DWP £300 Support Confirmed for September 2025 – Eligibility, Payment Dates, and How to Check

As millions of households in the UK continue to battle rising prices, the government has confirmed that a new £300 cost of living payment will arrive this September. Targeted at vulnerable families, pensioners, and people on low incomes, the payment is designed to provide much-needed financial relief at a time when bills, food, and housing remain expensive.

This article explains who qualifies, when the payment will arrive, and how it fits into the government’s wider support package.

Why This Support Matters Now

The cost of living crisis remains a top concern for UK households. Even though inflation has slowed since its peak in 2022, essentials like food, rent, and energy remain significantly higher than before the crisis began.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), many families are spending a much larger share of their income on daily essentials, leaving little for savings or emergencies. The £300 payment is part of a wider government commitment to shield vulnerable groups, following earlier payments in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Who Can Get the £300 Payment

Not everyone will receive the payment. It is specifically aimed at people receiving means-tested benefits. Eligible households must be on one or more of the following:

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

Those only on New Style ESA, contributory ESA, or New Style JSA will not qualify, as these are not means-tested.

Automatic Payments, No Application Needed

The £300 support will be paid automatically to those who qualify. There is no need to apply.

• DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) will pay most recipients, such as those on Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Income Support.
• HMRC (HM Revenue and Customs) will issue payments for those claiming tax credits.

The money will go into the same bank account where benefits are usually deposited, marked with a clear reference such as “DWP COLP” or “HMRC COLS”.

When the Payment Will Arrive

The £300 payment is scheduled for September 2025.

• DWP payments are expected to arrive first, within a two-week window.
• HMRC payments may come slightly later to prevent duplication for households receiving both tax credits and other benefits.

Most recipients will have the money by the end of the rollout period.

How to Check Your Eligibility

Eligibility is based on whether you were entitled to receive a qualifying benefit during a set assessment period announced by the government.

• For Universal Credit, this often depends on your income during the assessment window. If your earnings were too high and your benefit was reduced to zero, you may not qualify.
• For Pension Credit, you may still be eligible if your claim can be backdated up to three months, meaning new applicants could qualify even if they were not receiving it previously.

Payment Reference and Security

Payments will be clearly marked as “DWP COLP” or “HMRC COLS” in your bank account.

The government has also issued warnings about scams. It will never ask you to apply for this support by phone, text, or email. Any such messages are likely fraudulent and should be reported.

Will the £300 Affect Other Benefits?

No. The payment is non-taxable and does not count as income. It will not reduce existing awards such as Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, or Pension Credit.

This ensures that the payment serves as additional support, not a replacement for existing entitlements.

Wider Cost of Living Package

The September £300 instalment is part of a multi-phase support package:

• £900 in three instalments for households on means-tested benefits.
• £150 for people on disability benefits.
• Extra payments for pensioners through the Winter Fuel Payment.

The government has staggered payments to help households manage seasonal costs, particularly higher winter heating bills.

Pensioners and Additional Help

Pensioners are among those hit hardest by rising costs. Many live on fixed incomes and struggle with energy bills.

Those receiving Pension Credit will benefit from both the £300 cost of living payment and the Winter Fuel Payment, offering crucial financial support during colder months.

How Families Can Use the Support

Financial advisors suggest using the £300 to cover priority expenses, such as:

• Utility bills (gas, electricity, water).
• Rent or mortgage payments.
• Groceries and essential supplies.
• Paying down priority debts.

Some households may also set aside a portion as emergency savings.

What to Do if You Don’t Receive It

If you believe you qualify but do not receive the payment by the end of September’s rollout window:

• Contact DWP if you receive most qualifying benefits.
• Contact HMRC if you receive tax credits.

Ensure your bank details are correct and up to date. The government advises waiting until the full rollout period has ended before raising a query.

FAQs – £300 Cost of Living Payment September 2025

Q1: Do I need to apply for the £300 payment?
No. Payments are automatic for those on qualifying benefits.

Q2: When will the £300 payment be made?
Payments are scheduled for September 2025, with most completed within two weeks.

Q3: Will this payment affect my Universal Credit or Pension Credit?
No. It is non-taxable and does not affect existing benefit entitlements.

Q4: What if I only receive New Style ESA or JSA?
You will not qualify, as these are not means-tested benefits.

Q5: How do I check if I qualify for the £300 payment?
Review your benefits status. If you were entitled to a qualifying benefit during the government’s assessment period, you should qualify.