£300 Cost of Living Boost Lands in July — Find Out If You Qualify

As the UK continues to battle rising prices in 2025, the government has announced another wave of financial relief. This time, it’s a £300 Cost of Living Payment scheduled for July 2025, targeted specifically at low-income households already receiving means-tested benefits. With essential living costs like rent, food, and energy hitting new highs, this support comes at a crucial time for millions of households across the country.

If you’re currently claiming benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, you could be on the list to automatically receive this payment without needing to fill out any forms. Here’s everything you need to know about the £300 payout — from eligibility and payment timelines to steps you should take if the funds don’t show up in your account.

Overview

Detail	Information
Payment Amount	£300
Expected Payout Date	Mid to Late July 2025
Eligibility Window	Between 5 June 2025 and 25 June 2025
Payment Method	Automatically to your usual benefit account
Application Required	No – payment is processed automatically
Administered By	Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

What Is the £300 Cost of Living Payment?

This one-off £300 support measure is part of the UK government’s wider strategy to provide relief to individuals and families facing high living costs. Managed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the payment targets people who are already on qualifying means-tested benefits during a specific assessment period.

The aim is to support lower-income groups who are more vulnerable to inflation-related pressures — whether it’s rising fuel bills, increased grocery costs, or rent hikes. The payout is meant to offer a temporary but impactful buffer during the financially demanding summer season.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, you need to have received at least one eligible benefit during the designated eligibility window from 5 June to 25 June 2025. You do not need to have received the full benefit amount — even partial or low-value payments count as long as your claim was active during that period.

Here are the qualifying benefits for the £300 payment:

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

If you received any of these during the three-week window, you’re eligible to receive the full £300, regardless of how much your benefit was.

Payment Schedule

Most eligible recipients can expect the payment to land in their usual benefit bank accounts between mid and late July 2025. While there is no confirmed single payment date, the first batch of transfers is expected to begin on or around 17 July 2025.

Because the payment is automatic, no additional action is needed from most recipients. However, it is strongly advised to check that your banking details with the DWP are up to date, especially if you’ve changed accounts recently.

Missed Your Payment?

If your payment doesn’t show up by early August, there are a few steps you should take to ensure you receive your entitled support:

1. Give It a Few Days: Government payments of this scale can experience slight delays.
2. Check Your Eligibility: Make sure you were actively receiving a qualifying benefit between 5 and 25 June 2025.
3. Confirm Your Bank Details: Double-check that your account is still the one registered with DWP.
4. Contact the DWP: If the issue persists, get in touch via the official Jobcentre Plus contact page. You’ll need your National Insurance number and benefit details ready.

Taking prompt action can ensure you don’t miss out on your £300 payment.

No Applications Needed

A major advantage of this scheme is that no application is required. The DWP will automatically cross-check records for eligible benefit recipients during the qualifying period and issue payments accordingly. This removes the risk of missing out due to forgotten paperwork or missed deadlines — you’re in line for the money simply by meeting the criteria.

FAQs