Is the £300 Cost of Living Payment coming back in 2026? No, it isn’t. The UK Government’s Cost of Living Payments scheme officially ended in 2024, and no new national £300 instalments are planned for 2026.
Here’s what you need to know:
- The £300 payment was one of three instalments offered to low-income households in 2023–24.
- Payments were made automatically to those on qualifying benefits like Universal Credit and Tax Credits.
- The scheme has ended, and there is no repeat of the £300 payment this year.
- Some councils still offer local support (e.g. Household Support Fund).
- No application was needed for the original payment.
- You can report a missing payment via GOV.UK if you were eligible.
What Was The £300 Cost Of Living Payment In The UK?
In 2023–24, the UK Government ran a structured support scheme known broadly as Cost of Living Payments. The purpose was to help households on low incomes cope with sustained price increases in essentials such as energy, food, transport and bills.
The £300 payment that people often talk about was one of the payments in this series.
Government professionals have been clear that this scheme was not a one‑off ad hoc payment but part of a structured package worth up to £900 total.
That package comprised different instalments, each tied to being in receipt of certain qualifying benefits or tax credits on specific dates. The £300 element was the middle payment for many eligible benefit claimants.
As someone who has followed the development and explained welfare payments to readers, I remember the policy being described not as a permanent expansion of the welfare state, but as targeted, temporary support intended to deliver extra funds into the accounts of those most exposed to inflation and rising costs.
It was structured to work automatically for qualifying claimants rather than requiring an application.
How Eligibility Worked?
Eligibility for the £300 Cost of Living Payment was based on whether you were receiving a qualifying benefit or tax credit on a specific date during the qualifying period.
A key government page on this programme lists the qualifying benefits:
| Income Related Benefits | Universal Credit, Income Support, income based ESA, income based JSA |
|---|---|
| Tax Credits | Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit |
| Pensioner Support (Winter Fuel Payment) | Winter Fuel Payment with a £300 additional Cost of Living payment for pensioners |
| Disability Support Payments | £150 for certain disability benefits such as DLA or PIP |
Notably, if you received both tax credits and a qualifying benefit, you were generally paid once via the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
When People Were Not Eligible?
There were specific circumstances in which a £300 payment would not be paid even if you had been on benefits:
- Your benefit was reduced to £0 for the qualifying period. This could happen due to increased earnings, savings, or sanctions.
- Your tax credits entitlement was below £26 for the relevant tax year.
- You were not receiving any qualifying benefit or tax credit on the qualifying date.
This meant that simply having a benefit at some point in the year wasn’t enough, you had to be actively in receipt of it on a specific qualifying date.
How Much People Might Have Got?
The amounts and timing varied slightly depending on the type of benefit you received, but the three main Cost of Living Payments for low-income benefits and tax credits were:
| First instalment (Spring 2023) | £301 | Low income beneficiaries and some tax credit claimants |
|---|---|---|
| Second instalment (Autumn 2023) | £300 | Most eligible claimants including Universal Credit and others |
| Third instalment (Spring 2024) | £299 | Final scheduled payment for remaining eligible claimants |
This structured series was designed to spread support through two financial years in response to ongoing cost pressures.
When Was The £300 Payment Actually Sent To Households?
For the £300 instalment in question, most eligible people received their payments between 31 October and 19 November 2023.
This schedule applied to those on means‑tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, and similar support. Tax credit‑only claimants likely saw their payment a little later in that window.
A table below shows the broad timeframes for when the main payments were delivered:
| First (£301) | Late April – Mid May 2023 | Paid to most eligible claimants |
|---|---|---|
| Second (£300) | 31 October – 19 November 2023 | Most eligible benefit claimants |
| Final (£299) | Early 2024 (by Spring) | Paid as scheduled to qualifying claimants |
This schedule was published by the Department for Work and Pensions and related guidance.
Government systems paid these instalments automatically; there was no requirement for claimants to complete applications or forms if they met the eligibility rules.
Why isn’t the £300 Cost Of Living Payment Coming Back In 2026?
A very common query in early 2026 relates to whether this same £300 payment or a continuation of the Cost of Living Payments scheme is returning.
According to the latest government guidance, the national Cost of Living Payment programme ran from 2022 until 2024 and has now ended.
The Department for Work and Pensions clearly states that no further national Cost of Living Payments are planned.
Government professionals have repeatedly emphasised that what was delivered previously was exceptional, time‑limited support during and after high inflationary periods. This means that the specific structure of payments totalling £900, including the £300 instalment, is not an ongoing entitlement.
From my perspective, it’s important to be realistic about the difference between temporary targeted interventions and permanent benefit enhancements.
While there are ongoing supports through the welfare system, repeating this particular series of payments indefinitely was never the government’s stated intention.
How Could People Claim The Payment If They Were Eligible?
One of the defining features of the Cost of Living Payments was that claimants did not need to apply to receive them. If you were on a qualifying benefit or tax credit on the required date, the payment was processed automatically and paid into the same account you receive your benefit or tax credit.
This automatic process was helpful because it avoided adding extra paperwork or need for individuals to navigate another application during what was already a difficult time for many households.
Below is a summary of how the process worked:
- Eligible benefits and tax credits were identified by DWP and HMRC systems.
- Data from benefit records was used to determine entitlement.
- Payments were scheduled and sent without claimant application.
- If a claimant changed bank account details or payment method mid‑year, systems were designed to follow those changes so the funds arrived where expected.
However, if someone believes they did not receive a payment they were entitled to, they can report a missing Cost of Living Payment through the office that pays their benefits.
This process often involved contact with jobcentres, benefit centres, or HMRC (for tax credit claimants) to investigate and rectify any missing payment.
What Should You Do If You Think You Missed Your £300 Payment?
Because this was a government‑administered scheme rather than one claimants applied to, a missing payment often indicates one of the following:
- Eligibility records did not show you as receiving a qualifying benefit on the correct date.
- Your benefit account was at zero earnings or otherwise adjusted during that period.
- Administrative errors or delays occurred in processing the payment.
If you fall into any of these scenarios, the official guidance says you can contact the office that pays your benefit or tax credits to report a missing payment and request an investigation.
From my own engagement with readers and beneficiaries over the last few years, I’ve seen that gathering paperwork such as benefit award notices, bank statements showing benefit receipts, and proof of identity can help speed up the resolution.
Are There Other Ways To Get £300 Support In 2026?
Even though the national Cost of Living Payment scheme has ended, there are alternative sources of financial support that can provide cash or near‑cash help which may be similar in value to around £300, depending on where you live and your circumstances.
Local Support Funds
One of the key programmes in this space is the Household Support Fund (HSF), operated through local councils. This fund provides direct help to households who are struggling, and some councils offer one‑off grants that can be around £200–£300 or more in certain cases.
However, eligibility and the exact amount vary widely by local authority, and you often have to apply through your council rather than receiving an automatic payment.
Local programmes often consider:
- Household income and savings
- Whether you have children or dependents
- Urgent needs (food, fuel, essential bills)
- Special circumstances (disability, older age, health issues)
A table below summarises the landscape of local support:
| Household Support Fund | Varies (often £200–£300) | Local council decision and application |
|---|---|---|
| Crisis Grants (Scotland) | Varies | Emergency help for essentials |
| Discretionary Assistance (Wales) | Varies | Needs based council support |
| Food voucher schemes | Various | Often through charities/councils |
This diversity means some people on low incomes may find targeted support that approaches the £300 mark even without a national Cost of Living Payment.
Continued Welfare Benefits
Beyond one‑off payments, the welfare system itself, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit, disability benefits, and other entitlements, continues to provide ongoing support that affects disposable income.
These payments are separate from Cost of Living Payments but can significantly influence financial stability.
What’s Next For Cost Of Living Support In The UK?
Looking ahead in 2026, the pattern of cost‑of‑living support is evolving away from large, universal cash instalments like those delivered in 2022–24.
The emphasis from the government and welfare professionals is on targeted assistance, ongoing welfare payments, and local authority schemes rather than broad additional instalment programmes.
In practice, this means:
- National Cost of Living Payments like the £300 instalment are not scheduled to continue.
- Local support schemes may be extended or adapted to changing needs.
- Benefits such as Universal Credit remain a key part of income support.
- Some energy and fuel support payments (like Winter Fuel Payment) remain relevant for eligible pensioners, though this is distinct from Cost of Living Payments.
For anyone struggling with living costs, it remains important to check both government guidance on GOV.UK and local council resources to understand what’s available where you live.
Final thoughts on the £300 payment
When I look back on how the £300 Cost of Living Payment was rolled out, it’s clear that the programme helped many households during a time of significant price pressures.
It was a targeted intervention delivered automatically to those on low incomes, and that simplicity was one of its strengths.
Now that the national scheme has wrapped up, the focus has shifted to other support mechanisms and broader social security measures. So while there isn’t a repeat of the £300 payment planned for 2026, there are still options worth exploring if you’re struggling with everyday costs.
FAQs
What Was The Purpose Of The £300 Cost Of Living Payment?
The £300 payment was part of a government scheme to help low-income households manage rising living costs during 2023–24.
Do I Need To Apply For The £300 Cost Of Living Payment?
No, the payment was made automatically to eligible individuals receiving qualifying benefits on specific dates.
Will There Be Another £300 Payment In 2026?
No further £300 Cost of Living Payments are planned for 2026 under the national scheme, which officially ended in 2024.
How Can I Report A Missing Cost-of-Living Payment?
You can contact the office that pays your benefits or HMRC (for tax credits) to report and resolve a missing payment.
Are Local Councils Still Offering Financial Help?
Yes, some councils continue to offer support through schemes like the Household Support Fund, though you must apply directly.
Is the £300 Payment Taxable Or Affecting My Benefits?
No, the Cost of Living Payments did not count as taxable income and did not affect existing benefit entitlements.
Where Can I Check My Eligibility For Support In 2026?
You can check GOV.UK and your local council’s website to see what support is available and if you’re eligible.
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