UK households are still facing inflation and rising costs in 2025. To make things a little easier, the government has issued the last instalment of its £900 cost-support scheme – £299 – in May 2025. The payment is given to those on lower incomes and most affected by food, energy bills and housing costs.
The payment is made between 6 May and 22 May 2025, and distributed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). This support is specifically given to those who rely on “means-tested benefits”, i.e. government assistance based on income.
Full details of the £900 cost-support scheme
The scheme was delivered in three phases:
| Installment | Amount | Payment Window |
|---|---|---|
| First | £301 | Spring 2024 |
| Second | £300 | Autumn 2024 |
| Final | £299 | 6 May – 22 May 2025 |
To be eligible for this payment a person must have been receiving one or more of the following benefits between 13 November 2024 and 12 December 2024:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related ESA
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
If someone was receiving these benefits at the time, they would have received this £299 payment The payment should have been automatically credited to your bank account. No application was needed.
Who didn’t get the payment?
Those who were only receiving non-means-tested benefits were not given this support, such as:
- New style ESA
- Contribution-based ESA
- New style JSA
Also, if someone’s benefit payments stopped or there was a gap during that time, they may not have received the money.
How was the payment made?
- If the payment was from the DWP, it will appear on a bank statement as “DWP COL”.
- If the payment was from HMRC, it will appear as “HMRC COLS”.
- These payments were sent straight into bank accounts, and no application was needed.
What if you haven’t received a payment?
- Check your bank statement – do you see any entries labelled “DWP COL” or “HMRC COLS” between 6 May and 22 May?
- Check your eligibility again – were you receiving the benefits mentioned above between 13 November and 12 December 2024?
- Visit the GOV.UK website and lodge a complaint – a “missing payment” form will be filled out.
Contact DWP or HMRC directly – if the problem still persists.
Important information for those with Pension Credit
If you applied for Pension Credit after 12 December 2024 but before 5 March 2025 and your claim has been backdated, you could also get this £299 payment – provided your claim covers the period 13 November to 12 December.
- Common reasons for payment delays
- Incorrect or outdated bank account number
- Interruption or review of benefits at the time
- System delays or technical issues
- Security checks taking time
How to avoid fraud?
- The DWP or HMRC never ask for personal information in emails, calls or texts.
- Do not click on unknown messages or links.
- Always check the GOV.UK website for your information.
Conclusion
This final payment of £299 has been vital to providing some relief to those in need in 2025. Although it is automatically distributed, there can sometimes be delays or other problems. If you are eligible and have not yet received a payment, you can get the help you need by following the steps above. The scheme is aimed specifically at people who are most financially stressed and it is vital that they get the right information at the right time.
FAQs
1. What is the DWP £299 support payment?
The £299 payment is a cost of living support provided by the UK government to help eligible households cope with rising expenses.
2. Who is eligible for the £299 DWP payment?
Eligibility typically includes those receiving certain benefits like Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, or ESA during a specified qualifying period.
3. How do I check if I’m eligible for the payment?
You can check your eligibility by reviewing your benefit claim history or logging into your DWP account. The DWP also sends letters or notifications to eligible recipients.
4. When is the £299 payment being made?
The payment schedule varies by benefit type and recipient, but most payments are issued automatically over a few weeks.
5. Will I need to apply for the £299 payment?
No, eligible individuals do not need to apply. The payment is made automatically if you qualify during the assessment period.
