Complete guide to UK cost of living payments, what replaced them in 2025/26, and what DWP support is still available.
Last updated: 2 April 2026 · Reviewed by Emma Thompson, Senior Financial Content Editor
There is no separate DWP cost of living payment in 2025 or 2025/26. The government confirmed in the Autumn Statement 2023 that one-off cost of living payments would not continue beyond the 2023/24 financial year. The final payment of £299 was issued in spring 2024.
Instead, the government permanently increased benefits by 1.7% for 2025/26 (based on September 2024 CPI). This applies to Universal Credit, PIP, ESA, JSA, and most other DWP benefits. The State Pension increased by 4.1% under the triple lock.
There is no £450 cost of living payment in 2025. Reports of a £450 payment circulating on social media are not accurate. If you see such claims, check official GOV.UK sources.
The DWP cost of living payments were introduced as an emergency response to the energy and inflation crisis that began in 2022. Over a two-year period, the government made five separate payments to eligible households on means-tested benefits. Here is the complete timeline:
| Payment | Amount | Date Range | Assessment Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| First 2022 payment | £326 | Jul 2022 | 25 May 2022 |
| Second 2022 payment | £324 | Nov 2022 | 26 Aug 2022 |
| First 2023/24 payment | £301 | Apr–May 2023 | 26 Jan 2023 |
| Second 2023/24 payment | £300 | Oct–Nov 2023 | 18 Aug 2023 |
| Final payment | £299 | Feb–Apr 2024 | 13 Nov 2023 |
| Total received | £1,550 | Over 5 payments (2022–2024) | |
Pensioner cost of living payments: In addition to the above, pensioner households also received separate £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payments in Winter 2022/23 and Winter 2023/24, paid alongside the Winter Fuel Payment. These were separate from the means-tested payments above.
Disability cost of living payments: People on qualifying disability benefits also received separate payments of £150 (September 2022), £150 (June 2023), and £150 (February 2024) — totalling £450 in disability cost of living payments.
Rather than continuing one-off payments, the government chose to permanently increase benefit rates each year in line with the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measured in September of the previous year. This means eligible claimants receive higher regular payments throughout the year, rather than lump sums.
For most claimants, the combination of the 6.7% increase in 2024/25 and the 1.7% increase in 2025/26 provides more ongoing support than the one-off payments did. Here is a comparison:
| Scenario | Cost of Living Payments (2023/24) | Benefit Uprating (2024/25+) |
|---|---|---|
| UC single person (25+) | £601 (two payments) | £23.80/month extra = £285.60/year (6.7% uplift) |
| UC couple (both 25+) | £601 (two payments) | £37.32/month extra = £447.84/year (6.7% uplift) |
| New State Pension | £601 + £300 pensioner payment | £17.45/week extra = £907.40/year (8.5% triple lock 2024/25) |
Key point: The 6.7% benefit uprating for 2024/25 alone was worth more in annual terms than the £601 in cost of living payments received during 2023/24 for most benefit types. The permanent increase compounds each year.
All DWP benefits were uprated by 1.7% from April 2025 (based on September 2024 CPI of 1.7%). The State Pension increased by 4.1% under the triple lock. Below are the key rates for 2025/26:
| Claimant Type | 2024/25 Rate | 2025/26 Rate | Monthly Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single under 25 | £292.11 | £297.07 | +£4.96 |
| Single 25 or over | £368.74 | £311.68 | +£5.27 |
| Joint claimants, both under 25 | £458.51 | £466.31 | +£7.80 |
| Joint claimants, one or both 25+ | £578.82 | £489.23 | +£8.27 |
| Pension Type | 2024/25 Rate | 2025/26 Rate | Weekly Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| New State Pension (full) | £221.20 | £230.25 | +£9.05 |
| Basic State Pension (full) | £169.50 | £176.45 | +£6.95 |
| Benefit | 2025/26 Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PIP Daily Living (enhanced) | £108.55 | Per week |
| PIP Daily Living (standard) | £72.65 | Per week |
| PIP Mobility (enhanced) | £75.75 | Per week |
| PIP Mobility (standard) | £28.70 | Per week |
| Carer’s Allowance | £81.90 | Per week |
| ESA (Support Group) | £138.20 | Per week (contribution-based) |
| JSA (25+) | £90.50 | Per week (contribution-based) |
| Attendance Allowance (higher) | £108.55 | Per week |
| Child Benefit (first child) | £26.05 | Per week |
| Child Benefit (additional) | £17.25 | Per week per child |
| Pension Credit Standard Minimum (single) | £218.15 | Per week (guarantee credit) |
| Pension Credit Standard Minimum (couple) | £332.95 | Per week (guarantee credit) |
Pension Credit: If you are of State Pension age and on a low income, you may be entitled to Pension Credit. Claiming Pension Credit also gives you automatic eligibility for the Warm Home Discount and (from Winter 2024/25) the Winter Fuel Payment. Over 800,000 eligible pensioners are estimated to be unclaimed — check your entitlement on GOV.UK or call the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234.
To receive the DWP cost of living payments (2022–2024), you had to be receiving at least one of the following qualifying means-tested benefits on the relevant assessment date:
Important: If you believe you were eligible for a cost of living payment but did not receive it, you can no longer make a claim. The payment window has closed. If you had an ongoing dispute about a missed payment, contact the DWP on 0800 328 5644.
In addition to the means-tested payments, people receiving qualifying disability benefits received separate payments:
| Payment | Amount | Date | Qualifying Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disability CoL 2022 | £150 | Sep 2022 | PIP, DLA, AA, Armed Forces Independence Payment, War Disablement Pension |
| Disability CoL 2023 | £150 | Jun 2023 | Same as above |
| Disability CoL 2024 | £150 | Feb 2024 | Same as above |
| Total | £450 | Three payments over 2022–2024 | |
Note: These disability payments were in addition to the means-tested payments. Someone on both Universal Credit and PIP could have received up to £1,550 + £450 = £2,000 in total cost of living payments.
Although the specific cost of living payments have ended, the UK government continues to provide financial support through several schemes. Here is what is still available for the 2025/26 financial year:
The Household Support Fund has been extended to March 2026. This fund is distributed by local councils to help vulnerable households with food, energy, water, and other essential costs. Each council decides how to allocate the funding and who is eligible.
How to apply: Contact your local council directly. You can find your council at GOV.UK/find-local-council. Some councils accept online applications; others require phone calls.
Who qualifies: Typically targets families with children, pensioners, disabled people, and those on low incomes who are struggling with essential costs. Eligibility criteria vary significantly between councils.
The Warm Home Discount provides a £150 one-off discount on your electricity bill during winter 2025/26. The discount is applied directly to your energy account — you do not receive cash.
Core Group (automatic): If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you should receive the discount automatically. Your energy supplier or DWP will write to you.
Broader Group: You may qualify if you are on a low income, receive certain means-tested benefits, and have high energy costs. Your energy supplier determines eligibility using DWP data.
Timeline: Payments are typically made between October and March each winter.
Major change for 2024/25 onwards: The Winter Fuel Payment is now means-tested. Only pensioners receiving Pension Credit (or certain other means-tested benefits) are eligible. Previously, all pensioners received it regardless of income.
Amounts: £200 if born between 23 September 1944 and 22 September 1959. £300 if born before 23 September 1944. An extra £150/£300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment was included in 2022/23 and 2023/24, but this has now ended.
Impact: Approximately 10 million pensioners lost eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment. If you are on a low income, claim Pension Credit to potentially restore eligibility.
You receive £25 automatically for each 7-day period when the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below. Payments are made between 1 November and 31 March.
Who qualifies: People receiving Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, or Universal Credit with certain elements (limited capability for work, disabled child, child under 5).
Council Tax Support can reduce your council tax bill by up to 100%, depending on your income, savings, and circumstances. The scheme is run by your local council, and rules vary by area.
How to claim: Apply through your local council. If you are on Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or other means-tested benefits, you are likely to qualify for some reduction.
Children in Reception, Year 1, and Year 2 in England automatically receive universal free school meals. Beyond this, free school meals are available if the household receives qualifying benefits (Universal Credit with income under £7,400 after tax and benefits, Income Support, income-based JSA, etc.).
If your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing element does not cover your full rent, you can apply to your local council for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). This is a short-term top-up to help cover the shortfall.
The ECO4 scheme (running until March 2026) provides free or heavily subsidised home energy efficiency improvements such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and boiler replacements. Eligibility is based on receiving certain benefits and having a low energy-efficiency home.
Contact your energy supplier or the Energy Saving Trust helpline on 0800 444 202.
Select the benefits you currently receive to see what additional support you may be entitled to. This is a simplified guide — always check GOV.UK or contact the relevant organisation for full eligibility details.
Here are the standard DWP payment schedules for the main benefits. Payments that fall on a weekend or bank holiday are usually made on the last working day before.
Universal Credit is paid monthly, 7 days after your assessment period ends. Your assessment period is set when you first claim and remains the same date each month. If your payment date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, it is paid on the previous working day.
The State Pension is paid every 4 weeks. Your payment day depends on the last two digits of your National Insurance number:
| NI Number Ends In | Payment Day |
|---|---|
| 00 to 19 | Monday |
| 20 to 39 | Tuesday |
| 40 to 59 | Wednesday |
| 60 to 79 | Thursday |
| 80 to 99 | Friday |
Personal Independence Payment is paid every 4 weeks. The day is set when your claim is approved. You can check your next payment date through your PIP online account or by calling the PIP helpline on 0800 121 4433.
| Bank Holiday | Date | Payments Brought Forward To |
|---|---|---|
| Early May Bank Holiday | Monday 5 May 2025 | Friday 2 May 2025 |
| Spring Bank Holiday | Monday 26 May 2025 | Friday 23 May 2025 |
| Summer Bank Holiday | Monday 25 August 2025 | Friday 22 August 2025 |
| Christmas Day | Thursday 25 December 2025 | Wednesday 24 December 2025 |
| Boxing Day | Friday 26 December 2025 | Wednesday 24 December 2025 |
| New Year’s Day | Thursday 1 January 2026 | Wednesday 31 December 2025 |
| Good Friday | Friday 3 April 2026 | Thursday 2 April 2026 |
| Easter Monday | Monday 6 April 2026 | Thursday 2 April 2026 |
Tip: If you are struggling with the gap between payments, you can apply for a Universal Credit advance which gives you up to one month’s estimated payment upfront. This is repaid over 24 months through deductions from your future payments.
You may have seen claims on social media about a £450 cost of living payment in 2025 or a £450 cost of living payment in May 2025. These claims are not accurate. Here is what you need to know:
Fact check: The UK government has NOT announced any £450 cost of living payment for 2025. There is no such payment in the Spring Budget 2025, the Autumn Statement 2024, or any DWP announcement.
The £450 figure likely originates from one of two sources:
The transition from one-off payments to permanent uprating has different effects depending on your circumstances:
Understanding why the payment ended requires looking at inflation trends:
| Date | CPI Inflation Rate | Context |
|---|---|---|
| October 2022 | 11.1% | Peak — cost of living payments introduced |
| September 2023 | 6.7% | Used for 2024/25 benefit uprating |
| September 2024 | 1.7% | Used for 2025/26 benefit uprating |
| February 2026 | 2.6% | Current rate (approximate) |
If you previously relied on the lump-sum cost of living payments to cover large expenses, here are practical strategies for managing without them:
If you are struggling with debt, free confidential advice is available from:
Breathing Space scheme: If you are in problem debt, the Breathing Space (Debt Respite) scheme gives you 60 days of legal protection from creditor action while you get professional advice. Ask a debt adviser to apply on your behalf.
Data verified against official UK government sources. Last checked April 2026. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. For personal advice, contact Citizens Advice (0800 144 8848) or a qualified adviser.