As the cost of living in the UK continues to rise, the government is stepping in with the final part of its £900 financial support plan. The £299 payment, scheduled for May 2025, is intended to help low-income families and individuals manage everyday expenses like food, energy bills, and rent. With inflation and other pressures hitting hard, this last payment couldn’t come at a more critical time.
This payment is automatic for those who meet the requirements, and there’s no need to apply. It’s mainly aimed at people who were already receiving certain benefits during a specific time window late last year. Still, some people may not receive the money due to technical issues, paused benefits, or other complications. If that happens, the government has outlined clear steps to follow so no one misses out unnecessarily.
For pensioners, there’s even a bit of flexibility—those who applied for Pension Credit after the cut-off but had their claims backdated could still be eligible. The payment process is straightforward, but keeping your information updated and watching out for scams is important to make sure you receive the support without problems.
Understanding £299 Support Payment
The £299 payment is the final part of a three-stage cost-of-living support plan from the UK government. The goal is to give low-income households a bit of relief as everyday costs continue to go up. The total package is worth £900 and has been broken into three payments:
| Installment | Amount | When It Was Paid |
|---|---|---|
| First | £301 | Spring 2024 |
| Second | £300 | Autumn 2024 |
| Third (Final) | £299 | 6–22 May 2025 |
If you qualify, you’ll get the £299 payment directly in your bank account—no forms or extra steps required.
Who Can Expect This Payment?
To be eligible, you must have received one of the qualifying benefits between 13 November and 12 December 2024. These benefits include:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Pension Credit
If you were getting any of these during the qualifying period, you’re likely eligible. No separate application is needed—the payment is automatic.
Who Isn’t Eligible?
Not all benefit recipients qualify. If you’re only receiving non-means-tested benefits, you won’t get the £299 payment. That includes:
- New Style ESA
- Contribution-based ESA
- New Style JSA
Also, if your benefits were paused or under review during the qualifying window, your payment may be delayed or denied.
How the Payment Will Show Up
If your payment is coming from the DWP, it will appear on your bank statement as “DWP COL.”
If it’s through HMRC, you’ll see “HMRC COLS.”
These are direct deposits, so no action is needed—just make sure your banking details are correct with DWP or HMRC.
What to Do If You Haven’t Received It
If you think you’re eligible but don’t see the money in your account by 22 May 2025, here’s what you should do:
- Check your bank statement – Look for “DWP COL” or “HMRC COLS.”
- Review your eligibility – Were you receiving a qualifying benefit between 13 Nov and 12 Dec 2024?
- Submit a missing payment form – Available on the official GOV.UK website.
- Contact DWP or HMRC – If the form doesn’t help, reach out to the department handling your benefits.
Important Note for Pension Credit Applicants
If you applied for Pension Credit after 12 December 2024 but before 5 March 2025, and your claim was backdated to include the qualifying period, you could still get the payment. This is especially useful for older individuals who may have applied late but still qualify due to backdated approval.
Why Your Payment Might Be Late
Several things could hold up your payment:
- Your bank info is outdated or wrong.
- Your benefits were paused or under investigation during the eligibility window.
- Technical glitches in the system.
- Extra checks to prevent fraud or confirm your identity.
To avoid these issues, make sure all your information is current and accurate. If something seems off, it’s best to act quickly.
Beware for Scams
Whenever large-scale payments like this roll out, scammers try to take advantage. Here’s how to protect yourself:
- Never give out personal info like bank details or your National Insurance number to unknown callers or email senders.
- Don’t click on links in suspicious texts or emails claiming to be from DWP or HMRC.
- Only use the official GOV.UK site for updates and forms.
- Report scams to help stop fraudsters and protect others.
Note: DWP or HMRC won’t call or message asking you to confirm your details for the £299 payment.
This £299 payment is more than just a quick financial fix—it’s a much-needed helping hand for families and individuals feeling the pinch of rising costs. As the last part of the £900 support package, it’s designed to ease pressure over time instead of all at once. If you meet the requirements, keep an eye on your bank account and check for any updates. And if there’s a problem, don’t wait—take the steps needed to claim what you’re owed. Every bit of support counts in times like these.
