How to claim the Cost of Living Payment

ByThiago SF

During the last few years, the Cost of Living Payment has provided vital financial relief to millions of people across the United Kingdom.

It became a symbol of reassurance — a recognition that the government understood the challenges of rising prices, higher energy costs, and everyday expenses.

The answer is surprisingly simple — and it begins by understanding how the scheme truly works.

What Is the Cost of Living Payment?

The Cost of Living Payment was introduced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in 2022, during a time of unprecedented economic pressure.

Its purpose was to support households receiving means-tested benefits, such as:

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

Between 2022 and 2024, eligible claimants automatically received up to £900, split across three instalments.

In addition, the government offered £150 Disability Payments and £150–£300 Pensioner Payments.

Each payment aimed to reduce the impact of inflation on essential needs — energy, food, and household bills.

Is There a “Claim” Process?

The most important fact to know:
👉 You cannot apply for or claim the Cost of Living Payment manually.

Every payment was made automatically to those who met the eligibility criteria during specific “qualifying periods.”

That means you didn’t need to fill in a form, contact an office, or request the payment.

The DWP and HMRC systems automatically detected eligibility through benefit records.

If you qualified, the money was sent directly to the same bank account where you normally receive your benefits.

This automatic approach ensured that no one had to apply, eliminating delays and preventing fraud attempts.

However, if you think you should have received a payment but didn’t, there are still actions you can take.

Steps to Follow If You Didn’t Receive Your Payment

Even though there is no “application” process, there is a process to report a missing payment.
If you believe you qualified and didn’t receive it, follow these steps carefully:

1️⃣ Check Your Eligibility

Confirm that you were receiving one of the qualifying benefits during the official payment period.
If your benefit was paused, reduced to £0, or began after the qualifying date, you might not be eligible.

2️⃣ Review Your Bank Account

Payments usually appear with the reference “DWP COLP” or “HMRC COLS”.
If you don’t see this reference, check with your bank for any processing delays.

3️⃣ Report a Missing Payment

You can report it directly through GOV.UK:
🔗 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment

Alternatively, contact the relevant helpline:

  • Universal Credit: 0800 328 5644
  • Pension Service: 0800 731 0469
  • Tax Credits (HMRC): 0345 300 3900

Provide your National Insurance number, benefit details, and bank account information.

4️⃣ Allow Time for Review

Once your claim is reviewed, DWP or HMRC may contact you for verification.
Most issues resolve within a few weeks, depending on the benefit type and processing volume.

5️⃣ Avoid Scams

Remember — DWP will never ask for your bank details by text message or email.
Any request to “confirm payment information” outside of GOV.UK is a red flag for fraud.

What HMRC and Tax Credit Recipients Should Know

If you receive only Tax Credits, your Cost of Living Payment is handled by HMRC, not DWP.

This means your payment might arrive on a different date than those paid through DWP benefits.

You’ll see “HMRC COLS” as the transaction label.

If you also receive DWP benefits, you’ll only get one payment, even if you qualify under both systems — this prevents duplicate payments.

Alternatives and Support (If No New Payments Are Announced)

As of 2025, the government has not announced any new national Cost of Living Payment.
However, there are still multiple support options available across the UK:

  • 🏠 Household Support Fund: Managed by local councils to help with energy, food, and essentials.
  • ❄️ Cold Weather Payment: £25 for each 7-day period of freezing temperatures between November and March.
  • 💡 Winter Fuel Payment: £250–£600 for pensioners.
  • 🧾 Council Tax Reductions: Ongoing local financial assistance for low-income households.

You can explore all current schemes at gov.uk/cost-of-living or contact your local authority.

❓FAQ — Cost of Living Payment (UK)

1️⃣ Do I need to apply to get a Cost of Living Payment?
No. All payments were made automatically to those receiving qualifying benefits.

2️⃣ Can I claim if I missed the qualifying period?
No — there’s no manual claims process. Only those eligible during official qualifying dates could receive it.

3️⃣ Who should I contact if my payment is missing?
Contact the DWP, HMRC, or your specific benefit helpline. Official contact numbers are listed on GOV.UK.

4️⃣ What evidence do I need to report a missing payment?
Your National Insurance number, benefit details, and recent bank statements showing benefit transactions.

5️⃣ What other support can I access if there’s no new Cost of Living Payment?
You can still apply for the Household Support Fund, Winter Fuel Payment, and Council Tax Reduction schemes through your local council.

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