Cost of Living Payments

This information applies to England and Wales.

You may be eligible for extra payments to help with living costs if you get certain benefits or tax credits.

If you're eligible, you do not need to apply. You'll be paid automatically in the same way you get your benefits. You may find that you’re eligible for more than 1 payment.

These payments are not taxable and will not affect the benefits or tax credits you receive.

Cost of Living Payments (BSL video)

Low-income benefits and tax credits

You may be eligible for Cost of Living Payments if you get a low-income benefit like:

• Universal Credit (UC)
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) 
• Income Support
• Pension Credit

Or if you get tax credits, which include:

• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

There will be a payment of £900 in 3 instalments from 2023. You will get:

• £301 between 25 April and 17 May 2023 (if you were eligible between 26 January and 25 February 2023)
• £300 between 31 October and 19 November 2023 (if you were eligible between 18 August 2023 to 17 September 2023)
• £299 in Spring 2024

Check the latest information at Cost of Living Payments 2023 to 2024 (GOV.UK)

If you’re unsure which type of ESA you get, check your decision letter.

You can also call Jobcentre Plus on 0800 169 0310.

Disability Cost of Living Payment

There is no disability cost of living payment for autumn 2023.

You may have got a lump sum payment between 20 June and 4 July 2023.

You need to be eligible for 1 of these qualifying disability benefits on 1 April 2023:

• Attendance Allowance
• Constant Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• War Pension Mobility Supplement

If you and your child get 1 of these benefits, you should get a lump sum for each claim.

Disability Cost of Living Payments (BSL video)

Disability Cost of Living Payments (easy read PDF)

Pensioner Cost of Living Payment

You’ll get an extra £300 for your household in Winter 2023/4 if you’re entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment. This extra money will be added to your bank account.

You can get this payment as well as other Cost of Living Payments.

Check if you’re eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment.

Getting more than 1 payment

You may be eligible to receive more than 1 Cost of Living Payments for yourself or for your child.

Each person in your household who receives these benefits should be eligible for a payment.

Here are some examples:

A couple gets Universal Credit jointly, and they each get PIP.

They should receive:

• £900 Low-income Cost of Living Payment in instalments in 2023
• £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment for each person in 2023

A parent gets Universal Credit, and their child gets DLA.

They should receive:

• £900 Low-income Cost of Living Payment in 2023 
• £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment for their child in 2023

A person gets Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance.

They should receive:

• £900 Low-income Cost of Living Payment in 2023 
• £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment in 2023  
• £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment in 2023

If your payment does not arrive

Check your bank statement for a payment called ‘DWP Cost of Living’.

If you do not get a payment, use this form to report a missing Cost of Living Payment.

Contact Scope's helpline if you are having problems.

If you’re not eligible

You are not eligible for a Cost of Living Payment if you only get:

• New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• contributory Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

There is no way to appeal if you are not eligible for a Cost of Living Payment.

Contact the office that pays your benefits if you feel you should be eligible to explain why.

You can also contact your local MP if you disagree with the eligibility for the payments.