Who Gets the £299 DWP Payment? Full Guide on Eligibility and Missing Payment Resolution

The UK government announced a £900 aid package as part of a relief package for low-income people struggling with rising inflation, energy bills and food prices. As the final installment of this package, the Cost of Living Payment of £299 was sent by the DWP to eligible beneficiaries in early April 2024.

This article will tell you who received this payment, what were the eligibility conditions, what to do if you did not receive this payment, and for what technical reasons some people have not been able to get this amount yet.

Details of the government’s £900 aid

The British government implemented the £900 Cost of Living Support scheme to reduce financial pressure, which was divided into three parts:

Who got the £299 Cost of Living Payment?

If you were receiving benefits from any of the following means-tested benefit schemes between 13 November and 12 December 2023, you were supposed to receive this payment automatically:

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

Note: There was no need to apply for this payment. The government sent this amount directly to the bank account of the beneficiaries based on their existing records.

Who did not get this payment?

There were some beneficiaries who were getting help from the government, but they did not get this amount of £299. The main reasons for this can be the following:

• New Style JSA and ESA beneficiaries – these are not means-tested.
• Beneficiaries of contribution-based JSA/ESA
• If there was a gap in your benefit plan between 13 November and 12 December 2023.

How and where is the payment sent?

This amount is sent by the DWP or HMRC to the same bank account where you usually receive government benefits. You can identify the payment on your bank statement by the name:

Late eligibility and backdated claims

There may be some people who applied for Pension Credit after the prescribed period, but their claim may be backdated.

• You can still get £299 if you meet the following conditions:
• You applied for Pension Credit by 5 March 2024.
• Your claim covers the period 13 November to 12 December 2023.
• This amount will be automatically sent to your account when the claim is approved.

Common reasons for not getting paid

Some of the common reasons people have not received their payments or have seen delays are:

Avoid fraud: how to stay safe?

Fake calls, emails and messages about government schemes are becoming more common. To keep yourself safe:

• The DWP or HMRC never call, text or email asking for your personal information.
• Do not click on any links that look suspicious.
• Always check the official government website for updates.
• Report any scams to Action Fraud UK.

Conclusion

The £299 aid has come as a huge relief to millions of people who are struggling with rising inflation and financial pressures. If you are eligible but have not received the money yet, follow the above tips immediately. It is important to know that while the government has made the process simple and automatic, not everyone is able to get this help due to some technical or eligibility-related issues.

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