.

It helped millions of households manage higher prices, energy bills, and everyday costs during a period of rising inflation.

Here’s how to understand the criteria, verify your eligibility, and know what to do if you think you should have received a payment but didn’t.

1️⃣ Understand the Eligibility Criteria First

The first step to checking your eligibility is knowing who qualified.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) automatically identified eligible people based on their benefits records.

You qualified if, during the official qualifying period, you were entitled to at least one of the following means-tested benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit

These benefits had to be active — even for a single day — during one of the qualifying periods set by the DWP.

❗ Important notes:

• If your Universal Credit was reduced to £0 (a “nil award”) because of earnings or savings, you might not have qualified.
• However, if it was reduced due to rent deductions, advance repayments, or sanctions, you could still have been eligible.
• People receiving “new style” JSA or “new style” ESA were not eligible, as those are contribution-based benefits.

For reference, the final qualifying period was 13 November to 12 December 2023, covering the last £299 payment made in February 2024.

2️⃣ Use Official Resources and Tools

You can verify eligibility through official government platforms — never through third-party or unofficial websites.

Start with:
👉 GOV.UK Cost of Living Payment page
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

There, you’ll find:

• A list of eligible benefits
• Official payment dates
• Steps to report missing payments

You can also use the “Check benefits and financial support” tool:
👉 https://www.gov.uk/check-benefits-financial-support

This service helps you confirm which benefits you currently receive and whether they would have qualified for past Cost of Living Payments.

3️⃣ Check Your Benefit History and Bank Records

If you already receive benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, you can review your assessment periods directly through your online account.

When checking your bank statements, look for transaction references such as:

DWP COLP (for payments via DWP)
HMRC COLS (for payments via Tax Credits)

If one of these appears, it means you received a Cost of Living Payment automatically.

If you can’t find such a reference but believe you were eligible, review your benefit statements or contact the DWP to confirm.

4️⃣ What to Do If You Think You Should Have Received It

If you believe you met the criteria but didn’t get paid, you can report a missing payment directly through GOV.UK or by calling the helpline that manages your benefit.

📞 Official Contacts

• Universal Credit: 0800 328 5644 (Textphone: 0800 328 1344)
• Pension Service: 0800 731 0469
• HMRC (Tax Credits): 0345 300 3900
• Disability Benefits Helpline: 0800 121 4433

Before calling, make sure you have:

• Your National Insurance number
• Details of your benefit claim or assessment period
• Your bank details

You’ll be asked to confirm your identity, after which the department can trace whether your payment was issued or withheld.

5️⃣ Be Careful with Scams and False Claims

Because the Cost of Living Payment became so widely known, scammers often sent fake messages asking people to “claim” or “verify” their payment.

⚠️ Remember:

• The DWP never sends texts or emails asking for personal information.
• The payment was automatic — no one could apply for it online.
• Always check the sender address or number; if unsure, visit www.gov.uk directly.

If you suspect fraud, report it at https://www.gov.uk/report-scam.

6️⃣ Current Status — 2025 and Beyond

As of 2025, the UK Government has confirmed that the Cost of Living Payment scheme has ended.

“The government is not planning to make any further Cost of Living Payments.”
— GOV.UK Official Statement

This means there are no new eligibility periods and no upcoming payments planned.

However, other ongoing support remains available:

• 🏠 Household Support Fund — available via local councils.
• ❄️ Cold Weather Payment — £25 for each week of freezing temperatures.
• 💡 Winter Fuel Payment — £250–£600 for pensioners.
• 💷 Council Tax Reduction Schemes — for low-income households.

These programs continue to target vulnerable groups as living costs evolve.

❓FAQ — How to Check Eligibility for the Cost of Living Payment

1️⃣ Do I need to apply to check eligibility?
No — payments were automatic. You can only verify eligibility using GOV.UK tools or your benefit account.

2️⃣ Can I still check eligibility if I never received the payment?
Yes — by reviewing your benefit records or contacting DWP/HMRC.

3️⃣ What reference should I look for on my bank statement?
“DWP COLP” or “HMRC COLS.”

4️⃣ Who do I contact if I think I was eligible but didn’t receive it?
Call your relevant benefit helpline (Universal Credit, Pension Service, or HMRC).

5️⃣ Are there any future Cost of Living Payments planned?
No — as of 2025, the national scheme has ended, but local and targeted supports remain.